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Bloise E, Ciarmela P, Dela Cruz C, Luisi S, Petraglia F, Reis FM. Activin A in Mammalian Physiology. Physiol Rev 2019; 99:739-780. [DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00002.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Activins are dimeric glycoproteins belonging to the transforming growth factor beta superfamily and resulting from the assembly of two beta subunits, which may also be combined with alpha subunits to form inhibins. Activins were discovered in 1986 following the isolation of inhibins from porcine follicular fluid, and were characterized as ovarian hormones that stimulate follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) release by the pituitary gland. In particular, activin A was shown to be the isoform of greater physiological importance in humans. The current understanding of activin A surpasses the reproductive system and allows its classification as a hormone, a growth factor, and a cytokine. In more than 30 yr of intense research, activin A was localized in female and male reproductive organs but also in other organs and systems as diverse as the brain, liver, lung, bone, and gut. Moreover, its roles include embryonic differentiation, trophoblast invasion of the uterine wall in early pregnancy, and fetal/neonate brain protection in hypoxic conditions. It is now recognized that activin A overexpression may be either cytostatic or mitogenic, depending on the cell type, with important implications for tumor biology. Activin A also regulates bone formation and regeneration, enhances joint inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis, and triggers pathogenic mechanisms in the respiratory system. In this 30-yr review, we analyze the evidence for physiological roles of activin A and the potential use of activin agonists and antagonists as therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrrico Bloise
- Department of Morphology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecological Clinic, University of Siena, Siena, Italy; and Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences, Division of Obstetrics and
| | - Pasquapina Ciarmela
- Department of Morphology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecological Clinic, University of Siena, Siena, Italy; and Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences, Division of Obstetrics and
| | - Cynthia Dela Cruz
- Department of Morphology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecological Clinic, University of Siena, Siena, Italy; and Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences, Division of Obstetrics and
| | - Stefano Luisi
- Department of Morphology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecological Clinic, University of Siena, Siena, Italy; and Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences, Division of Obstetrics and
| | - Felice Petraglia
- Department of Morphology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecological Clinic, University of Siena, Siena, Italy; and Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences, Division of Obstetrics and
| | - Fernando M. Reis
- Department of Morphology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecological Clinic, University of Siena, Siena, Italy; and Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences, Division of Obstetrics and
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Chaichanathong S, Taya K, Watanabe G, Nagaoka K, Wajjwalku W, Sudsukh A, Thongtip N. Immunohistochemical localization of inhibin/activin subunits in adult Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) testes. J Vet Med Sci 2018; 80:549-552. [PMID: 29375089 PMCID: PMC5880841 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.17-0531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunolocalization of inhibin-α and inhibin/activin βA and βB subunits in the testes of Asian elephant was determined. Testicular sections were immunostained with polyclonal antisera against inhibin subunit-α and
inhibin/activin βA and βB using the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method. Positive immunostaining against inhibin-α subunit was strongly present in Sertoli cells, and positive immunostaining for the inhibin/activin βA
and βB subunits was observed in both Sertoli and Leydig cells. These results indicated that while Sertoli cells are the predominant source of inhibin and activin secretions in the testes of adult male Asian elephant,
Leydig cells are a source of activin but not inhibin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sirinart Chaichanathong
- Center for Agricultural Biotechnology, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakhon Pathom 73140, Thailand.,Center of Excellence on Agricultural Biotechnology: (AG-BIO/PERDO-CHE), Bangkok 10900, Thailand.,Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen campus, Nakhon Pathom 73140, Thailand
| | - Kasuyoshi Taya
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Cooperative Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan
| | - Gen Watanabe
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Cooperative Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan.,Cooperative Division of Veterinary Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan
| | - Kentaro Nagaoka
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Cooperative Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan.,Cooperative Division of Veterinary Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan
| | - Worawidh Wajjwalku
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen campus, Nakhon Pathom 73140, Thailand
| | - Apichaya Sudsukh
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Nikorn Thongtip
- Center for Agricultural Biotechnology, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakhon Pathom 73140, Thailand.,Department of Large Animal and Wildlife Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Nakhon Pathom 73140, Thailand
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Banco B, Grilli G, Giudice C, Marques AT, Cotti Cometti S, Visigalli G, Grieco V. Immunophenotyping of Rabbit Testicular Germ and Sertoli Cells Across Maturational Stages. J Histochem Cytochem 2016; 64:715-726. [PMID: 27680667 DOI: 10.1369/0022155416669918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
During testicular maturation, both Sertoli cells (SCs) and germ cells (GCs) switch from an immature to a mature immunophenotype. The reexpression of markers of immaturity in adults has been reported in cancer and in other testicular pathologies, in men as well as in animal species. Naturally affected with testicular cancer, rabbits have long been used in human reproductive research, but reports on the expression of testicular cell markers in this species are few and data about the immunophenotype of normal postnatal SCs and GCs are lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate the immunophenotype of SCs and GCs in the rabbit, from neonatal to adult age, using the antibodies anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), vimentin (VIM), CKAE1/AE3 (cytokeratins [CKs]), desmin (DES), inhibin alpha (INH-α), placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP), and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining. In SCs, VIM was constantly expressed, and AMH and CKs expression was limited to neonatal and prepubertal age, whereas DES, INH-α, PLAP, and PAS were constantly negative. GCs were negatively stained for PLAP, PAS, and for the other markers. Results revealed analogies with human testicular immunophenotype, suggesting that rabbits could represent a potential experimental model for the study of human testicular pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Banco
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy (BB, GG, CG, ATM, SCC, VG)
| | - G Grilli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy (BB, GG, CG, ATM, SCC, VG)
| | - C Giudice
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy (BB, GG, CG, ATM, SCC, VG)
| | - A Tomas Marques
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy (BB, GG, CG, ATM, SCC, VG)
| | - S Cotti Cometti
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy (BB, GG, CG, ATM, SCC, VG)
| | - G Visigalli
- Clinica Veterinaria Liana Blu, Varedo (MI), Italy (GV)
| | - V Grieco
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy (BB, GG, CG, ATM, SCC, VG)
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Avital-Cohen N, Heiblum R, Argov N, Rosenstrauch A, Chaiseha Y, Mobarkey N, Rozenboim I. The effect of active immunization against vasoactive intestinal peptide and inhibin on reproductive performance of young White Leghorn roosters. Poult Sci 2011; 90:2321-31. [DOI: 10.3382/ps.2011-01438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
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Grieco V, Banco B, Ferrari A, Rota A, Faustini M, Veronesi MC. Inhibin-α Immunohistochemical Expression in Mature and Immature Canine Sertoli and Leydig Cells. Reprod Domest Anim 2011; 46:920-3. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2011.01784.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Banco B, Giudice C, Veronesi M, Gerosa E, Grieco V. An Immunohistochemical Study of Normal and Neoplastic Canine Sertoli Cells. J Comp Pathol 2010; 143:239-47. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2010.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2009] [Revised: 02/22/2010] [Accepted: 04/02/2010] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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SEDQYAR M, WENG Q, WATANABE G, KANDIEL MM, TAKAHASHI S, SUZUKI AK, TANEDA S, TAYA K. Secretion of Inhibin in Male Japanese Quail ( Coturnix japonica) from One Week of Age to Sexual Maturity. J Reprod Dev 2008; 54:100-6. [DOI: 10.1262/jrd.19155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Manila SEDQYAR
- Department of Basic Veterinary Science, The United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
| | - Qiang WENG
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
- College of Biological Science and Technology, Beijing Forestry University
| | - Gen WATANABE
- Department of Basic Veterinary Science, The United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
| | - Mohamed M.M. KANDIEL
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
- Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University
| | - Sinji TAKAHASHI
- Ecological Effect Research Team, Dioxin and Environmental Endocrine Disrupter Research Project, National Institute for Environmental Studies
| | - Akira K SUZUKI
- Environmental Nanotoxicology Section, Research Center for Environmental Risk, National Institute for Environmental Studies
| | - Shinji TANEDA
- Environmental Nanotoxicology Section, Research Center for Environmental Risk, National Institute for Environmental Studies
| | - Kazuyoshi TAYA
- Department of Basic Veterinary Science, The United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
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WENG Q, TANAKA Y, TANIYAMA H, TSUNODA N, NAMBO Y, WATANABE G, TAYA K. Immunolocalization of Inhibin/Activin Subunits in Equine Fetal Adrenal Glands during Mid Gestation. J Equine Sci 2007. [DOI: 10.1294/jes.18.93] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Qiang WENG
- College of Biological Science and Technology, Beijing Forestry University
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
| | - Yumiko TANAKA
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
- United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University
| | | | | | - Yasuo NAMBO
- Hidaka Training Research Center, Japan Racing Association
| | - Gen WATANABE
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
- United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University
| | - Kazuyoshi TAYA
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
- United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University
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Weng Q, Medan MS, Xu M, Tsubota T, Watanabe G, Taya K. Seasonal changes in immunolocalization of inhibin/activin subunits and testicular activity in wild male raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides). J Reprod Dev 2006; 52:503-10. [PMID: 16702758 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.18011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Thirty-four pairs of testes from wild adult raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) were obtained between September 2000 and May 2003. The cellular localization of the inhibin alpha and inhibin/activin (betaA and betaB) subunits in wild raccoon dog testes was investigated. The testicular weight and size and seminiferous tubule diameters were measured. There were marked seasonal variations in testicular weight and size and seminiferous tubule diameters, with values relatively low in September and high in March. Spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes were observed in September, and spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and round spermatids were present in January. All types of spermatogenic cells, including mature spermatozoa, were found in March, indicating that the breeding season is around March in Japan. Thereafter, spermatogonia and degenerating spermatocytes were observed in April. The sections of testes were immunostained by the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method (ABC) using polyclonal antisera raised against porcine inhibin alpha, inhibin/activin betaA and inhibin/activin betaB. The inhibin alpha and inhibin/activin (betaA and betaB) subunits were only expressed in Leydig cells in September. On the other hand, the inhibin alpha, betaA, and betaB subunits were observed in Leydig cells and Sertoli cells, but not in germ cells, in March. These results suggest that the testes of wild raccoon dogs have the ability to synthesize inhibins, and the cellular localization of inhibin/activin subunits showed season-related changes in the breeding and non-breeding seasons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Weng
- Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, China
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Yang P, Medan MS, Arai KY, Jin W, Watanabe G, Taya K. Secretion of inhibin and testicular expression of inhibin subunits in male duck embryos and newly hatched ducks. Endocrine 2005; 28:171-9. [PMID: 16388090 DOI: 10.1385/endo:28:2:171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2005] [Revised: 06/28/2005] [Accepted: 08/15/2005] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Concentrations of immunoreactive (ir-) inhibin in circulation, amniotic fluid, and testes of embryos and newly hatched ducks were determined from d 21 of incubation to d 1 of age. Plasma concentrations of FSH and LH were also determined by chicken radioimmunoassay (RIA) systems. In addition, gene expression and cellular source of inhibin were investigated by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. The results showed that plasma ir-inhibin gradually declined from d 21 to d 24, followed by an increase on d 25 and remained high until d 1 after hatching. FSH in plasma was high on d 21 followed by a sharp decline toward d 25 after which FSH levels stabilized. A reverse relationship was observed between inhibin and FSH during the late stage of incubation. Embryonic testes contained high ir-inhibin levels. Testicular ir-inhibin levels were relatively high at early time points with a peak on d 23, and significantly decreased from d 23 to d 24 and stabilized thereafter. Amniotic fluid concentrations of ir-inhibin were relatively low and remained constant between d 21 and d 25. In situ hybridization demonstrated that the expression of inhibin alpha- and betaA-subunit mRNA was coexisted in the cells in the seminiferous tubules of testes on d 25. The immunoreactivity of inhibin betaA- and betaB-subunits was colocalized in the cells in the seminiferous tubules of testes on d 25. The results of dimeric inhibins determined by the ELISA method showed that inhibin B can be measured in embryonic testicular homogenate and pooled embryonic plasma. Although inhibin A was detected in testicular homogenate, it was under the detection limit in pooled embryonic plasma. In conclusion, these results indicate that cells in the seminiferous tubules of embryonic testes in ducks may secrete dimeric (bioactive) inhibins to circulation and that the FSH-inhibin feedback loop may become operational during the late stage of the incubation.
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Affiliation(s)
- PeiXin Yang
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, 72205-7199, USA
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