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Matsuyama S, DeFalco T. Steroid hormone signaling: multifaceted support of testicular function. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 11:1339385. [PMID: 38250327 PMCID: PMC10796553 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1339385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Embryonic development and adult physiology are dependent on the action of steroid hormones. In particular, the reproductive system is reliant on hormonal signaling to promote gonadal function and to ensure fertility. Here we will describe hormone receptor functions and their impacts on testicular function, focusing on a specific group of essential hormones: androgens, estrogens, progesterone, cortisol, and aldosterone. In addition to focusing on hormone receptor function and localization within the testis, we will highlight the effects of altered receptor signaling, including the consequences of reduced and excess signaling activity. These hormones act through various cellular pathways and receptor types, emphasizing the need for a multifaceted research approach to understand their critical roles in testicular function. Hormones exhibit intricate interactions with each other, as evidenced, for example, by the antagonistic effects of progesterone on mineralocorticoid receptors and cortisol's impact on androgens. In light of research findings in the field demonstrating an intricate interplay between hormones, a systems biology approach is crucial for a nuanced understanding of this complex hormonal network. This review can serve as a resource for further investigation into hormonal support of male reproductive health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoko Matsuyama
- Reproductive Sciences Center, Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Tony DeFalco
- Reproductive Sciences Center, Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
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2
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Grossi LC, Zaidan I, Souza JAM, Carvalho AFS, Sanches RCO, Cardoso C, Lara ES, Montuori-Andrade ACM, Bruscoli S, Marchetti MC, Riccardi C, Teixeira MM, Tavares LP, Vago JP, Sousa LP. GILZ Modulates the Recruitment of Monocytes/Macrophages Endowed with a Resolving Phenotype and Favors Resolution of Escherichia coli Infection. Cells 2023; 12:1403. [PMID: 37408237 DOI: 10.3390/cells12101403] [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: 04/16/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Macrophages are important effectors of inflammation resolution that contribute to the elimination of pathogens and apoptotic cells and restoration of homeostasis. Pre-clinical studies have evidenced the anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving actions of GILZ (glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper). Here, we evaluated the role of GILZ on the migration of mononuclear cells under nonphlogistic conditions and Escherichia coli-evoked peritonitis. TAT-GILZ (a cell-permeable GILZ-fusion protein) injection into the pleural cavity of mice induced monocyte/macrophage influx alongside increased CCL2, IL-10 and TGF-β levels. TAT-GILZ-recruited macrophages showed a regulatory phenotype, exhibiting increased expression of CD206 and YM1. During the resolving phase of E. coli-induced peritonitis, marked by an increased recruitment of mononuclear cells, lower numbers of these cells and CCL2 levels were found in the peritoneal cavity of GILZ-deficient mice (GILZ-/-) when compared to WT. In addition, GILZ-/- showed higher bacterial loads, lower apoptosis/efferocytosis counts and a lower number of macrophages with pro-resolving phenotypes. TAT-GILZ accelerated resolution of E. coli-evoked neutrophilic inflammation, which was associated with increased peritoneal numbers of monocytes/macrophages, enhanced apoptosis/efferocytosis counts and bacterial clearance through phagocytosis. Taken together, we provided evidence that GILZ modulates macrophage migration with a regulatory phenotype, inducing bacterial clearance and accelerating the resolution of peritonitis induced by E. coli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laís C Grossi
- Signaling in Inflammation Lab., Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Isabella Zaidan
- Signaling in Inflammation Lab., Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Jéssica Amanda Marques Souza
- Signaling in Inflammation Lab., Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Antônio Felipe S Carvalho
- Signaling in Inflammation Lab., Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil
- Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais/Ebserh, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo C O Sanches
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Camila Cardoso
- Signaling in Inflammation Lab., Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Edvaldo S Lara
- Signaling in Inflammation Lab., Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Ana Clara M Montuori-Andrade
- Signaling in Inflammation Lab., Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Stefano Bruscoli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Section of Pharmacology, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Marchetti
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Section of Pharmacology, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Carlo Riccardi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Section of Pharmacology, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Mauro M Teixeira
- Centro de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento de Fármacos, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Luciana P Tavares
- Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Juliana P Vago
- Experimental Rheumatology, Department of Rheumatology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Lirlândia P Sousa
- Signaling in Inflammation Lab., Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil
- Centro de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento de Fármacos, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil
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3
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Zvick J, Tarnowska-Sengül M, Ghosh A, Bundschuh N, Gjonlleshaj P, Hinte LC, Trautmann CL, Noé F, Qabrati X, Domenig SA, Kim I, Hennek T, von Meyenn F, Bar-Nur O. Exclusive generation of rat spermatozoa in sterile mice utilizing blastocyst complementation with pluripotent stem cells. Stem Cell Reports 2022; 17:1942-1958. [PMID: 35931077 PMCID: PMC9481912 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2022.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Blastocyst complementation denotes a technique that aims to generate organs, tissues, or cell types in animal chimeras via injection of pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) into genetically compromised blastocyst-stage embryos. Here, we report on successful complementation of the male germline in adult chimeras following injection of mouse or rat PSCs into mouse blastocysts carrying a mutation in Tsc22d3, an essential gene for spermatozoa production. Injection of mouse PSCs into Tsc22d3-Knockout (KO) blastocysts gave rise to intraspecies chimeras exclusively embodying PSC-derived functional spermatozoa. In addition, injection of rat embryonic stem cells (rESCs) into Tsc22d3-KO embryos produced interspecies mouse-rat chimeras solely harboring rat spermatids and spermatozoa capable of fertilizing oocytes. Furthermore, using single-cell RNA sequencing, we deconstructed rat spermatogenesis occurring in a mouse-rat chimera testis. Collectively, this study details a method for exclusive xenogeneic germ cell production in vivo, with implications that may extend to rat transgenesis, or endangered animal species conservation efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel Zvick
- Laboratory of Regenerative and Movement Biology, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Schwerzenbach 8603, Switzerland
| | - Monika Tarnowska-Sengül
- Laboratory of Regenerative and Movement Biology, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Schwerzenbach 8603, Switzerland
| | - Adhideb Ghosh
- Laboratory of Regenerative and Movement Biology, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Schwerzenbach 8603, Switzerland; Functional Genomics Center Zurich, ETH Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich 8057, Switzerland
| | - Nicola Bundschuh
- Laboratory of Regenerative and Movement Biology, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Schwerzenbach 8603, Switzerland
| | - Pjeter Gjonlleshaj
- Laboratory of Regenerative and Movement Biology, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Schwerzenbach 8603, Switzerland
| | - Laura C Hinte
- Laboratory of Nutrition and Metabolic Epigenetics, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Schwerzenbach 8603, Switzerland
| | - Christine L Trautmann
- Laboratory of Regenerative and Movement Biology, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Schwerzenbach 8603, Switzerland
| | - Falko Noé
- Laboratory of Regenerative and Movement Biology, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Schwerzenbach 8603, Switzerland; Functional Genomics Center Zurich, ETH Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich 8057, Switzerland
| | - Xhem Qabrati
- Laboratory of Regenerative and Movement Biology, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Schwerzenbach 8603, Switzerland
| | - Seraina A Domenig
- Laboratory of Regenerative and Movement Biology, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Schwerzenbach 8603, Switzerland
| | - Inseon Kim
- Laboratory of Regenerative and Movement Biology, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Schwerzenbach 8603, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Hennek
- ETH Phenomics Center, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8049, Switzerland
| | - Ferdinand von Meyenn
- Laboratory of Nutrition and Metabolic Epigenetics, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Schwerzenbach 8603, Switzerland
| | - Ori Bar-Nur
- Laboratory of Regenerative and Movement Biology, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Schwerzenbach 8603, Switzerland.
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4
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Souza JAM, Carvalho AFS, Grossi LC, Zaidan I, de Oliveira LC, Vago JP, Cardoso C, Machado MG, Souza GVS, Queiroz-Junior CM, Morand EF, Bruscoli S, Riccardi C, Teixeira MM, Tavares LP, Sousa LP. Glucocorticoid-Induced Leucine Zipper Alleviates Lung Inflammation and Enhances Bacterial Clearance During Pneumococcal Pneumonia. Cells 2022; 11:cells11030532. [PMID: 35159341 PMCID: PMC8834062 DOI: 10.3390/cells11030532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Pneumonia is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. While inflammation is a host protective response that ensures bacterial clearance, a finely regulated response is necessary to prevent bystander tissue damage. Glucocorticoid (GC)-induced leucine zipper (GILZ) is a GC-induced protein with anti-inflammatory and proresolving bioactions, yet the therapeutical role of GILZ in infectious diseases remains unexplored. Herein, we investigate the role and effects of GILZ during acute lung injury (ALI) induced by LPS and Streptococcus pneumoniae infection. GILZ deficient mice (GILZ−/−) presented more severe ALI, characterized by increased inflammation, decreased macrophage efferocytosis and pronounced lung damage. In contrast, pulmonary inflammation, and damage were attenuated in WT mice treated with TAT-GILZ fusion protein. During pneumococcal pneumonia, TAT-GILZ reduced neutrophilic inflammation and prevented the associated lung damage. There was also enhanced macrophage efferocytosis and bacterial clearance in TAT-GILZ-treated mice. Mechanistically, TAT-GILZ enhanced macrophage phagocytosis of pneumococcus, which was lower in GILZ−/− macrophages. Noteworthy, early treatment with TAT-GILZ rescued 30% of S. pneumoniae-infected mice from lethal pneumonia. Altogether, we present evidence that TAT-GILZ enhances host resilience and resistance to pneumococcal pneumonia by controlling pulmonary inflammation and bacterial loads leading to decreased lethality. Exploiting GILZ pathways holds promise for the treatment of severe respiratory infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jéssica Amanda Marques Souza
- Signaling in Inflammation Laboratory, Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil; (J.A.M.S.); (A.F.S.C.); (L.C.G.); (I.Z.); (C.C.); (M.G.M.); (G.V.S.S.)
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Antônio Felipe S. Carvalho
- Signaling in Inflammation Laboratory, Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil; (J.A.M.S.); (A.F.S.C.); (L.C.G.); (I.Z.); (C.C.); (M.G.M.); (G.V.S.S.)
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Lais C. Grossi
- Signaling in Inflammation Laboratory, Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil; (J.A.M.S.); (A.F.S.C.); (L.C.G.); (I.Z.); (C.C.); (M.G.M.); (G.V.S.S.)
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Isabella Zaidan
- Signaling in Inflammation Laboratory, Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil; (J.A.M.S.); (A.F.S.C.); (L.C.G.); (I.Z.); (C.C.); (M.G.M.); (G.V.S.S.)
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Camilo de Oliveira
- Centro de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento de Fármacos, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil; (L.C.d.O.); (C.M.Q.-J.); (M.M.T.)
| | - Juliana P. Vago
- Experimental Rheumatology, Department of Rheumatology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands;
| | - Camila Cardoso
- Signaling in Inflammation Laboratory, Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil; (J.A.M.S.); (A.F.S.C.); (L.C.G.); (I.Z.); (C.C.); (M.G.M.); (G.V.S.S.)
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Marina G. Machado
- Signaling in Inflammation Laboratory, Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil; (J.A.M.S.); (A.F.S.C.); (L.C.G.); (I.Z.); (C.C.); (M.G.M.); (G.V.S.S.)
- Centro de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento de Fármacos, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil; (L.C.d.O.); (C.M.Q.-J.); (M.M.T.)
| | - Geovanna V. Santos Souza
- Signaling in Inflammation Laboratory, Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil; (J.A.M.S.); (A.F.S.C.); (L.C.G.); (I.Z.); (C.C.); (M.G.M.); (G.V.S.S.)
| | - Celso Martins Queiroz-Junior
- Centro de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento de Fármacos, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil; (L.C.d.O.); (C.M.Q.-J.); (M.M.T.)
| | - Eric F. Morand
- Rheumatology Group, Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Melbourne 3168, Australia;
| | - Stefano Bruscoli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Section of Pharmacology, University of Perugia, 06156 Perugia, Italy; (S.B.); (C.R.)
| | - Carlo Riccardi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Section of Pharmacology, University of Perugia, 06156 Perugia, Italy; (S.B.); (C.R.)
| | - Mauro M. Teixeira
- Centro de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento de Fármacos, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil; (L.C.d.O.); (C.M.Q.-J.); (M.M.T.)
| | - Luciana P. Tavares
- Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA;
| | - Lirlândia P. Sousa
- Signaling in Inflammation Laboratory, Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil; (J.A.M.S.); (A.F.S.C.); (L.C.G.); (I.Z.); (C.C.); (M.G.M.); (G.V.S.S.)
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil
- Centro de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento de Fármacos, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil; (L.C.d.O.); (C.M.Q.-J.); (M.M.T.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +55-31-3409-6883
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Bruscoli S, Riccardi C, Ronchetti S. GILZ as a Regulator of Cell Fate and Inflammation. Cells 2021; 11:cells11010122. [PMID: 35011684 PMCID: PMC8750894 DOI: 10.3390/cells11010122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the human body’s initial responses to stress is the adrenal response, involving the release of mediators that include adrenaline and glucocorticoids (GC). GC are involved in controlling the inflammatory and immune response mechanisms. Of these, the molecular mechanisms that contribute to anti-inflammatory effects warrant more investigation. Previously, we found that GC induced GILZ (glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper) quickly and widely in thymocytes, T lymphocytes, and other leukocytes. GILZ regulates the activation of cells and is an essential mediator of endogenous GC and the majority of GC anti-inflammatory effects. Further research in this regard could lead to the development of an anti-inflammatory treatment that yields the therapeutic outcomes of GC but without their characteristic adverse effects. Here, we examine the mechanisms of GILZ in the context of GC. Specifically, we review its role in the proliferation and differentiation of cells and in apoptosis. We also examine its involvement in immune cells (macrophages, neutrophils, dendritic cells, T and B lymphocytes), and in non-immune cells, including cancer cells. In conclusion, GILZ is an anti-inflammatory molecule that could mediate the immunomodulatory activities of GC, with less adverse effects, and could be a target molecule for designing new therapies to treat inflammatory diseases.
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Wang X, Qu M, Li Z, Long Y, Hong K, Li H. Valproic acid promotes the in vitro differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells into spermatogonial stem cell-like cells. Stem Cell Res Ther 2021; 12:553. [PMID: 34715904 PMCID: PMC8555208 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-021-02621-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Studying human germ cell development and male infertility is heavily relied on mouse models. In vitro differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells into spermatogonial stem cell-like cells (SSCLCs) can be used as a model to study human germ cells and infertility. The current study aimed to develop the SSCLC induction protocol and assess the effects of the developed protocol on SSCLC induction. Methods We examined the effects of valproic acid (VPA), vitamin C (VC) and the combination of VPA and VC on the SSCLC induction efficiency and determined the expression of spermatogonial genes of differentiated cells. Haploid cells and cells expressed meiotic genes were also detected. RNA-seq analysis was performed to compare the transcriptome between cells at 0 and 12 days of differentiation and differently expressed genes were confirmed by RT-qPCR. We further evaluated the alteration in histone marks (H3K9ac and H3K27me3) at 12 days of differentiation. Moreover, the SSCLC induction efficiency of two hiPSC lines of non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) patients was assessed using different induction protocols. Results The combination of low concentrations of VPA and VC in the induction medium was most effective to induce SSCLCs expressing several spermatogonial genes from human pluripotent stem cells at 12 days of differentiation. The high concentration of VPA was more effective to induce cells expressing meiotic genes and haploid cells. RNA-seq analysis revealed that the induction of SSCLC involved the upregulated genes in Wnt signaling pathway, and cells at 12 days of differentiation showed increased H3K9ac and decreased H3K27me3. Additionally, two hiPSC lines of NOA patients showed low SSCLC induction efficiency and decreased expression of genes in Wnt signaling pathway. Conclusions VPA robustly promoted the differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells into SSCLCs, which involved the upregulated genes in Wnt signaling pathway and epigenetic changes. hiPSCs from NOA patients showed decreased SSCLC induction efficiency and Wnt signaling pathway gene expression, suggesting that SSC depletion in azoospermia testes might be associated with inactivation of Wnt signaling pathway. Our developed SSCLC induction protocol provides a reliable tool and model to study human germ cell development and male infertility. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13287-021-02621-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotong Wang
- Institute of Reproductive Health/Center of Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Mengyuan Qu
- Institute of Reproductive Health/Center of Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Zili Li
- Institute of Reproductive Health/Center of Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Yuting Long
- Wuhan Tongji Reproductive Hospital, Wuhan, 430013, China
| | - Kai Hong
- Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China.
| | - Honggang Li
- Institute of Reproductive Health/Center of Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China. .,Wuhan Tongji Reproductive Hospital, Wuhan, 430013, China.
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7
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Kuo CE, Chen YM. Characterization of gonadal glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper (GILZ) protein expression during sex change in the protogynous orange-spotted grouper, Epinephelus coioides. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2020; 242:110416. [PMID: 32017989 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2020.110416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2019] [Revised: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Steroid hormones have been proven as a key drive of sex change in sequentially hermaphroditic organisms. However, the upstream mechanism of sex steroid hormones regulation that affect sex change remain unknown. The main glucocorticoid in teleost fish is cortisol, which both regulates steroidogenesis and has antistress action. Thus, cortisol might be one of the prime factors in sex change. In this study, the glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper (GILZ) gene, was proven to have a dramatic effect in orange-spotted groupers (Epinephelus coioides) during sex change at the early stage of gonadal transition. The specific action of the GILZ protein is at the pouch-shaped proliferative spermatogonia instead of the degenerative oocyte at the onset of sex change. Immunohistochemical (IHC) evidence revealed that GILZ performs intensively at undifferentiated spermatogonia in the early testis stage. These results imply that cortisol provokes a rise of GILZ through regulation caused by steroid hormones leading to sex change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cham-En Kuo
- Department of Nursing, Tzu Hui Institute of Technology, Pingtung 92641, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Young-Mao Chen
- Bachelor Degree Program in Marine Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung 20224, Taiwan, ROC; Center of Excellence for the Oceans, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung 20224, Taiwan, ROC.
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8
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Sevilla LM, Pérez P. Glucocorticoids and Glucocorticoid-Induced-Leucine-Zipper (GILZ) in Psoriasis. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2220. [PMID: 31572404 PMCID: PMC6753639 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Psoriasis is a prevalent chronic inflammatory human disease initiated by impaired function of immune cells and epidermal keratinocytes, resulting in increased cytokine production and hyperproliferation, leading to skin lesions. Overproduction of Th1- and Th17-cytokines including interferon (IFN)-γ, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-23, IL-17, and IL-22, is a major driver of the disease. Glucocorticoids (GCs) represent the mainstay protocol for treating psoriasis as they modulate epidermal differentiation and are potent anti-inflammatory compounds. The development of safer GC-based therapies is a high priority due to potentially severe adverse effects associated with prolonged GC use. Specific efforts have focused on downstream anti-inflammatory effectors of GC-signaling such as GC-Induced-Leucine-Zipper (GILZ), which suppresses Th17 responses and antagonizes multiple pro-inflammatory signaling pathways involved in psoriasis, including AP-1, NF-κB, STAT3, and ROR-γt. Here we review evidence regarding defective GC signaling, GC receptor (GR) function, and GILZ in psoriasis. We discuss seemingly contradicting data on the loss- and gain-of-function of GILZ in the imiquimod-induced mouse model of psoriasis. We also present potential therapeutic strategies aimed to restore GC-related pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M Sevilla
- Animal Models of Skin Pathologies Unit, Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia (IBV)-CSIC, Valencia, Spain
| | - Paloma Pérez
- Animal Models of Skin Pathologies Unit, Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia (IBV)-CSIC, Valencia, Spain
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9
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Zhou H, Zeng Z, Koentgen F, Khan M, Mombaerts P. The testicular soma of Tsc22d3 knockout mice supports spermatogenesis and germline transmission from spermatogonial stem cell lines upon transplantation. Genesis 2019; 57:e23295. [PMID: 31001916 PMCID: PMC6617806 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.23295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Revised: 02/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are adult stem cells that are slowly cycling and self-renewing. The pool of SSCs generates very large numbers of male gametes throughout the life of the individual. SSCs can be cultured in vitro for long periods of time, and established SSC lines can be manipulated genetically. Upon transplantation into the testes of infertile mice, long-term cultured mouse SSCs can differentiate into fertile spermatozoa, which can give rise to live offspring. Here, we show that the testicular soma of mice with a conditional knockout (conKO) in the X-linked gene Tsc22d3 supports spermatogenesis and germline transmission from cultured mouse SSCs upon transplantation. Infertile males were produced by crossing homozygous Tsc22d3 floxed females with homozygous ROSA26-Cre males. We obtained 96 live offspring from six long-term cultured SSC lines with the aid of intracytoplasmic sperm injection. We advocate the further optimization of Tsc22d3-conKO males as recipients for testis transplantation of SSC lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai Zhou
- Max Planck Research Unit for Neurogenetics, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Zhen Zeng
- Max Planck Research Unit for Neurogenetics, Frankfurt, Germany
| | | | - Mona Khan
- Max Planck Research Unit for Neurogenetics, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Peter Mombaerts
- Max Planck Research Unit for Neurogenetics, Frankfurt, Germany
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10
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La HM, Chan AL, Legrand JMD, Rossello FJ, Gangemi CG, Papa A, Cheng Q, Morand EF, Hobbs RM. GILZ-dependent modulation of mTORC1 regulates spermatogonial maintenance. Development 2018; 145:dev.165324. [PMID: 30126904 DOI: 10.1242/dev.165324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Male fertility is dependent on spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) that self-renew and produce differentiating germ cells. Growth factors produced within the testis are essential for SSC maintenance but intrinsic factors that dictate the SSC response to these stimuli are poorly characterised. Here, we have studied the role of GILZ, a TSC22D family protein and spermatogenesis regulator, in spermatogonial function and signalling. Although broadly expressed in the germline, GILZ was prominent in undifferentiated spermatogonia and Gilz deletion in adults resulted in exhaustion of the GFRα1+ SSC-containing population and germline degeneration. GILZ loss was associated with mTORC1 activation, suggesting enhanced growth factor signalling. Expression of deubiquitylase USP9X, an mTORC1 modulator required for spermatogenesis, was disrupted in Gilz mutants. Treatment with an mTOR inhibitor rescued GFRα1+ spermatogonial failure, indicating that GILZ-dependent mTORC1 inhibition is crucial for SSC maintenance. Analysis of cultured undifferentiated spermatogonia lacking GILZ confirmed aberrant activation of ERK MAPK upstream mTORC1 plus USP9X downregulation and interaction of GILZ with TSC22D proteins. Our data indicate an essential role for GILZ-TSC22D complexes in ensuring the appropriate response of undifferentiated spermatogonia to growth factors via distinct inputs to mTORC1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hue M La
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia.,Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Ai-Leen Chan
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia.,Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Julien M D Legrand
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia.,Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Fernando J Rossello
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia.,Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Christina G Gangemi
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia.,Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Antonella Papa
- Cancer Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Qiang Cheng
- Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Eric F Morand
- Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Robin M Hobbs
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia .,Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia
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11
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Koentgen F, Lin J, Katidou M, Chang I, Khan M, Watts J, Mombaerts P. Exclusive transmission of the embryonic stem cell-derived genome through the mouse germline. Genesis 2016; 54:326-33. [PMID: 27012318 PMCID: PMC5084746 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.22938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2016] [Revised: 03/15/2016] [Accepted: 03/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Gene targeting in embryonic stem (ES) cells remains best practice for introducing complex mutations into the mouse germline. One aspect in this multistep process that has not been streamlined with regard to the logistics and ethics of mouse breeding is the efficiency of germline transmission: the transmission of the ES cell‐derived genome through the germline of chimeras to their offspring. A method whereby male chimeras transmit exclusively the genome of the injected ES cells to their offspring has been developed. The new technology, referred to as goGermline, entails injecting ES cells into blastocysts produced by superovulated homozygous Tsc22d3 floxed females mated with homozygous ROSA26‐Cre males. This cross produces males that are sterile due to a complete cell‐autonomous defect in spermatogenesis. The resulting male chimeras can be sterile but when fertile, they transmit the ES cell‐derived genome to 100% of their offspring. The method was validated extensively and in two laboratories for gene‐targeted ES clones that were derived from the commonly used parental ES cell lines Bruce4, E14, and JM8A3. The complete elimination of the collateral birth of undesired, non‐ES cell‐derived offspring in goGermline technology fulfills the reduction imperative of the 3R principle of humane experimental technique with animals. genesis 54:326–333, 2016. © 2016 The Authors. Genesis Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Koentgen
- Ozgene Pty Ltd, Bentley, Western Australia, 6983, Australia
| | - Jiangwei Lin
- Max Planck Research Unit for Neurogenetics, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 4, Frankfurt, 60438, Germany
| | - Markella Katidou
- Max Planck Research Unit for Neurogenetics, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 4, Frankfurt, 60438, Germany
| | - Isabelle Chang
- Max Planck Research Unit for Neurogenetics, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 4, Frankfurt, 60438, Germany
| | - Mona Khan
- Max Planck Research Unit for Neurogenetics, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 4, Frankfurt, 60438, Germany
| | - Jacqui Watts
- Ozgene Pty Ltd, Bentley, Western Australia, 6983, Australia
| | - Peter Mombaerts
- Max Planck Research Unit for Neurogenetics, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 4, Frankfurt, 60438, Germany
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12
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Chihara M, Yoshihara K, Ishiguro T, Adachi S, Okada H, Kashima K, Sato T, Tanaka A, Tanaka K, Enomoto T. Association of NR3C1/Glucocorticoid Receptor gene SNP with azoospermia in Japanese men. J Obstet Gynaecol Res 2015; 42:59-66. [PMID: 26556219 DOI: 10.1111/jog.12877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2015] [Accepted: 08/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
AIM The molecular pathogenesis of non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) is unclear. Our aim was to identify the genetic susceptibility for NOA in Japanese men by using a combination of transcriptome network analysis and SNP genotyping. MATERIAL AND METHODS We searched for candidate genes using RNA transcriptome network analysis of 2611 NOA-related genes that we had previously reported. We analyzed candidate genes for disease linkage with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the genomes of 335 Japanese men with NOA and 410 healthy controls using SNP-specific real-time polymerase chain reaction TaqMan assays. RESULTS Three candidate genes (NR3C1, YBX2, and BCL2) were identified by the transcriptome network analysis, each with three SNP. Allele frequency analysis of the nine SNP indicated a significantly higher frequency of the NR3C1 rs852977 G allele in NOA cases compared with controls (corrected P = 5.7e-15; odds ratio = 3.20; 95% confidence interval, 2.40-4.26). The other eight candidate polymorphisms showed no significant association. CONCLUSION The NR3C1 rs852977 polymorphism is a potential marker for genetic susceptibility to NOA in Japanese men. Further studies are necessary to clarify the association between the NR3C1 polymorphism and alterations of glucocorticoid signaling pathway leading to male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makoto Chihara
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
| | - Kosuke Yoshihara
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Ishiguro
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
| | - Sosuke Adachi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Okada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Joetsu General Hospital, Joetsu, Japan
| | - Katsunori Kashima
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
| | - Takaaki Sato
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tachikawa Hospital, Nagaoka, Japan
| | | | - Kenichi Tanaka
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan.,Niigata Medical Center Hospital, Niigata, Japan
| | - Takayuki Enomoto
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
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13
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A focused Real Time PCR strategy to determine GILZ expression in mouse tissues. RESULTS IN IMMUNOLOGY 2015; 5:37-42. [PMID: 26697291 PMCID: PMC4664734 DOI: 10.1016/j.rinim.2015.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2015] [Revised: 09/15/2015] [Accepted: 10/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Glucocorticoid-Induced Leucine Zipper (GILZ) is a glucocorticoid-inducible gene that mediates glucocorticoid anti-inflammatory effects. GILZ and the isoform L-GILZ are expressed in a variety of cell types, especially of hematopoietic origin, including macrophages, lymphocytes and epithelial cells, and strongly upregulated upon glucocorticoid treatment. A quantitative analysis of GILZ expression in mouse tissues is technically difficult to perform because of the presence of a pseudogene and the high homology of GILZ gene with other genes of TSC22 family. We here propose specific primer pairs to be used in Real Time PCR to avoid unwanted amplification of GILZ pseudogene and TSC-22 family member d1iso3. These primer pairs were used to determine GILZ and L-GILZ expression, in either untreated or in vivo and in vitro dexamethasone-treated tissues. Results indicate that GILZ and L-GILZ are upregulated by glucocorticoids, being GILZ more sensitive to glucocorticoid induction than L-GILZ, but they are differently expressed in all examined tissues, confirming a different role in specific cells. An inappropriate primer pair amplified also GILZ pseudogene and TSC22d1iso3, thus producing misleading results. This quantitative evaluation may be used to better characterize the role of GILZ and L-GILZ in mice and may be translated to humans.
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14
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Di-Luoffo M, Daems C, Bergeron F, Tremblay JJ. Novel Targets for the Transcription Factors MEF2 in MA-10 Leydig Cells. Biol Reprod 2015; 93:9. [PMID: 26019261 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.114.127761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2014] [Accepted: 05/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Testosterone production by Leydig cells is a tightly regulated process requiring synchronized expression of several steroidogenic genes by numerous transcription factors. Myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2) are transcription factors recently identified in somatic cells of the male gonad. In other tissues, MEF2 factors are essential regulators of organogenesis and cell differentiation. So far in the testis, MEF2 factors were found to regulate Leydig cell steroidogenesis by controlling Nr4a1 and Star gene expression. To expand our understanding of the role of MEF2 in Leydig cells, we performed microarray analyses of MEF2-depleted MA-10 Leydig cells, and the results were analyzed using Partek and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis software. Several genes were differentially expressed in MEF2-depleted Leydig cells, and 16 were validated by quantitative RT-PCR. A large number of these genes are known to be involved in fertility, gonad morphology, and steroidogenesis. These include Ahr, Bmal1, Cyp1b1, Hsd3b1, Hsd17b7, Map2k1, Nr0b2, Pde8a, Por, Smad4, Star, and Tsc22d3, which were all downregulated in the absence of MEF2. In silico analyses revealed the presence of MEF2-binding sites within the first 2 kb upstream of the transcription start site of the Por, Bmal1, and Nr0b2 promoters, suggesting direct regulation by MEF2. Using transient transfections in MA-10 Leydig cells, small interfering RNA knockdown, and a MEF2-Engrailed dominant negative, we found that MEF2 activates the Por, Bmal1, and Nr0b2 promoters and that this requires an intact MEF2 element. Our results identify novel target genes for MEF2 and define MEF2 as an important regulator of Leydig cell function and male reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mickaël Di-Luoffo
- Reproduction, Mother and Child Health, Centre de recherche du centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Caroline Daems
- Reproduction, Mother and Child Health, Centre de recherche du centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Francis Bergeron
- Reproduction, Mother and Child Health, Centre de recherche du centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Jacques J Tremblay
- Reproduction, Mother and Child Health, Centre de recherche du centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec, Québec City, Québec, Canada Centre de recherche en biologie de la reproduction, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
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15
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Venanzi A, Di Sante M, Bruscoli S, Biagioli M, Sorcini D, Cimino M, Frammartino T, Bereshchenko O, Franconi F, Riccardi C. Recombinant long-glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper (L-GILZ) protein restores the control of proliferation in gilz KO spermatogonia. Eur J Pharm Sci 2014; 63:22-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2014.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2013] [Revised: 05/28/2014] [Accepted: 06/22/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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16
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Ayroldi E, Macchiarulo A, Riccardi C. Targeting glucocorticoid side effects: selective glucocorticoid receptor modulator or glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper? A perspective. FASEB J 2014; 28:5055-70. [PMID: 25205742 DOI: 10.1096/fj.14-254755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Glucocorticoids (GCs) are steroid hormones that are necessary for life and important in health and disease. They regulate crucial homeostatic functions, including metabolism, cell growth, and development. Although GCs are regulated by circadian rhythm, increased production is associated with stress. Synthetic GCs are a valuable resource for anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive therapy. Natural and synthetic GCs transduce signals mainly through GC receptor (GR) activation. Extensive research has explored the downstream targets of the GR, and optimization of GC therapy has required collaborative efforts. One highly promising approach involves new dissociative GR modulators. Because transrepression and transactivation of GR genes induce beneficial and adverse effects, respectively, this approach favors transrepression. Another approach involves the use of GC-dependent genes to generate proteins to mediate therapeutic GC effects. In a third approach, drug discovery is used to identify agents that selectively target GR isoforms to obtain differential gene transcription and effects. In this review, we focus on mechanisms of GR function compatible with the use of dissociative drugs. We highlight GC-induced leucine zipper (GILZ), a gene cloned in our laboratory, as a mediator of GC anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects, to outline our perspective on the future of GC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emira Ayroldi
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pharmacology, and
| | - Antonio Macchiarulo
- Department of Chemistry and Drug Technology, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
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17
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Identification and characterization of germ cell genes expressed in the F9 testicular teratoma stem cell line. PLoS One 2014; 9:e103837. [PMID: 25153150 PMCID: PMC4143169 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0103837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2014] [Accepted: 07/02/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The F9 cell line, which was derived from a mouse testicular teratoma that originated from pluripotent germ cells, has been used as a model for differentiation. However, it is largely unknown whether F9 cells possess the characteristics of male germ cells. In the present study, we investigated spermatogenic stage- and cell type-specific gene expression in F9 cells. Analysis of previous microarray data showed that a large number of stage-regulated germ cell genes are expressed in F9 cells. Specifically, genes that are prominently expressed in spermatogonia and have transcriptional regulatory functions appear to be enriched in F9 cells. Our in silico and in vitro analyses identified several germ cell-specific or -predominant genes that are expressed in F9 cells. Among them, strong promoter activities were observed in the regions upstream of the spermatogonial genes, Dmrt1 (doublesex and mab-3 related transcription factor 1), Stra8 (stimulated by retinoic acid gene 8) and Tex13 (testis expressed gene 13), in F9 cells. A detailed analysis of the Tex13 promoter allowed us to identify an enhancer and a region that is implicated in germ cell-specificity. We also found that Tex13 expression is regulated by DNA methylation. Finally, analysis of GFP (green fluorescent protein) TEX13 localization revealed that the protein distributes heterogeneously in the cytoplasm and nucleus, suggesting that TEX13 shuttles between these two compartments. Taken together, our results demonstrate that F9 cells express numerous spermatogonial genes and could be used for transcriptional studies focusing on such genes. As an example of this, we use F9 cells to provide comprehensive expressional information about Tex13, and report that this gene appears to encode a germ cell-specific protein that functions in the nucleus during early spermatogenesis.
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18
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Cheng Q, Morand E, Yang YH. Development of novel treatment strategies for inflammatory diseases-similarities and divergence between glucocorticoids and GILZ. Front Pharmacol 2014; 5:169. [PMID: 25100999 PMCID: PMC4102084 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2014.00169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2014] [Accepted: 06/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoids (GC) are the most commonly prescribed medications for patients with inflammatory diseases, despite their well-known adverse metabolic effects. Previously, it was understood that the anti-inflammatory effects of the GC/GC receptor (GR) complex were mediated via transrepression, whilst the adverse metabolic effects were mediated via transactivation. It has recently become clear that this “divergent actions” paradigm of GC actions is likely insufficient. It has been reported that the GC/GR-mediated transactivation also contributes to the anti-inflammatory actions of GC, via up-regulation of key anti-inflammatory proteins. One of these is glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper (GILZ), which inhibits inflammatory responses in a number of important immune cell lineages in vitro, as well as in animal models of inflammatory diseases in vivo. This review aims to compare the GILZ and GC effects on specific cell lineages and animal models of inflammatory diseases. The fact that the actions of GILZ permit a GILZ-based gene therapy to lack GC-like adverse effects presents the potential for development of new strategies to treat patients with inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Cheng
- Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, Department of Medicine, Southern Clinical School, Monash University Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash Medical Centre Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Eric Morand
- Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, Department of Medicine, Southern Clinical School, Monash University Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash Medical Centre Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Yuan Hang Yang
- Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, Department of Medicine, Southern Clinical School, Monash University Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash Medical Centre Clayton, VIC, Australia
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19
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Abstract
Spermatogenesis originates from spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). Development of the spermatogonial transplantation technique in 1994 provided the first functional assay to characterize SSCs. In 2000, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor was identified as a SSC self-renewal factor. This discovery not only provided a clue to understand SSC self-renewing mechanisms but also made it possible to derive germline stem (GS) cell cultures in 2003. In vitro culture of GS cells demonstrated their potential pluripotency and their utility in germline modification. However, in vivo SSC analyses have challenged the traditional concept of SSC self-renewal and have revealed their relationship with the microenvironment. An improved understanding of SSC self-renewal through functional assays promises to uncover fundamental principles of stem cell biology and will enable us to use these cells for applications in animal transgenesis and medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mito Kanatsu-Shinohara
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan; ,
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20
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Jamsai D, Grealy A, Stahl PJ, Schlegel PN, McLachlan RI, Morand E, O'Bryan MK. Genetic variants in the human glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper (GILZ) gene in fertile and infertile men. Andrology 2013; 1:451-5. [DOI: 10.1111/j.2047-2927.2013.00076.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2012] [Revised: 12/20/2012] [Accepted: 01/21/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- D. Jamsai
- The Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology; School of Biomedical Sciences; Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences; Monash University; Melbourne; Vic.; Australia
| | - A. Grealy
- The Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology; School of Biomedical Sciences; Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences; Monash University; Melbourne; Vic.; Australia
| | - P. J. Stahl
- Department of Urology; Weill Cornell Medical College; New York; NY; USA
| | - P. N. Schlegel
- Department of Urology; Weill Cornell Medical College; New York; NY; USA
| | | | - E. Morand
- Centre for Inflammatory Diseases; Southern Clinical School; Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences; Monash Medical Centre; Melbourne; Vic.; Australia
| | - M. K. O'Bryan
- The Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology; School of Biomedical Sciences; Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences; Monash University; Melbourne; Vic.; Australia
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21
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Ngo D, Cheng Q, O′Connor AE, DeBoer KD, Lo CY, Beaulieu E, De Seram M, Hobbs RM, O′Bryan MK, Morand EF. Glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper (GILZ) regulates testicular FOXO1 activity and spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) function. PLoS One 2013; 8:e59149. [PMID: 23516608 PMCID: PMC3597624 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0059149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2012] [Accepted: 02/12/2013] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Spermatogonia stem cell (SSC) self-renewal and differentiation are tightly regulated processes that ensure a continued production of mature sperm throughout male adulthood. In the present study, we investigated the role of glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper (GILZ) in maintenance of the male germline and spermatogenesis. GILZ was detectable in germ cells of wild type mice on the day of birth, suggesting a role for GILZ in prospermatogonia and SSC pool formation. Gilz KO mice were generated and adult males were azoospermic and sterile. During the first wave of spermatogenesis in Gilz KO mice, spermatogenesis arrested part way through pachytene of meiosis I. Subsequent waves resulted in a progressive depletion of germ cells through apoptosis to ultimately produce a Sertoli cell-only phenotype. Further, in contrast to wild type littermates, PLZF+ cells were detected in the peri-luminal region of Gilz KO mice at day 6 post-natal, suggesting a defect in prospermatogonia migration in the absence of GILZ. At age 30 days, transient accumulation of PLZF+ cells in a subset of tubules and severely compromised spermatogenesis were observed in Gilz KO mice, consistent with defective SSC differentiation. GILZ deficiency was associated with an increase in FOXO1 transcriptional activity, which leads to activation of a selective set of FOXO1 target genes, including a pro-apoptotic protein, BIM. On the other hand, no evidence of a heightened immune response was observed. Together, these results suggest that GILZ suppresses FOXO1 nuclear translocation, promotes SSC differentiation over self-renewal, and favours germ cell survival through inhibition of BIM-dependent pro-apoptotic signals. These findings provide a mechanism for the effects of GILZ on spermatogenesis and strengthen the case for GILZ being a critical molecule in the regulation of male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devi Ngo
- Department of Medicine, Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, Monash Medical Centre, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Qiang Cheng
- Department of Medicine, Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, Monash Medical Centre, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- * E-mail: (QC); (EM)
| | - Anne E. O′Connor
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kathleen D. DeBoer
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Camden Y. Lo
- Monash Micro Imaging, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Elaine Beaulieu
- Department of Medicine, Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, Monash Medical Centre, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mia De Seram
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Robin M. Hobbs
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Moira K. O′Bryan
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Eric F. Morand
- Department of Medicine, Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, Monash Medical Centre, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- * E-mail: (QC); (EM)
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22
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Ayroldi E, Cannarile L, Migliorati G, Nocentini G, Delfino DV, Riccardi C. Mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory effects of glucocorticoids: genomic and nongenomic interference with MAPK signaling pathways. FASEB J 2012; 26:4805-20. [PMID: 22954589 DOI: 10.1096/fj.12-216382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Glucocorticoids (GCs) are steroid hormones produced by the adrenal gland and regulated by the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis. GCs mediate effects that mostly result in transcriptional regulation of glucocorticoid receptor target genes. Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) comprise a family of signaling proteins that convert extracellular stimuli into the activation of intracellular transduction pathways via phosphorylation of a cascade of substrates. They modulate a variety of physiological cell processes, such as proliferation, apoptosis, and development. However, when MAPKs are improperly activated by proinflammatory and/or extracellular stress stimuli, they contribute to the regulation of proinflammatory transcription factors, thus perpetuating activation of the inflammatory cascade. One of the mechanisms by which GCs exert their anti-inflammatory effects is negative interference with MAPK signaling pathways. Several functional interactions between GCs and MAPK signaling have been discovered and studied. Some of these interactions involve the GC-mediated up-regulation of proteins that in turn interfere with the activation of MAPK, such as glucocorticoid-induced-leucine zipper, MAPK phosphatase-1, and annexin-1. Other mechanisms include activated GR directly interacting with components of the MAPK pathway and negatively regulating their activation. The multiple interactions between GCs and MAPK pathways and their potential biological relevance in mediating the anti-inflammatory effects of GCs are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emira Ayroldi
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Via del Giochetto, 06122 Perugia, Italy.
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