1
|
Jiang D, Yang Y, Han X, Li Q, Li P, Xu Y, Chao L. Fluorene-9-bisphenol impaired male fertility through disrupting the testicular function and local microenvironment. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 284:116880. [PMID: 39142115 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2024] [Revised: 08/02/2024] [Accepted: 08/10/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024]
Abstract
Past studies have observed that BHPF induces multi-organ toxicity, however, whether it induces damage to male reproductive system and the specific mechanism remains unclear. In the present study, male mice were given 0, 2, 10 or 50 mg/kg/day of BHPF by gavage for 35 days to observe its effect on reproductive organ and sperm quality. The results indicated that BHPF decreased sperm count and sperm motility in a dose-dependent manner. Besides, our results demonstrated that BHPF triggered the proliferation inhibition and cell death of germ cells in vivo and in vitro. Also, BHPF reduced the expression of function markers for germ cells, Sertoli cells, and Leydig cells, indicating its damage to function of testis cells. Simultaneously, testicular microenvironment was found to be altered by BHPF, as presented with declined testosterone level and decreased expression of local microenvironment regulators. Overall, our findings indicated the detrimental effects of BHPF on male reproductive function in mice, suggesting testicular function and local microenvironment disturbance as mechanism underlying testicular damage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Danni Jiang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 107 Wenhua West Road, Ji'nan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 107 Wenhua West Road, Ji'nan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Xiaojuan Han
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 107 Wenhua West Road, Ji'nan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Qianni Li
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 107 Wenhua West Road, Ji'nan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Pengfei Li
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 107 Wenhua West Road, Ji'nan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Yang Xu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Linyi People's Hospital, Shandong University, No. 27, East Section of Jiefang Road, Lin'yi, Shandong 276003, China
| | - Lan Chao
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 107 Wenhua West Road, Ji'nan, Shandong 250012, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Jiang H, Wang Y, Yin C, Pan H, Chen L, Feng K, Chang Y, Sun H. SLIVER: Unveiling large scale gene regulatory networks of single-cell transcriptomic data through causal structure learning and modules aggregation. Comput Biol Med 2024; 178:108690. [PMID: 38879931 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2024.108690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2024] [Revised: 05/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Prevalent Gene Regulatory Network (GRN) construction methods rely on generalized correlation analysis. However, in biological systems, regulation is essentially a causal relationship that cannot be adequately captured solely through correlation. Therefore, it is more reasonable to infer GRNs from a causal perspective. Existing causal discovery algorithms typically rely on Directed Acyclic Graphs (DAGs) to model causal relationships, but it often requires traversing the entire network, which result in computational demands skyrocketing as the number of nodes grows and make causal discovery algorithms only suitable for small networks with one or two hundred nodes or fewer. In this study, we propose the SLIVER (cauSaL dIscovery Via dimEnsionality Reduction) algorithm which integrates causal structural equation model and graph decomposition. SLIVER introduces a set of factor nodes, serving as abstractions of different functional modules to integrate the regulatory relationships between genes based on their respective functions or pathways, thus reducing the GRN to the product of two low-dimensional matrices. Subsequently, we employ the structural causal model (SCM) to learn the GRN within the gene node space, enforce the DAG constraint in the low-dimensional space, and guide each factor to aggregate various functions through cosine similarity. We evaluate the performance of the SLIVER algorithm on 12 real single cell transcriptomic datasets, and demonstrate it outperforms other 12 widely used methods both in GRN inference performance and computational resource usage. The analysis of the gene information integrated by factor nodes also demonstrate the biological explanation of factor nodes in GRNs. We apply it to scRNA-seq of Type 2 diabetes mellitus to capture the transcriptional regulatory structural changes of β cells under high insulin demand.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongyang Jiang
- School of Artificial Intelligence, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Yuezhu Wang
- School of Artificial Intelligence, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Chaoyi Yin
- School of Artificial Intelligence, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Hao Pan
- College of Software, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Liqun Chen
- School of Artificial Intelligence, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Ke Feng
- School of Artificial Intelligence, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Yi Chang
- School of Artificial Intelligence, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China; International Center of Future Science, Jilin University, Changchun, China; Engineering Research Center of Knowledge-Driven Human-Machine Intelligence, MOE, China
| | - Huiyan Sun
- School of Artificial Intelligence, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China; International Center of Future Science, Jilin University, Changchun, China; Engineering Research Center of Knowledge-Driven Human-Machine Intelligence, MOE, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wang Z, Wang X, Lan X, Zhu H, Qu L, Pan C. Polymorphism within the GATA binding protein 4 gene is significantly associated with goat litter size. Anim Biotechnol 2023; 34:4291-4300. [PMID: 36421983 DOI: 10.1080/10495398.2022.2147533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
GATA binding protein 4 (GATA4) is a typical transcription binding factor, and its main functions include regulating the proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells, promoting spermatogenesis and sex differentiation, implying that this gene have possibly roles in animal reproduction. This study aims to detect five potential insertion/deletions (indels) of the GATA4 gene in 606 healthy unrelated Shaanbei white cashmere (SBWC) goats and analyze its association with the litter size. The electrophoresis and DNA sequencing identified two polymorphic indels (e.g., P4-Del-8bp and P5-Ins-9bp indel). Then T-test analysis showed that P4-Del-8bp was significantly correlated with litter size (p = 0.022) because of two different genotypes detected, e.g., insertion-deletion (ID) and deletion-deletion (DD), and the average litter size of individuals with DD genotype goats was higher than that of others. However, there was no correlation between P5-Ins-9bp and lambing of goats. Chi-square (X2) test found that the distribution of and P4-Del-8bp genotypes (X2 = 6.475, p = 0.011) was significantly different between single and multiple-lamb groups, while P5-Ins-9bp (X2 = 0.030, p = 0.862) was not. Therefore, these findings revealed that P4-Del-8bp polymorphism of goat GATA4 gene was a potential molecular marker significantly associated with litter size, which can be used for the marker-assisted selection (MAS) breeding to improve goat industry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhiying Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Xinyu Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Xianyong Lan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Haijing Zhu
- Life Science Research Center, Shaanxi Provincial Engineering and Technology Research Center of Cashmere Goats, Yulin University, Yulin, China
| | - Lei Qu
- Life Science Research Center, Shaanxi Provincial Engineering and Technology Research Center of Cashmere Goats, Yulin University, Yulin, China
| | - Chuanying Pan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Developmental toxicity window of fetal testicular injury in offspring mice induced by prenatal amoxicillin exposure at different time, doses and courses. Toxicol Lett 2023; 374:85-95. [PMID: 36529298 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2022.12.006] [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: 07/23/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Amoxicillin is widely used in the clinical treatment of syphilis, gonorrhea and other infectious diseases during pregnancy, but the effects of prenatal amoxicillin exposure (PAmE) on fetal testicular development have not been reported. Based on the characteristics of clinical medication, Kunming mice were orally gavaged with amoxicillin during pregnancy at different time (mid- or late-pregnancy), doses (75, 150 or 300 mg/kg·d) or courses (single- or multi-course). The results showed that compared with the control group, PAmE resulted in fetal testicular abnormal morphological development, cell proliferation inhibition and apoptosis enhancement, Leydig cell steroid synthase system (SF1, StAR, P450scc, CYP17a1) expression inhibition, and fetal blood testosterone levels decreased. Among them, the late-pregnancy and high-dose amoxicillin groups had severe damage, while the damage in different course groups was basically the same. Meanwhile, PAmE could damage the number and function of germ cells at all time, doses and courses, but had no obvious effect on Sertoli cells. It was further found that PAmE inhibited fetal testis AKT and ERK signaling pathways in late pregnancy and high dose, while the damage in different course groups was basically the same. In summary, this study proposed the developmental toxicity window of fetal testicular injury induced by PAmE in late-pregnancy and high-dose and its related mechanism of AKT and ERK signaling pathway, which provided a theoretical and experimental basis for guiding rational drug use during pregnancy and effectively evaluating the risk of fetal testicular developmental toxicity.
Collapse
|
5
|
Lu M, Mu Y, Liu Y. Triphenyltin disrupts the testicular microenvironment and reduces sperm quality in adult male rats. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 301:134726. [PMID: 35489455 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Triphenyltin (TPT) is organotin that is widely used as an anti-fouling agent and has been determined to have male reproductive toxicity. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of TPT on the testicular microenvironment and sperm quality in male rats. Adult male Sprague Dawley rats were daily gavaged with TPT (0, 0.5, 1, and 2 mg/kg body weight) for 28 days. The results showed that TPT dose-dependently decreased sperm count and sperm motility, interfered with sperm histone-protamine replacement process, and significantly increased sperm deformity rate, but did not affect sperm DNA integrity. TPT at 2 mg/kg significantly decreased the gene and protein expressions of testis PCNA and Ki67, and dose-dependently decreased the number of PCNA-positive cells and Ki67-positive cells. TPT at 1 mg/kg and/or 2 mg/kg down-regulated the expression of StAR, SF1, P450scc, FSHR, WT1, DDX4 and PLZF, and up-regulated SOX9 expression. Simultaneously, TPT reduced serum testosterone levels at each dose and dose-dependently decreased the expression of Leydig cells regulators (INSL3, IGF1, inhibin B) and Sertoli cells regulators (GDNF, FGF2, CXCL12, ETV5), altered testicular microenvironment. Further, in vitro, we treated TM3 (Leydig cells), TM4 (Sertoli cells) and GC-1 (spermatogonia) cells with 1-100 nM TPT for 24 h. 100 nM TPT significantly down-regulated the expression of the above indicators in TM3 and TM4 cells but did not directly affect the cell proliferation ability of GC-1. However, after co-culturing TPT-treated TM3 or TM4 cells with GC-1 cells, it was found that TPT-treated TM3 or TM4 cells dose-dependently reduced the gene and protein expression levels of PCNA and Ki67 and increased cytotoxicity in GC-1 cells. In conclusion, TPT impairs the proliferative ability of spermatogonia by disrupting the microenvironment of Leydig cells and Sertoli cells, which in turn leads to low sperm quality in adult male rats.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mengxi Lu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Yan Mu
- School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, 430062, China
| | - Yi Liu
- Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Viger RS, de Mattos K, Tremblay JJ. Insights Into the Roles of GATA Factors in Mammalian Testis Development and the Control of Fetal Testis Gene Expression. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:902198. [PMID: 35692407 PMCID: PMC9178088 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.902198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Defining how genes get turned on and off in a correct spatiotemporal manner is integral to our understanding of the development, differentiation, and function of different cell types in both health and disease. Testis development and subsequent male sex differentiation of the XY fetus are well-orchestrated processes that require an intricate network of cell-cell communication and hormonal signals that must be properly interpreted at the genomic level. Transcription factors are at the forefront for translating these signals into a coordinated genomic response. The GATA family of transcriptional regulators were first described as essential regulators of hematopoietic cell differentiation and heart morphogenesis but are now known to impact the development and function of a multitude of tissues and cell types. The mammalian testis is no exception where GATA factors play essential roles in directing the expression of genes crucial not only for testis differentiation but also testis function in the developing male fetus and later in adulthood. This minireview provides an overview of the current state of knowledge of GATA factors in the male gonad with a particular emphasis on their mechanisms of action in the control of testis development, gene expression in the fetal testis, testicular disease, and XY sex differentiation in humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert S. Viger
- Centre de recherche en Reproduction, Développement et Santé Intergénérationnelle and Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
- Reproduction, Mother and Child Health, Centre de recherche du centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec—Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Karine de Mattos
- Reproduction, Mother and Child Health, Centre de recherche du centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec—Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Jacques J. Tremblay
- Centre de recherche en Reproduction, Développement et Santé Intergénérationnelle and Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
- Reproduction, Mother and Child Health, Centre de recherche du centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec—Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Li T, Zheng C, Han WJ, Chen ZZ. Regulation of STUB1 expression and its biological significance in mouse Sertoli cells. Syst Biol Reprod Med 2022; 68:298-313. [PMID: 35343345 DOI: 10.1080/19396368.2022.2027554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
STIP1 Homology and U-Box Containing Protein 1 (STUB1), a ubiquitin E3 ligase initially involved in immune responses, has recently emerged as a pleiotropic regulator of different biological systems, including skeletal and male reproduction systems. On the latter, a homozygous mutation in the STUB1 gene has been identified in patients with hypogonadism. However, the pattern of expression and biological actions of STUB1 in testis remains so far unexplored. Herein, we report analyses on the testicular expression of STUB1 in human testes with impaired spermatogenesis and paracrine regulation of STUB1 expression in mouse testis development and the direct effects of ablation STUB1 on Sertoli cell (SC) functions. STUB1 was expressed abundantly in pachytene spermatocytes and SCs, and weakly in spermatogonia and differentiating spermatids in normal human testis. In contrast, Sertoli-specific expression of STUB1 was significantly decreased in the human testes with impaired spermatogenesis. Throughout postnatal development of mouse testis, however, STUB1 was expressed exclusively in the nuclei of the functionally mature SCs. The adjacent germ cell (GC)-derived IL-1α overtly regulated STUB1 expression through promoting the ETS domain transcription factor Elk-1 (ELK1)-mediated transactivation. Importantly, ablation of endogenous STUB1 caused lipid accumulation and senescence in GC co-incubated SCs. Together with previous reports on the stimulatory effects of IL-1α on cell senescence, our findings suggest that STUB1 may serve as an important negative feedback signaling to modulate the magnitude of GCs-derived IL-1α, which is normally maintained at low levels within testis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tao Li
- Reproductive Center, Baoji Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Baoji, P. R. China
| | - Chao Zheng
- Department of Urology, Baoji Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Baoji, P. R. China
| | - Wei-Jun Han
- Department of Urology, Baoji Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Baoji, P. R. China
| | - Zhen-Zhen Chen
- Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, P. R. China.,Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Rore H, Owen N, Piña-Aguilar RE, Docherty K, Sekido R. Testicular somatic cell-like cells derived from embryonic stem cells induce differentiation of epiblasts into germ cells. Commun Biol 2021; 4:802. [PMID: 34183774 PMCID: PMC8239049 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02322-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Regeneration of the testis from pluripotent stem cells is a real challenge, reflecting the complexity of the interaction of germ cells and somatic cells. Here we report the generation of testicular somatic cell-like cells (TesLCs) including Sertoli cell-like cells (SCLCs) from mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) in xeno-free culture. We find that Nr5a1/SF1 is critical for interaction between SCLCs and PGCLCs. Intriguingly, co-culture of TesLCs with epiblast-like cells (EpiLCs), rather than PGCLCs, results in self-organised aggregates, or testicular organoids. In the organoid, EpiLCs differentiate into PGCLCs or gonocyte-like cells that are enclosed within a seminiferous tubule-like structure composed of SCLCs. Furthermore, conditioned medium prepared from TesLCs has a robust inducible activity to differentiate EpiLCs into PGCLCs. Our results demonstrate conditions for in vitro reconstitution of a testicular environment from ESCs and provide further insights into the generation of sperm entirely in xeno-free culture.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Holly Rore
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Foresterhill, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Nicholas Owen
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Kevin Docherty
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Foresterhill, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Ryohei Sekido
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Foresterhill, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK.
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Higuch K, Matsumura T, Akiyama H, Kanai Y, Ogawa T, Sato T. Sertoli cell replacement in explanted mouse testis tissue supporting host spermatogenesis. Biol Reprod 2021; 105:934-943. [PMID: 34057178 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioab104] [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: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis takes place in the seminiferous tubules, starting from the spermatogonial stem cell and maturing into sperm through multiple stages of cell differentiation. Sertoli cells, the main somatic cell constituting the seminiferous tubule, are in close contact with every germ cell and play pivotal roles in the progression of spermatogenesis. In this study, we developed an in vitro Sertoli cell replacement method by combining an organ culture technique and a toxin receptor-mediated cell knockout (Treck) system. We used Amh- diphtheria toxin receptor (DTR) transgenic mice, whose Sertoli cells specifically express human DTR, which renders them sensitive to diphtheria toxin (DT). An immature Amh-DTR testis was transplanted with donor testis cells followed by culturing in a medium containing DT. This procedure successfully replaced the original Sertoli cells with the transplanted Sertoli cells, and spermatogenesis originating from resident germ cells was confirmed. In addition, Sertoli cells in the mouse testis tissues were replaced by transplanted rat Sertoli cells within culture conditions, without requiring immunosuppressive treatments. This method works as a functional assay system, making it possible to evaluate any cells that might function as Sertoli cells. It would also be possible to investigate interactions between Sertoli and germ cells more closely, providing a new platform for the study of spermatogenesis and its impairments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kazusa Higuch
- Laboratory of Biopharmaceutical and Regenerative Sciences, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Life Science, Yokohama City University Association of Medical Science, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Takafumi Matsumura
- Laboratory of Biopharmaceutical and Regenerative Sciences, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Life Science, Yokohama City University Association of Medical Science, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Haruhiko Akiyama
- Department of Orthopedics, Gifu University School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan
| | - Yoshiakira Kanai
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, The University of Tokyo, Yayoi 1-1-1, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Takehiko Ogawa
- Laboratory of Biopharmaceutical and Regenerative Sciences, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Life Science, Yokohama City University Association of Medical Science, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan.,Department of Urology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Takuya Sato
- Laboratory of Biopharmaceutical and Regenerative Sciences, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Life Science, Yokohama City University Association of Medical Science, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
The conditional deletion of steroidogenic factor 1 (Nr5a1) in Sox9-Cre mice compromises testis differentiation. Sci Rep 2021; 11:4486. [PMID: 33627800 PMCID: PMC7904858 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-84095-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Steroidogenic factor 1 (NR5A1) is essential for gonadal development. To study the importance of NR5A1 during early gonadal sex differentiation, we generated Sox9-Cre-Nr5a1 conditional knockout (cKO) mice: Sox9-Cre;Nr5a1flox/flox and Sox9-Cre;Nr5a1flox/− mice. Double-immunostaining for NR5A1 and AMH revealed silenced NR5A1 in Sertoli cells and reduced AMH+ cells in the gonads of XY Sox9-Cre-Nr5a1 cKO mice between embryonic days 12.5 (E12.5) and E14.5. Double-immunostaining for SOX9 and FOXL2 further indicated an early block in Sertoli cells and ectopic granulosa cell differentiation. The number of cells expressing the Leydig cell marker 3βHSD obviously reduced in the gonads of XY Sox9-Cre;Nr5a1flox/− but not Sox9-Cre;Nr5a1flox/flox mice at E15.5. The presence of STRA8+ cells indicated that germ cells entered meiosis in the gonads of XY Sox9-Cre-Nr5a1 cKO mice. The results of qRT-PCR revealed remarkably reduced and elevated levels of testis and ovary markers, respectively, in the gonads of XY Sox9-Cre-Nr5a1 cKO mice at E12.5‒E13.5. These data suggested that the loss of Nr5a1 abrogates the testicular pathway and induces the ectopic ovarian pathway, resulting in postnatal partial/complete male-to-female gonadal sex reversal. Our findings provide evidence for the critical role of NR5A1 in murine gonadal sex determination in vivo.
Collapse
|
11
|
Xu C, Mohsin A, Luo Y, Xie L, Peng Y, Wang Q, Ahmed W, Hang H, Zhuang Y, Guo M. Inducing Non-genetically Modified Induced Embryonic Sertoli Cells Derived From Embryonic Stem Cells With Recombinant Protein Factors. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 8:533543. [PMID: 33585437 PMCID: PMC7875124 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.533543] [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: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Embryonic Sertoli cells (eSCs) possess multiple supporting functions and research value in gonadal development and sex determination. However, the limitation of acquiring quality eSCs had hindered the further application. Herein, we successfully derived non-genetically modified (non-GM)-induced embryonic Sertoli-like cells (eSLCs) from mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) with a TM4 cell-derived conditioned medium containing recombinant endogenous protein factors Sry, Sox9, Sf1, Wt1, Gata4, and Dmrt1. These eSLCs were determined through morphology; transcriptional expression levels of stage-specific, epithelial, and mesenchymal marker genes; flow cytometry, immunofluorescence; and immunocytochemistry and functionally determined by coculture with spermatogonia stem cells. Results indicated that these eSLCs performed similarly to eSCs in specific biomarkers and expression of marker genes and supported the maturation of spermatogonia. The study induced eSLCs from mouse ESCs by defined protein factors. However, the inducing efficiency of the non-GM method was still lower than that of the lentiviral transduction method. Thus, this work established a foundation for future production of non-GM eSLCs for clinical applications and fundamental theory research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chenze Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Ali Mohsin
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanxia Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Lili Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Qizheng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Waqas Ahmed
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Haifeng Hang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.,Engineering Research Centre of Processes System, Ministry of Education, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Yingping Zhuang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.,Engineering Research Centre of Processes System, Ministry of Education, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Meijin Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.,Engineering Research Centre of Processes System, Ministry of Education, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.,Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Xu C, Dai Y, Mohsin A, Hang H, Zhuang Y, Guo M. Mapping molecular pathways for embryonic Sertoli cells derivation based on differentiation model of mouse embryonic stem cells. Stem Cell Res Ther 2020; 11:85. [PMID: 32102677 PMCID: PMC7045406 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-020-01600-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Embryonic Sertoli cells (eSCs) have been known for playing important roles in male reproductive development system. In current studies, eSCs were mainly generated from induced intermediate mesoderm. The deriving mechanism of eSCs has been unclear so far. Therefore, this work was aimed to reveal the molecular pathways during derivation of eSCs. Methods In this scenario, a differentiation model from mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) to eSCs was established through spatiotemporal control of 5 key factors, Wilms tumor 1 homolog (Wt1), GATA binding protein 4 (Gata4), nuclear receptor subfamily 5, group A, member 1 (Nr5a1, i.e., Sf1), SRY (sex determining region Y)-box 9 (Sox9), doublesex, and mab-3 related transcription factor 1 (Dmrt1). To investigate the molecular mechanism, these key factors were respectively manipulated through a light-switchable (light-on) system, tetracycline-switchable (Tet-on) system, and CRISPR/Cas9 knock out (KO) system. Results Via the established approach, some embryonic Sertoli-like cells (eSLCs) were induced from mESCs and formed ring-like or tubular-like structures. The key factors were respectively manipulated and revealed their roles in the derivation of these eSLCs. Based on these results, some molecular pathways were mapped during the development of coelomic epithelial somatic cells to eSCs. Conclusions This differentiation model provided a high controllability of some key factors and brought a novel insight into the deriving mechanism of Sertoli cells. Supplementary information accompanies this paper at 10.1186/s13287-020-01600-2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chenze Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, People's Republic of China
| | - Yichen Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, People's Republic of China
| | - Ali Mohsin
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, People's Republic of China
| | - Haifeng Hang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, People's Republic of China.,Engineering Research Centre of Processes System, Ministry of Education, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Rd., Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Yingping Zhuang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, People's Republic of China.,Engineering Research Centre of Processes System, Ministry of Education, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Rd., Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Meijin Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, People's Republic of China. .,Engineering Research Centre of Processes System, Ministry of Education, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Rd., Shanghai, 200237, China. .,Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
| |
Collapse
|