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Ren Z, Yang Z, Yuan H, Song Y, He H, Nie L, Wang X, Yuan ZG, Zhang XX. 4D label-free proteomic analysis reveals key potential pathways of Toxoplasma invasion into the central nervous system. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 138:112618. [PMID: 38996663 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112618] [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: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a successful parasite capable of infecting a wide range of warm-blooded animals, including people, livestock, and wildlife. In individuals with intact immune function, T. gondii can invade the host brain tissue by altering the blood-brain barrier permeability, leading to chronic infection. Proteins play crucial regulatory roles in disease progression. By monitoring changes in proteins, a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying host resistance to infection and the potential pathogenic mechanisms of pathogens can be gained. This study analyzed differential protein expression and associated signaling pathways in mouse brain tissues during acute and chronic T. gondii infection using proteomic and bioinformatics methods. The results showed that during acute and chronic T. gondii infection stages, 74 and 498 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified in mouse brain tissue, respectively. Among them, 45 and 309 were up-regulated, while 29 and 189 were down-regulated. GO and KEGG analyses revealed that some of these DEPs were implicated in host immunity, pathogen immune evasion, and T. gondii invasion of the central nervous system, particularly interleukin production and secretion, complement system activation, and alterations in tight junction pathways. Notably, the upregulation of Rab13 was identified as a potential molecular mechanism for T. gondii to regulate blood-brain barrier permeability and facilitate central nervous system invasion. Our findings provided fundamental data for understanding host control of Toxoplasmosis infection and offered new insights into parasite immune evasion and invasion mechanisms within the central nervous system. These insights are crucial for developing strategies to prevent the establishment of chronic T. gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaowen Ren
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Scientific Observation and Key Laboratory for Prevention and Control of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Baishigang, Wushan Street, Tianhe District, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Zipeng Yang
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Hao Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yining Song
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Houjing He
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Linchong Nie
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaohu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Scientific Observation and Key Laboratory for Prevention and Control of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Baishigang, Wushan Street, Tianhe District, Guangzhou 510640, China.
| | - Zi-Guo Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
| | - Xiu-Xiang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
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Zheng S, Jiang L, Qiu L. The effects of fine particulate matter on the blood-testis barrier and its potential mechanisms. REVIEWS ON ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 2024; 39:233-249. [PMID: 36863426 DOI: 10.1515/reveh-2022-0204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
With the rapid expansion of industrial scale, an increasing number of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) has bringing health concerns. Although exposure to PM2.5 has been clearly associated with male reproductive toxicity, the exact mechanisms are still unclear. Recent studies demonstrated that exposure to PM2.5 can disturb spermatogenesis through destroying the blood-testis barrier (BTB), consisting of different junction types, containing tight junctions (TJs), gap junctions (GJs), ectoplasmic specialization (ES) and desmosomes. The BTB is one of the tightest blood-tissue barriers among mammals, which isolating germ cells from hazardous substances and immune cell infiltration during spermatogenesis. Therefore, once the BTB is destroyed, hazardous substances and immune cells will enter seminiferous tubule and cause adversely reproductive effects. In addition, PM2.5 also has shown to cause cells and tissues injury via inducing autophagy, inflammation, sex hormones disorder, and oxidative stress. However, the exact mechanisms of the disruption of the BTB, induced by PM2.5, are still unclear. It is suggested that more research is required to identify the potential mechanisms. In this review, we aim to understand the adverse effects on the BTB after exposure to PM2.5 and explore its potential mechanisms, which provides novel insight into accounting for PM2.5-induced BTB injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaokai Zheng
- School of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong, P. R. China
| | - Lianlian Jiang
- School of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong, P. R. China
| | - Lianglin Qiu
- School of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong, P. R. China
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Ma S, Mi Z, Wang Z, Sun L, Liu T, Shi P, Wang C, Xue X, Chen W, Wang Z, Yu Y, Zhang Y, Bao F, Wang N, Wang H, Xia Q, Liu H, Sun Y, Zhang F. Single-cell sequencing analysis reveals development and differentiation trajectory of Schwann cells manipulated by M. leprae. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011477. [PMID: 37478057 PMCID: PMC10361531 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND M. leprae preferentially infects Schwann cells (SCs) in the peripheral nerves leading to nerve damage and irreversible disability. Knowledge of how M. leprae infects and interacts with host SCs is essential for understanding mechanisms of nerve damage and revealing potential new therapeutic strategies. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We performed a time-course single-cell sequencing analysis of SCs infected with M. leprae at different time points, further analyzed the heterogeneity of SCs, subpopulations associated with M. leprae infection, developmental trajectory of SCs and validated by Western blot or flow cytometry. Different subpopulations of SCs exhibiting distinct genetic features and functional enrichments were present. We observed two subpopulations associated with M. leprae infection, a stem cell-like cell subpopulation increased significantly at 24 h but declined by 72 h after M. leprae infection, and an adipocyte-like cell subpopulation, emerged at 72 h post-infection. The results were validated and confirmed that a stem cell-like cell subpopulation was in the early stage of differentiation and could differentiate into an adipocyte-like cell subpopulation. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Our results present a systematic time-course analysis of SC heterogeneity after infection by M. leprae at single-cell resolution, provide valuable information to understand the critical biological processes underlying reprogramming and lipid metabolism during M. leprae infection of SCs, and increase understanding of the disease-causing mechanisms at play in leprosy patients as well as revealing potential new therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Ma
- Shandong Provincial Hospital for Skin Diseases & Shandong Provincial Institute of Dermatology and Venereology, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Zihao Mi
- Shandong Provincial Hospital for Skin Diseases & Shandong Provincial Institute of Dermatology and Venereology, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Zhenzhen Wang
- Shandong Provincial Hospital for Skin Diseases & Shandong Provincial Institute of Dermatology and Venereology, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Lele Sun
- Shandong Provincial Hospital for Skin Diseases & Shandong Provincial Institute of Dermatology and Venereology, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Tingting Liu
- Shandong Provincial Hospital for Skin Diseases & Shandong Provincial Institute of Dermatology and Venereology, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Peidian Shi
- Shandong Provincial Hospital for Skin Diseases & Shandong Provincial Institute of Dermatology and Venereology, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Chuan Wang
- Shandong Provincial Hospital for Skin Diseases & Shandong Provincial Institute of Dermatology and Venereology, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Xiaotong Xue
- Shandong Provincial Hospital for Skin Diseases & Shandong Provincial Institute of Dermatology and Venereology, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Wenjie Chen
- Shandong Provincial Hospital for Skin Diseases & Shandong Provincial Institute of Dermatology and Venereology, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Zhe Wang
- Shandong Provincial Hospital for Skin Diseases & Shandong Provincial Institute of Dermatology and Venereology, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yueqian Yu
- Shandong Provincial Hospital for Skin Diseases & Shandong Provincial Institute of Dermatology and Venereology, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- Shandong Provincial Hospital for Skin Diseases & Shandong Provincial Institute of Dermatology and Venereology, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Fangfang Bao
- Shandong Provincial Hospital for Skin Diseases & Shandong Provincial Institute of Dermatology and Venereology, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Na Wang
- Shandong Provincial Hospital for Skin Diseases & Shandong Provincial Institute of Dermatology and Venereology, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Honglei Wang
- Shandong Provincial Hospital for Skin Diseases & Shandong Provincial Institute of Dermatology and Venereology, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Qianqian Xia
- Shandong Provincial Hospital for Skin Diseases & Shandong Provincial Institute of Dermatology and Venereology, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Hong Liu
- Shandong Provincial Hospital for Skin Diseases & Shandong Provincial Institute of Dermatology and Venereology, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yonghu Sun
- Shandong Provincial Hospital for Skin Diseases & Shandong Provincial Institute of Dermatology and Venereology, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Furen Zhang
- Shandong Provincial Hospital for Skin Diseases & Shandong Provincial Institute of Dermatology and Venereology, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
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Chen Y, Chen X, Zhang H, Sha Y, Meng R, Shao T, Yang X, Jin P, Zhuang Y, Min W, Xu D, Jiang Z, Li Y, Li L, Yue W, Yin C. TBC1D21 is an essential factor for sperm mitochondrial sheath assembly and male fertility‡. Biol Reprod 2022; 107:619-634. [PMID: 35403672 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac069] [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: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
During spermiogenesis, the formation of the mitochondrial sheath is critical for male fertility. The molecular processes that govern the development of the mitochondrial sheath remain unknown. Whether TBC1D21 serves as a GTPase-activating protein (GAP) for GTP hydrolysis in the testis is unclear, despite recent findings indicating that it collaborates with numerous proteins to regulate the formation of the mitochondrial sheath. To thoroughly examine the property of TBC1D21 in spermiogenesis, we applied the CRISPR/Cas9 technology to generate the Tbc1d21-/- mice, Tbc1d21D125A R128K mice with mutation in the GAP catalytic residues (IxxDxxR), and Tbc1d21-3xFlag mice. Male Tbc1d21-/- mice were infertile due to the curved spermatozoa flagella. In vitro fertilization is ineffective for Tbc1d21-/- sperm, although healthy offspring were obtained by intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Electron microscopy revealed aberrant ultrastructural changes in the mitochondrial sheath. Thirty-four Rab vectors were constructed followed by co-immunoprecipitation, which identified RAB13 as a novel TBC1D21 binding protein. Interestingly, infertility was not observed in Tbc1d21D125A R128K mice harboring the catalytic residue, suggesting that TBC1D21 is not a typical GAP for Rab-GTP hydrolysis. Moreover, TBC1D21 was expressed in the sperm mitochondrial sheath in Tbc1d21-3xFlag mice. Immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry demonstrated the interactions of TBC1D21 with ACTB, TPM3, SPATA19, and VDAC3 to regulate the architecture of the sperm midpiece. The collective findings suggest that TBC1D21 is a scaffold protein required for the organization and stabilization of the mitochondrial sheath morphology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongjie Chen
- Central Laboratory, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiu Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Heze University, Heze, Shandong, China
| | - Haihang Zhang
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yanwei Sha
- Department of Andrology, United Diagnostic and Research Center for Clinical Genetics, School of Public Health & Women and Children's Hospital, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Ranran Meng
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Tianyu Shao
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyan Yang
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Pengpeng Jin
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yinghua Zhuang
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wanping Min
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Dan Xu
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhaodi Jiang
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yuhua Li
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Li
- Central Laboratory, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Wentao Yue
- Central Laboratory, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Chenghong Yin
- Central Laboratory, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, China
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Peng Z, Yang Q, Yeerken R, Chen J, Liu X, Li X. Multi-omics analyses reveal the mechanisms of Arsenic-induced male reproductive toxicity in mice. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 424:127548. [PMID: 34741939 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Arsenic (As), a widespread environmental contaminant, can induce serious male reproductive injury; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Multi-omics analyses, including transcriptome, proteome, and phosphoproteome could promote our understanding of As-induced male reproductive toxicity. Here, we established the reproductive injured mice model by intraperitoneal injection of NaAsO2 (8 mg/kg body weight), which was validated by reduced reproductive cells, sperm motility, and litter size. The followed multi-omics analyses of mice revealed that As exposure inhibited ATP production by decreasing the expression of proteins HK1, and GAPDHS, and the enzymatic activities of PDH and SDH. The inhibition of mitochondrial activity and increase in HDAC2 and MTA3 dysregulated the lysine acetylation levels of histone and global proteins. Specifically, the downregulated histones H4K5ac and H4K12ac and upregulated histone H3K9ac disordered the distribution of TP1 to interfere with spermatogenesis. Moreover, As could reduce the expression of COL1A1, RAB13, and LSR to disrupt the junctions between seminiferous tubules, and thereinto, the inhibition of RAB13 increased PKA-dependent phosphorylation. Our study reveals that As causes male reproductive toxicity through decreasing energy production, altering histone acetylation, and impairing cell junctions. Our findings provide basic data for further studies on As reproductive toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zijun Peng
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Qiangzhen Yang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Ranna Yeerken
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Jun Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Xurui Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Xinhong Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.
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Rab13 and Desmosome Redistribution in Uterine Epithelial Cells During Early Pregnancy. Reprod Sci 2021; 28:1981-1988. [PMID: 33527312 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-021-00478-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/24/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The luminal uterine epithelial cells are the first point of contact with the implanting blastocyst. Dramatic changes occur in the structure and function of these cells at the time of receptivity including changes in the lateral junctional complex. While these morphological changes are important for uterine receptivity, currently there is no known mechanism of regulation of the lateral junctional complexes. Rab13, a member of the Rab (Ras-related in the brain) family of GTPases has a critical role in endosomal trafficking to the lateral plasma membrane and is involved in modulation of the tight junction in several cell types. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of Rab13 in changes to the lateral junctional complex at the time of receptivity. Immunofluorescence microscopy demonstrated no association between Rab13 and ZO-1 (a tight junction protein) or Rab13 and E-cadherin (an integral component of adherens junctions). Co-localisation was demonstrated between Rab 13 and desmoglein-2 at the time of fertilization and also at receptivity suggesting involvement of Rab13 in relocalisation of desmoglein-2 and formation of giant desmosomes in the apical part of the lateral plasma membrane at the time of uterine receptivity. We suggest that despite the loss of the adherens junction at the time of receptivity, the presently reported redistribution of desmosomes regulated by Rab13 allows the uterine epithelium to maintain structural integrity.
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Aroclor1254 disrupts the blood-testis barrier by promoting endocytosis and degradation of junction proteins via p38 MAPK pathway. Cell Death Dis 2017; 8:e2823. [PMID: 28542131 PMCID: PMC5520738 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2017.224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2017] [Revised: 04/09/2017] [Accepted: 04/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The blood–testis barrier (BTB) constituted by coexisting junction apparatus between Sertoli cells (SCs) plays an important role in spermatogenesis, which is a known target of various environmental toxicants. The commercial polychlorinated biphenyls mixture, Aroclor1254, has been shown to impair male reproduction by decreasing sperm count and affecting SC metabolism. This study was designed to investigate the effects of Aroclor1254 on the BTB integrity and elucidate the underlying mechanisms. We found that Aroclor1254 treatment in rats (1 or 3 mg/kg per day for 21 consecutive days) and in primary cultured SCs (5 or 10 μg/ml for 48 h) could induce BTB disruption via p38 MAPK pathway, concurrently with increments in junction proteins (JAM-A, N-cadherin, and β-catenin) endocytosis, and occludin ubiquitination. Either inhibition of caveolin-dependent membrane protein internalization by cholesterol oxidase or silencing E3 ubiquitine ligase Itch by small interfering RNA could partially counteract the effects of Aroclor1254 on the barrier function of cultured SCs. These results demonstrate that Aroclor1254 disrupts the BTB function by promoting the caveolin-dependent endocytosis and ubiquitine–proteasome degradation of junction proteins through the p38 MAPK pathway, which might be the potential reasons for its negative effects on spermatogenesis and male reproduction.
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Luo Y, Wang X, Chen Y, Xu S, Ding G, Shi C. Effects of electromagnetic radiation on morphology and TGF-β3 expression in mouse testicular tissue. Toxicology 2013; 310:8-14. [PMID: 23707491 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2013.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2013] [Revised: 05/09/2013] [Accepted: 05/10/2013] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to electromagnetic pulses in certain doses may lead to increase in the permeability of the blood testes barrier (BTB) in mice, which in turn affects spermatogenesis, penetration and spermiation. TGF-β3 is a key molecule involved in BTB permeability via regulation of tight junction proteins, and it participates in regulating spermatogenesis, synthesis of steroids and production of the extracellular matrix in testicular tissue. Therefore, it is hypothesized that TGF-β3 plays important roles in electromagnetic pulse (EMP)-induced changes in BTB permeability. In the present study, we carried out whole-body irradiation on mice using EMP of different intensities. No obvious pathological changes or significant increase in apoptosis was detected in testicular tissues after exposure to 100 and 200 pulses of intensity 200kV/m; however, with 400 pulses we observed the degeneration and shrinkage of testicular tissues along with a significant increase in apoptotic rate. Moreover, in the 100- and 200-EMP groups, a non-significant increase in TGF-β3 mRNA and protein expression was observed, whereas in the 400-EMP group a significant increase was observed (P<0.05). These results indicate that increase in the apoptotic rate of testicular tissues and increase in TGF-β3 expression may be one of the mechanisms for EMP-induced increase in BTB permeability in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaning Luo
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Changle West Road, Xi'an 710038, China
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