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Ruggiero-Ruff RE, Le BH, Villa PA, Lainez NM, Athul SW, Das P, Ellsworth BS, Coss D. Single-Cell Transcriptomics Identifies Pituitary Gland Changes in Diet-Induced Obesity in Male Mice. Endocrinology 2024; 165:bqad196. [PMID: 38146776 PMCID: PMC10791142 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqad196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
Obesity is a chronic disease with increasing prevalence worldwide. Obesity leads to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, as well as endocrine alterations, reproductive disorders, changes in basal metabolism, and stress hormone production, all of which are regulated by the pituitary. In this study, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing of pituitary glands from male mice fed control and high-fat diet (HFD) to determine obesity-mediated changes in pituitary cell populations and gene expression. We determined that HFD exposure is associated with dramatic changes in somatotrope and lactotrope populations, by increasing the proportion of somatotropes and decreasing the proportion of lactotropes. Fractions of other hormone-producing cell populations remained unaffected. Gene expression changes demonstrated that in HFD, somatotropes became more metabolically active, with increased expression of genes associated with cellular respiration, and downregulation of genes and pathways associated with cholesterol biosynthesis. Despite a lack of changes in gonadotrope fraction, genes important in the regulation of gonadotropin hormone production were significantly downregulated. Corticotropes and thyrotropes were the least affected in HFD, while melanotropes exhibited reduced proportion. Lastly, we determined that changes in plasticity and gene expression were associated with changes in hormone levels. Serum prolactin was decreased corresponding to reduced lactotrope fraction, while lower luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone in the serum corresponded to a decrease in transcription and translation. Taken together, our study highlights diet-mediated changes in pituitary gland populations and gene expression that play a role in altered hormone levels in obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca E Ruggiero-Ruff
- Division of Biomedical Sciences; School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Brandon H Le
- Institute for Integrative Genome Biology Bioinformatics Core Facility, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Pedro A Villa
- Division of Biomedical Sciences; School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Nancy M Lainez
- Division of Biomedical Sciences; School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Sandria W Athul
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
| | - Pratyusa Das
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
| | - Buffy S Ellsworth
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
| | - Djurdjica Coss
- Division of Biomedical Sciences; School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
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2
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Garcia C, Velez LM, Ujagar N, Del Mundo Z, Nguyen T, Fox C, Mark A, Fisch KM, Lawson MA, Duleba AJ, Seldin MM, Nicholas DA. Lipopolysaccharide-induced chronic inflammation increases female serum gonadotropins and shifts the pituitary transcriptomic landscape. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 14:1279878. [PMID: 38260148 PMCID: PMC10801245 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1279878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Female reproductive function depends on a choreographed sequence of hormonal secretion and action, where specific stresses such as inflammation exert profound disruptions. Specifically, acute LPS-induced inflammation inhibits gonadotropin production and secretion from the pituitary, thereby impacting the downstream production of sex hormones. These outcomes have only been observed in acute inflammatory stress and little is known about the mechanisms by which chronic inflammation affects reproduction. In this study we seek to understand the chronic effects of LPS on pituitary function and consequent luteinizing and follicle stimulating hormone secretion. Methods A chronic inflammatory state was induced in female mice by twice weekly injections with LPS over 6 weeks. Serum gonadotropins were measured and bulk RNAseq was performed on the pituitaries from these mice, along with basic measurements of reproductive biology. Results Surprisingly, serum luteinizing and follicle stimulating hormone was not inhibited and instead we found it was increased with repeated LPS treatments. Discussion Analysis of bulk RNA-sequencing of murine pituitary revealed paracrine activation of TGFβ pathways as a potential mechanism regulating FSH secretion in response to chronic LPS. These results provide a framework with which to begin dissecting the impacts of chronic inflammation on reproductive physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Garcia
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Leandro M. Velez
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
- Center for Epigenetics and Metabolism, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Naveena Ujagar
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Zena Del Mundo
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Thu Nguyen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Chelsea Fox
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Prisma Health Upstate/University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville, Greenville, SC, United States
| | - Adam Mark
- Center for Computational Biology & Bioinformatics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Kathleen M. Fisch
- Center for Computational Biology & Bioinformatics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Mark A. Lawson
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Antoni J. Duleba
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Marcus M. Seldin
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
- Center for Epigenetics and Metabolism, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Dequina A. Nicholas
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
- Center for Epigenetics and Metabolism, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
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Wang K, Liu W, Wang XP. Dpp-mediated TGF-β signaling regulates vitellogenesis through 20-hydroxyecdysone signaling in the cabbage beetle, Colaphellus bowringi. PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 197:105706. [PMID: 38072559 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2023.105706] [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: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
The Dpp signaling, as one of the branches within the TGF-β superfamily, plays a crucial role in regulating various biological processes in insects. However, its impact on female reproduction through vitellogenesis remains unclear. In this study, the expression profiles implied that the Dpp signaling genes, including Dpp, Punt, Mad, and Medea, were up-regulated during reproductive development in the ovary of Colaphellus bowringi. Knockdown of these five Dpp signaling genes revealed significant effects of Dpp, Tkv, Mad, and Medea on ovarian development through vitellogenesis in the fat body. Our finding further indicated that Dpp signaling influences the expression of 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) receptor and responsive genes in the fat body. Additionally, knockdown of 20E receptor EcR resulted in similar phenotypes as observed in the Dpp pathway genes knockdown, implying a regulatory role for Dpp signaling via EcR in vitellogenesis. Furthermore, knocking down Dpp, Tkv, and EcR in female adults led to a reduction in total dry weight and protein content, as well as the expression of mTOR, a factor linked to protein intake. These results suggest that the Dpp signaling pathway modulates vitellogenesis by impacting the AA/TOR-mediated 20E pathway in the fat body, providing novel insights into the network governing insect reproduction and offering potential targets for controlling female pest reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kou Wang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Wen Liu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Xiao-Ping Wang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
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4
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Zmijewska A, Czelejewska W, Drzewiecka EM, Franczak A. Transcriptome profile of the anterior pituitary gland in pigs during maternal recognition of pregnancy. Theriogenology 2023; 197:310-321. [PMID: 36542881 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.11.039] [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: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
The activity of the pituitary gland determines the success of female reproduction. The knowledge regarding the reproductive-status-related changes in the transcriptome of the porcine pituitary is limited. This study aimed to determine and compare the transcriptome profile of the pituitary gland collected from pigs during maternal recognition of pregnancy, i.e. on days 12-13 of pregnancy and during the respective days of the estrous cycle. Analysis indicated 482 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with an FC > 1.5 (P < 0.05) in the pituitary of pregnant vs. estrous-cyclic pigs. Among them, 68 were up-regulated and 414 were down-regulated. The evaluated DEGs were annotated into 39 gene ontology (GO) biological process terms, 13 GO cellular component terms, and 10 GO molecular function terms. Among the evaluated DEGs were selected genes coding for proteins potentially involved in the regulation of early pregnancy in pigs and used for gene interaction analysis and validation of microarray results. An analysis of the relationships among DEGs in pituitaries collected during maternal recognition of pregnancy showed that some of them are connected with, for example, TGFβ signaling pathway, PRL synthesis, adipocytokines pathway and immune response during maternal recognition of pregnancy. These findings expand the knowledge regarding the molecular mechanisms appearing in the porcine pituitary during the maternal recognition period of pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata Zmijewska
- Department of Animal Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowski 1A, 10-719, Olsztyn, Poland.
| | - Wioleta Czelejewska
- Department of Human Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Collegium Medicum, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Warszawska 30, 10-082, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Ewa M Drzewiecka
- Department of Animal Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowski 1A, 10-719, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Anita Franczak
- Department of Animal Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowski 1A, 10-719, Olsztyn, Poland
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5
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Yang J, Wang M, Yang J, Chu Z, Chen X, Wu X, Peng X. Calcifying nanoparticles initiate the calcification process of mesenchymal stem cells in vitro through the activation of the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway and promote the decay of echinococcosis. Open Life Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1515/biol-2022-0503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
The role of the calcifying nanoparticles (CNPs) in the calcification process of the outer cyst wall in hepatic cystic echinococcosis (HCE) remains unknown. CNPs were isolated from the tissues of the patients with HCE. Western blotting, alkaline phosphatase staining, and alizarin staining were performed to detect the cellular calcium ion deposition induced by the CNPs. CCK-8 and flow cytometry assays were conducted to determine the effect of CNPs on the apoptosis of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Western blot experiments were performed to examine the expression levels of apoptosis-related factors and TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway constituents. Treatment with CNPs induced the differentiation of MSCs. Calcium-related proteins, including OPN, BMP-2, and RUNX2, were upregulated after the CNP treatment. Similarly, CNP exposure increased the cellular calcium ion deposition in MSCs. In addition, the expression of Bax and Caspase-8 was elevated by the CNPs in MSCs. Treatment with CNPs promoted MSC apoptosis and inhibited the MSC growth. The TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway was also activated after the CNP treatment. This study indicated that CNPs may play a critical role in initiating calcification of the outer cyst wall of HCE and promote the decay of echinococcosis, providing a new strategy for the treatment of hepatic echinococcosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Yang
- Center of Hepatic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology , Wuhan , 430030 , China
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Medical College, Shihezi University , No. 107, North Second Road , Shihezi , 832008, Xinjiang , China
| | - Meiyan Wang
- Department of Nursing, Shihezi University School of Medicine , Shihezi , 832000, Xinjiang , China
| | - Jing Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Medical College, Shihezi University , No. 107, North Second Road , Shihezi , 832008, Xinjiang , China
| | - Zhiqiang Chu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Medical College, Shihezi University , No. 107, North Second Road , Shihezi , 832008, Xinjiang , China
| | - Xueling Chen
- Department of Immunology, Shihezi University School of Medicine , Shihezi , 832000, Xinjiang , China
| | - Xiangwei Wu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Medical College, Shihezi University , No. 107, North Second Road , Shihezi , 832008, Xinjiang , China
- Key Laboratory of Xinjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Ministry of Education, Shihezi University School of Medicine , Shihezi , Xinjiang, 832000 , China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Central Asia High Incidence Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Shihezi University , Shihezi , 832000, Xinjiang , China
| | - Xinyu Peng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Medical College, Shihezi University , No. 107, North Second Road , Shihezi , 832008, Xinjiang , China
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Schang G, Ongaro L, Brûlé E, Zhou X, Wang Y, Boehm U, Ruf-Zamojski F, Zamojski M, Mendelev N, Seenarine N, Amper MA, Nair V, Ge Y, Sealfon SC, Bernard DJ. Transcription factor GATA2 may potentiate follicle-stimulating hormone production in mice via induction of the BMP antagonist gremlin in gonadotrope cells. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102072. [PMID: 35643321 PMCID: PMC9251782 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian reproduction depends on the gonadotropins, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone, which are secreted by pituitary gonadotrope cells. The zinc-finger transcription factor GATA2 was previously implicated in FSH production in male mice; however, its mechanisms of action and role in females were not determined. To directly address GATA2 function in gonadotropes, we generated and analyzed gonadotrope-specific Gata2 KO mice using the Cre-lox system. We found that while conditional KO (cKO) males exhibited ∼50% reductions in serum FSH levels and pituitary FSHβ subunit (Fshb) expression relative to controls, FSH production was apparently normal in cKO females. In addition, RNA-seq analysis of purified gonadotropes from control and cKO males revealed a profound decrease in expression of gremlin (Grem1), a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) antagonist. We show Grem1 was expressed in gonadotropes, but not other cell lineages, in the adult male mouse pituitary. Furthermore, Gata2, Grem1, and Fshb mRNA levels were significantly higher in the pituitaries of WT males relative to females but decreased in males treated with estradiol and increased following ovariectomy in control but not cKO females. Finally, we found that recombinant gremlin stimulated Fshb expression in pituitary cultures from WT mice. Collectively, the data suggest that GATA2 promotes Grem1 expression in gonadotropes and that the gremlin protein potentiates FSH production. The mechanisms of gremlin action have not yet been established but may involve attenuation of BMP binding to activin type II receptors in gonadotropes, facilitating induction of Fshb transcription by activins or related ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gauthier Schang
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Luisina Ongaro
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Emilie Brûlé
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Xiang Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Ulrich Boehm
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology, Center for Molecular Signaling, Saarland University School of Medicine, Homburg, Germany
| | - Frederique Ruf-Zamojski
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Michel Zamojski
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Natalia Mendelev
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Nitish Seenarine
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Mary Anne Amper
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Venugopalan Nair
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Yongchao Ge
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Stuart C Sealfon
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Daniel J Bernard
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
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7
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Cross-talk between NOTCH2 and BMP4/SMAD signaling pathways in bovine follicular granulosa cells. Theriogenology 2022; 187:74-81. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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8
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SMAD4 Feedback Activates the Canonical TGF-β Family Signaling Pathways. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221810024. [PMID: 34576190 PMCID: PMC8471547 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221810024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
TGF-β family signaling pathways, including TGF-β and BMP pathways, are widely involved in the regulation of health and diseases through downstream SMADs, which are also regulated by multiple validated mechanisms, such as genetic regulation, epigenetic regulation, and feedback regulation. However, it is still unclear whether R-SMADs or Co-SMAD can feedback regulate the TGF-β family signaling pathways in granulosa cells (GCs). In this study, we report a novel mechanism underlying the feedback regulation of TGF-β family signaling pathways, i.e., SMAD4, the only Co-SMAD, positive feedback activates the TGF-β family signaling pathways in GCs with a basal level of TGF-β ligands by interacting with the core promoters of its upstream receptors. Mechanistically, SMAD4 acts as a transcription factor, and feedback activates the transcription of its upstream receptors, including ACVR1B, BMPR2, and TGFBR2, of the canonical TGF-β signaling pathways by interacting with three coactivators (c-JUN, CREB1, and SP1), respectively. Notably, three different interaction modes between SMAD4 and coactivators were identified in SMAD4-mediated feedback regulation of upstream receptors through reciprocal ChIP assays. Our findings in the present study indicate for the first time that SMAD4 feedback activates the canonical TGF-β family signaling pathways in GCs, which improves and expands the regulatory mechanism, especially the feedback regulation modes of TGF-β family signaling pathways in ovarian GCs.
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9
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Ongaro L, Zhou X, Cui Y, Boehm U, Bernard DJ. Gonadotrope-specific deletion of the BMP type 2 receptor does not affect reproductive physiology in mice†‡. Biol Reprod 2021; 102:639-646. [PMID: 31724029 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioz206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Revised: 10/19/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Activins selectively stimulate follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion by pituitary gonadotrope cells. More recently, other members of the TGFbeta superfamily, the bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), were reported to regulate FSH synthesis. Activins and BMPs independently and synergistically stimulate transcription of the FSHbeta subunit (Fshb) gene in immortalized gonadotrope-like cells. Both ligands can signal via the activin receptor type IIA (ACVR2A) to regulate FSH synthesis in vitro. In vivo, global Acvr2a knockout mice exhibit a 60% reduction in circulating FSH relative to wild-type animals, suggesting that activins, BMPs, or related ligands might signal through additional type II receptors to regulate FSH in vivo. Although the leading candidates are ACVR2B and the BMP type II receptor (BMPR2), only the latter mediates activin or BMP2 induction of Fshb transcription in vitro. Here, we generated mice carrying a loss of function mutation in Bmpr2 specifically in gonadotropes. Puberty onset, estrous cyclicity, and reproductive organ weights were similar between control and conditional knockout females. Serum FSH and luteinizing hormone (LH) and pituitary expression of Fshb and the LHbeta subunit (Lhb) were similarly unaffected by the gene deletion in both sexes. These results suggest that BMPR2 might not play a necessary role in FSH synthesis or secretion in vivo or that another type II receptor, such as ACVR2A, can fully compensate for its absence. These data also further contribute to the emerging concept that BMPs may not be physiological regulators of FSH in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisina Ongaro
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics.,Centre for Research in Reproduction and Development, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Xiang Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics.,Centre for Research in Reproduction and Development, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Yiming Cui
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics.,Centre for Research in Reproduction and Development, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Ulrich Boehm
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Saarland University School of Medicine, Homburg, Germany
| | - Daniel J Bernard
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics.,Centre for Research in Reproduction and Development, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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10
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Mazzoni E, Mazziotta C, Iaquinta MR, Lanzillotti C, Fortini F, D'Agostino A, Trevisiol L, Nocini R, Barbanti-Brodano G, Mescola A, Alessandrini A, Tognon M, Martini F. Enhanced Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells by a Hybrid Hydroxylapatite/Collagen Scaffold. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 8:610570. [PMID: 33537303 PMCID: PMC7849836 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.610570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) and their derivative enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP)-hBMSCs were employed to evaluate an innovative hybrid scaffold composed of granular hydroxylapatite and collagen hemostat (Coll/HA). The cellular morphology/cytoskeleton organization and cell viability were investigated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and AlamarBlue metabolic assay, respectively. The expression of osteopontin and osteocalcin proteins was analyzed by IHC and ELISA, whereas osteogenic genes were investigated by quantitative PCR (Q-PCR). Cell morphology of eGFP-hBMSCs was indistinguishable from that of parental hBMSCs. The cytoskeleton architecture of hBMSCs grown on the scaffold appeared to be well organized, whereas its integrity remained uninfluenced by the scaffold during the time course. Metabolic activity measured in hBMSCs grown on a biomaterial was increased during the experiments, up to day 21 (p < 0.05). The biomaterial induced the matrix mineralization in hBMSCs. The scaffold favored the expression of osteogenic proteins, such as osteocalcin and osteopontin. In hBMSC cultures, the scaffold induced up-regulation in specific genes that are involved in ossification process (BMP2/3, SPP1, SMAD3, and SP7), whereas they showed an up-regulation of MMP9 and MMP10, which play a central role during the skeletal development. hBMSCs were induced to chondrogenic differentiation through up-regulation of COL2A1 gene. Our experiments suggest that the innovative scaffold tested herein provides a good microenvironment for hBMSC adhesion, viability, and osteoinduction. hBMSCs are an excellent in vitro cellular model to assay scaffolds, which can be employed for bone repair and bone tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Mazzoni
- Department of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Chiara Mazziotta
- Department of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Maria Rosa Iaquinta
- Department of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Carmen Lanzillotti
- Department of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | | | - Antonio D'Agostino
- Department of Surgical Odonto-Stomatological Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Trevisiol
- Department of Surgical Odonto-Stomatological Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Riccardo Nocini
- Department of Surgical Odonto-Stomatological Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Giovanni Barbanti-Brodano
- Department of Oncologic and Degenerative Spine Surgery, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Alessandrini
- CNR-Nanoscience Institute-S3, Modena, Italy.,Department of Physics, Informatics and Mathematics, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Mauro Tognon
- Department of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Fernanda Martini
- Department of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
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11
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Lyons DC, Perry KJ, Batzel G, Henry JQ. BMP signaling plays a role in anterior-neural/head development, but not organizer activity, in the gastropod Crepidula fornicata. Dev Biol 2020; 463:135-157. [PMID: 32389712 PMCID: PMC7444637 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2020.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BMP signaling is involved in many aspects of metazoan development, with two of the most conserved functions being to pattern the dorsal-ventral axis and to specify neural versus epidermal fates. An active area of research within developmental biology asks how BMP signaling was modified over evolution to build disparate body plans. Animals belonging to the superclade Spiralia/Lophotrochozoa are excellent experimental subjects for studying the evolution of BMP signaling because a highly conserved, stereotyped early cleavage program precedes the emergence of distinct body plans. In this study we examine the role of BMP signaling in one representative, the slipper snail Crepidula fornicata. We find that mRNAs encoding BMP pathway components (including the BMP ligand decapentaplegic, and BMP antagonists chordin and noggin-like proteins) are not asymmetrically localized along the dorsal-ventral axis in the early embryo, as they are in other species. Furthermore, when BMP signaling is perturbed by adding ectopic recombinant BMP4 protein, or by treating embryos with the selective Activin receptor-like kinase-2 (ALK-2) inhibitor Dorsomorphin Homolog 1 (DMH1), we observe no obvious effects on dorsal-ventral patterning within the posterior (post-trochal) region of the embryo. Instead, we see effects on head development and the balance between neural and epidermal fates specifically within the anterior, pre-trochal tissue derived from the 1q1 lineage. Our experiments define a window of BMP signaling sensitivity that ends at approximately 44-48 hours post fertilization, which occurs well after organizer activity has ended and after the dorsal-ventral axis has been determined. When embryos were exposed to BMP4 protein during this window, we observed morphogenetic defects leading to the separation of the anterior, 1q lineage from the rest of the embryo. The 1q-derived organoid remained largely undifferentiated and was radialized, while the post-trochal portion of the embryo developed relatively normally and exhibited clear signs of dorsal-ventral patterning. When embryos were exposed to DMH1 during the same time interval, we observed defects in the head, including protrusion of the apical plate, enlarged cerebral ganglia and ectopic ocelli, but otherwise the larvae appeared normal. No defects in shell development were noted following DMH1 treatments. The varied roles of BMP signaling in the development of several other spiralians have recently been examined. We discuss our results in this context, and highlight the diversity of developmental mechanisms within spiral-cleaving animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deirdre C Lyons
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, U.C. San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
| | - Kimberly J Perry
- University of Illinois, Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, 601 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Grant Batzel
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, U.C. San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Jonathan Q Henry
- University of Illinois, Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, 601 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
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Coss D. Commentary on the Recent FSH Collection: Known Knowns and Known Unknowns. Endocrinology 2020; 161:5683667. [PMID: 31865385 PMCID: PMC6986550 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqz035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is a dimeric glycoprotein secreted by the anterior pituitary gonadotrope that is necessary for reproductive function in mammals. FSH primarily regulates granulosa cells and follicular growth in females, and Sertoli cell function in males. Since its identification in the 1930s and sequencing in the 1970s, significant progress has been made in elucidating its regulation and downstream function. Recent advances provide deeper insight into FSH synthesis, and effects in the gonads suggest potential roles in extragonadal tissues and examine pharmacological approaches and clinical applications in infertility treatment that now affect 18% of couples. These advances were discussed in detail in a number of reviews published in the last 2 years in Endocrinology. In this brief commentary, we summarize these reviews and point to the outstanding questions that should be answered in the near future to bridge a gap in our understanding of this hormone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Djurdjica Coss
- Division of Biomedical Sciences; School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside; Riverside, California
- Correspondence: Djurdjica Coss, Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside; Riverside, California. E-mail:
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13
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Variants in BMP7 and BMP15 3'- UTRs Associated with Reproductive Traits in a Large White Pig Population. Animals (Basel) 2019; 9:ani9110905. [PMID: 31683967 PMCID: PMC6912256 DOI: 10.3390/ani9110905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Revised: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP7) and BMP15, which encode members of the BMP family, have been identified by whole-genome resequencing as breeding-related genes that overlap with a known quantitative trait locus for reproductive traits. In this study, we investigated the effects of variants at the BMP7 and BMP15 gene loci on sow reproductive traits. We isolated 669 and 1213 bp sequences of the 3’-untranslated region (3’-UTR) of the porcine BMP7 and BMP15 genes, respectively, and detected several RNA regulatory elements, such as miRNA response elements and AU-rich elements. Pooled DNA sequencing identified two novel point mutations (viz., BMP7 c.1569A>G and BMP15 c.2366G>A) in the 3’-UTR. Association analysis showed that the c.1569A>G polymorphism was associated with the litter weight trait in a Large White pig population. Furthermore, analysis of the combined genetic effects revealed that AA/GA and AG/GG were the favorable combined genotypes for the total number of piglets born (TNB) and the total number of piglets born alive (NBA), whereas. Together, our findings confirm that BMP7 and BMP15 are candidate genes for porcine reproductive performance.
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Abdurahman A, Du X, Yao Y, Sulaiman Y, Aniwashi J, Li Q. Smad4 Feedback Enhances BMPR1B Transcription in Ovine Granulosa Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20112732. [PMID: 31167348 PMCID: PMC6600593 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20112732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Revised: 05/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BMPR1B is a type 1B receptor of the canonical bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)/Sma- and mad-related protein (Smad) signaling pathway and is well known as the first major gene associated with sheep prolificacy. However, little is known about the transcriptional regulation of the ovine BMPR1B gene. In this study, we identified the ovine BMPR1B gene promoter and demonstrated that its transcription was regulated by Smad4. In sheep ovarian follicles, three transcriptional variants of BMPR1B gene with distinct transcription start sites were identified using 5′ RACE assay while variants II and III were more strongly expressed. Luciferase assay showed that the region −405 to −200 nt is the PII promoter region of variant II. Interestingly, two putative Smad4-binding elements (SBEs) were detected in this region. Luciferase and ChIP assay revealed that Smad4 enhances PII promoter activity of the ovine BMPR1B gene by directly interacting with SBE1 motif. Furthermore, in the ovine granulosa cells, Smad4 regulated BMPRIB expression, and BMPRIB-mediated granulosa cells apoptosis. Overall, our findings not only characterized the 5’ regulatory region of the ovine BMPR1B gene, but also uncovered a feedback regulatory mechanism of the canonical BMP/Smad signaling pathway and provided an insight into the transcriptional regulation of BMPR1B gene and sheep prolificacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anwar Abdurahman
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
| | - Xing Du
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
| | - Yilong Yao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
| | - Yiming Sulaiman
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830001, China.
| | - Jueken Aniwashi
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830001, China.
| | - Qifa Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
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