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Liguori G, Tafuri S, Pelagalli A, Ali’ S, Russo M, Mirabella N, Squillacioti C. G Protein-Coupled Estrogen Receptor (GPER) and ERs Are Modulated in the Testis-Epididymal Complex in the Normal and Cryptorchid Dog. Vet Sci 2024; 11:21. [PMID: 38250927 PMCID: PMC10820011 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci11010021] [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: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
There is growing evidence by the literature that the unbalance between androgens and estrogens is a relevant condition associated with a common canine reproductive disorder known as cryptorchidism. The role of estrogens in regulating testicular cell function and reproductive events is supposedly due to the wide expression of two nuclear estrogen receptors (ERs), ER-alpha and ER-beta and a trans-membrane G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) in the testis. In this study, immunohistochemistry, Western blotting and qRT-PCR were used to assess the distribution and expression of GPER in the testis-epididymal complex in the normal and cryptorchid dog. ER-alpha and ER-beta were also evaluated to better characterize the relative abundances of all three receptors. In addition, in these tissues, the expression level of two proteins as SOD1 and Nrf2 normally associated with oxidative stress was investigated to evaluate a possible relationship with ERs. Our data revealed changes in the distribution and expression of the GPER between the normal and cryptorchid dog. In particular, dogs affected by cryptorchidism showed an upregulation of GPER at level of the examined reproductive tract. Also considering the obtained result of a modulation of SOD1 and Nrf2 expression, we could hypothesize the involvement of GPER in the cryptorchid condition. Further studies are, however, necessary to characterize the role of GPER and its specific signaling mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Liguori
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Napoli Federico II, 80137 Naples, Italy; (G.L.); (S.T.); (S.A.); (M.R.); (N.M.); (C.S.)
- Department of Prevention, ASL FG, Piazza Pavoncelli 11, 71121 Foggia, Italy
| | - Simona Tafuri
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Napoli Federico II, 80137 Naples, Italy; (G.L.); (S.T.); (S.A.); (M.R.); (N.M.); (C.S.)
| | - Alessandra Pelagalli
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Napoli Federico II, 80137 Naples, Italy
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimages, National Research Council, Via De Amicis 95, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Sabrina Ali’
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Napoli Federico II, 80137 Naples, Italy; (G.L.); (S.T.); (S.A.); (M.R.); (N.M.); (C.S.)
| | - Marco Russo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Napoli Federico II, 80137 Naples, Italy; (G.L.); (S.T.); (S.A.); (M.R.); (N.M.); (C.S.)
| | - Nicola Mirabella
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Napoli Federico II, 80137 Naples, Italy; (G.L.); (S.T.); (S.A.); (M.R.); (N.M.); (C.S.)
| | - Caterina Squillacioti
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Napoli Federico II, 80137 Naples, Italy; (G.L.); (S.T.); (S.A.); (M.R.); (N.M.); (C.S.)
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Costagliola A, Lombardi R, Liguori G, Morrione A, Giordano A. Orexins and Prostate Cancer: State of the Art and Potential Experimental and Therapeutic Perspectives. Cancer Genomics Proteomics 2023; 20:637-645. [PMID: 38035703 PMCID: PMC10687730 DOI: 10.21873/cgp.20412] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most common cancer in humans. Peptides have recently been used as targeted therapeutics in cancers, due to their extensive multi-functional applications. Two hypothalamic peptides, orexins A (OXA) and B (OXB) and their specific receptors, orexin receptor 1 (OX1R) and 2 (OX2R), orchestrate several biological processes in the central nervous system and peripheral organs. However, in addition to their role in physiological responses, orexins are involved in numerous inflammatory and/or neoplastic pathologies. The presence and expression of orexins in different cancer models, including prostate cancer, and their role in inducing pro- or anti-apoptotic responses in tumor cell lines, suggest that the orexinergic system might have potential therapeutic action or function as a diagnostic marker in PCa. In addition to the traditional animal models for studying human PCa, the canine model might also serve as an additional tool, due to its clinical similarities with human prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Costagliola
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Renato Lombardi
- Local Health Authority, ASL, Foggia, Italy
- Unit of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceuticals, IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | - Giovanna Liguori
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy;
- Local Health Authority, ASL, Foggia, Italy
| | - Andrea Morrione
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biotechnology, Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A
| | - Antonio Giordano
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biotechnology, Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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Kouhetsani S, Khazali H, Rajabi-Maham H. Orexin antagonism and substance-P: Effects and interactions on polycystic ovary syndrome in the wistar rats. J Ovarian Res 2023; 16:89. [PMID: 37147728 PMCID: PMC10161431 DOI: 10.1186/s13048-023-01168-4] [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: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine disorder without definitive treatments. Orexin and Substance-P (SP) neuropeptides can affect the ovarian steroidogenesis. Moreover, there are limited studies about the role of these neuropeptides in PCOS. We aimed here to clarify the effects of orexins and SP in PCOS as well as any possible interactions between them. METHODS For this purpose, the animals (n = five rats per group) received intraperitoneally a single dose of SB-334,867-A (orexin-1 receptor antagonist; OX1Ra), JNJ-10,397,049 (orexin-2 receptor antagonist; OX2Ra), and CP-96,345 (neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist; NK1Ra), alone or in combination with each other after two months of PCOS induction. The blocking of orexin and SP receptors was studied in terms of ovarian histology, hormonal changes, and gene expression of ovarian steroidogenic enzymes. RESULTS The antagonists' treatment did not significantly affect the formation of ovarian cysts. In the PCOS groups, the co-administration of OX1Ra and OX2Ra as well as their simultaneous injections with NK1Ra significantly reversed testosterone levels and Cyp19a1 gene expression when compared to the PCOS control group. There were no significant interactions between the PCOS groups that received NK1Ra together with one or both OX1R- and OX2R-antagonists. CONCLUSION The blocking of the orexin receptors modulates abnormal ovarian steroidogenesis in the PCOS model of rats. This suggests that the binding of orexin-A and -B to their receptors reduces Cyp19a1 gene expression while increasing testosterone levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somayeh Kouhetsani
- Department of Animal Sciences and Marine Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Homayoun Khazali
- Department of Animal Sciences and Marine Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Hassan Rajabi-Maham
- Department of Animal Sciences and Marine Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
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Squillacioti C, Pelagalli A, Assisi L, Costagliola A, Van Nassauw L, Mirabella N, Liguori G. Does Orexin B-Binding Receptor 2 for Orexins Regulate Testicular and Epididymal Functions in Normal and Cryptorchid Dogs? Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:880022. [PMID: 35903144 PMCID: PMC9323089 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.880022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Orexins A (OXA) and B (OXB) and the receptors 1 (OX1R) and 2 (OX2R) for orexins are hypothalamic peptides found in several mammalian organs and participated to the control of a wide assortment of physiological and pathological functions. The distribution of OXA and OX1R has been extensively studied in the male gonad of mammals. Here, we examined the expression and localization of OXB and OX2R as well as their possible involvement in the regulation of testicular and epididymal functions, in healthy and cryptorchid dogs, employing some techniques such as immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and real-time RT-PCR. In vitro tests were also carried out for evaluating the steroidogenic effect of OXB. OXB and OX2R were expressed in spermatocytes, spermatids, and Leydig cells in normal testis. Their localization was restricted to Sertoli and Leydig cells in cryptorchid conditions. OXB was found to be localized in all tracts of both normal and cryptorchid epididymis, whereas OX2R was found only in the caput. Because the small molecular weight of the peptides OXA and OXB, the expression of their precursor prepro-orexin (PPO), OX1R, and OX2R proteins and mRNAs were investigated by means of Western blot and real-time RT-PCR analyses, respectively, in all tested groups of. In particular, the mRNA level expression of all three genes was higher in cryptorchid dogs than in normal ones. In vitro tests demonstrated that OXB—by binding OX2R—is not involved in testicular steroidogenic processes. Therefore, the findings of this study might be the basis for further functional and molecular studies addressing the possible biochemical effects of OXB and OX2R in normal and pathological conditions of the male reproductive system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Squillacioti
- Laboratory of Anatomy, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandra Pelagalli
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimages (IBB), National Research Council (CNR), Naples, Italy
- *Correspondence: Alessandra Pelagalli
| | - Loredana Assisi
- Department of Biology, University of Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Costagliola
- Laboratory of Anatomy, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Luc Van Nassauw
- Laboratory of Human Anatomy and Embryology, Department ASTARC, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Nicola Mirabella
- Laboratory of Anatomy, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanna Liguori
- Laboratory of Anatomy, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
- Department of Prevention, ASL FG, Foggia, Italy
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Aquaporins Are Differentially Regulated in Canine Cryptorchid Efferent Ductules and Epididymis. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11061539. [PMID: 34070358 PMCID: PMC8227126 DOI: 10.3390/ani11061539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The distribution and expression of aquaporins (AQPs) in the testes and spermatozoa of several animal species play important roles in spermatogenesis and spermatozoon transit in this region. The aim of this study was to evaluate AQP7, AQP8, and AQP9 localization and expression in the efferent ductules and epididymal regions (the caput, corpus, and cauda) of normal and cryptorchid dogs. The results from immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) show regional tissue distributions, particularly at the level of the epithelium of efferent ductules and both the regions caput and cauda of the canine cryptorchid epididymis. These findings support the hypothesis that these channel proteins respond differently to multiple stimuli that cause cryptorchidism (hormones, heat, osmolarity, etc.) and participate in the mechanisms of cell “resilience” or apoptosis taking place in the epididymis. Abstract The efferent ductules and the epididymis are parts of the male reproductive system where spermatozoa mature. Specialized epithelial cells in these ducts contribute to the transport of fluids produced by spermatozoa’s metabolic activity. Aquaporins (AQPs) have been demonstrated to be expressed in the spermatozoan membrane and testis epithelial cells, where they contribute to regulating spermatozoan volume and transit through environments of differing osmolality. Due to the lack of detailed literature regarding AQP expression in the canine male genital tract, the aim of this study was to investigate both the distribution and expression of AQP7, AQP8, and AQP9 in the efferent ductules and epididymal regions (caput, corpus, and cauda) from normal and cryptorchid dogs by using immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Our results show different patterns for the distribution and expression of the examined AQPs, with particular evidence of their upregulation in the caput and downregulation in the cauda region of the canine cryptorchid epididymis. These findings are associated with a modulation of Hsp70 and caspase-3 expression, suggesting the participation of AQPs in the luminal microenvironment modifications that are peculiar characteristics of this pathophysiological condition.
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