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Eid N. Mitophagy in spermatogenesis: Roles and mechanisms. Biochem Biophys Rep 2024; 38:101730. [PMID: 38766385 PMCID: PMC11101851 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2024.101730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Nabil Eid
- Anatomy Department, Division of Human Biology, School of Medicine, International Medical University (IMU University), 57000, Kula Lumpur, Malaysia
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2
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Yang F, Yang X, Zhu H, Wang X, Liao X, Fu Y, Fu T, Chen X, Sysa A, Lyu J, Zhou H. The essential role of adenine nucleotide translocase 4 on male reproductive function in mice. Braz J Med Biol Res 2024; 57:e13590. [PMID: 38808891 PMCID: PMC11136480 DOI: 10.1590/1414-431x2024e13590] [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: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Adenine nucleotide translocator 4 (Ant4), an ATP/ADP transporter expressed in the early phases of spermatogenesis, plays a crucial role in male fertility. While Ant4 loss causes early arrest of meiosis and increased apoptosis of spermatogenic cells in male mice, its other potential functions in male fertility remain unexplored. Here, we utilized Ant4 knockout mice to delineate the effects of Ant4-deficiency on male reproduction. Our observations demonstrated that Ant4-deficiency led to infertility and impaired testicular development, which was further investigated by evaluating testicular oxidative stress, autophagy, and inflammation. Specifically, the loss of Ant4 led to an imbalance of oxidation and antioxidants. Significant ultrastructural alterations were identified in the testicular tissues of Ant4-deficient mice, including swelling of mitochondria, loss of cristae, and accumulation of autophagosomes. Our results also showed that autophagic flux and AKT-AMPK-mTOR signaling pathway were affected in Ant4-deficient mice. Moreover, Ant4 loss increased the expression of pro-inflammatory factors. Overall, our findings underscored the importance of Ant4 in regulating oxidative stress, autophagy, and inflammation in testicular tissues. Taken together, these insights provided a nuanced understanding of the significance of Ant4 in testicular development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengyuan Yang
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, College of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Xiali Yang
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, College of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Hui Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, College of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Xinbo Wang
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, College of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Xin Liao
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, College of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Yinxu Fu
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, College of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Ting Fu
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Bioengineering, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Biomarkers and In Vitro Diagnosis Translation of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | | | | | - Jianxin Lyu
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, College of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Huaibin Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, College of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
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3
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Sales CF, Pinheiro APB, Ribeiro YM, Moreira DP, Luz RK, Melo RMC, Rizzo E. Starvation-induced autophagy modulates spermatogenesis and sperm quality in Nile tilapia. Theriogenology 2024; 216:42-52. [PMID: 38154205 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.11.030] [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: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a finely regulated process that involves the interaction of several cellular mechanisms to ensure the proper development and maturation of germ cells. This study assessed autophagy contribution and its relation to apoptosis in fish spermatogenesis during starvation. To that end, Nile tilapia males were subjected to 0 (control), 7, 14, 21, and 28 days of starvation to induce autophagy. Testes samples were obtained for analyses of spermatogenesis by histology, electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and western blotting. Sperm quality was assessed using a computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) system. Data indicated a significant reduction in gonadosomatic index, seminiferous tubule area, and spermatozoa proportion in fish subject to starvation compared to the control group. Immunoblotting revealed a reduction of Bcl2 and Beclin 1 associated with increased Bax and Caspase-3, mainly after 21 and 28 days of starvation. LC3 and P62 indicated reduced autophagic flux in these starvation times. Immunolabeling for autophagic and apoptotic proteins occurred in all development stages of the germ cells, but protein expression varied throughout starvation. Beclin 1 and Cathepsin D decreased while Bax and Caspase-3 increased in spermatocytes, spermatids, and spermatozoa after 21 and 28 days. Autophagic and lysosomal proteins colocalization indicated the fusion of autophagosomes with lysosomes and lysosomal degradation in spermatogenic cells. The CASA system indicated reduced sperm motility and velocity in animals subjected to 21 and 28 days of starvation. Altogether, the data support autophagy acting at different spermatogenesis stages in Nile tilapia, with decreased autophagy and increased apoptosis after 21 and 28 days of starvation, which results in a decrease in the spermatozoa number and sperm quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Ferreira Sales
- Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Barbosa Pinheiro
- Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Yves Moreira Ribeiro
- Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Davidson Peruci Moreira
- Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ronald Kennedy Luz
- Laboratório de Aquacultura, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Rafael Magno Costa Melo
- Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Elizete Rizzo
- Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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4
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Chen L, Tao G, Yang M. Machine-learning-based prediction of a diagnostic model using autophagy-related genes based on RNA sequencing for patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma. Open Med (Wars) 2024; 19:20240896. [PMID: 38463514 PMCID: PMC10921443 DOI: 10.1515/med-2024-0896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common type of thyroid cancer and belongs to the category of malignant tumors of the thyroid gland. Autophagy plays an important role in PTC. The purpose of this study is to develop a novel diagnostic model using autophagy-related genes (ARGs) in patients. In this study, RNA sequencing data of PTC samples and normal samples were obtained from GSE33630 and GSE29265. Then, we analyzed GSE33630 datasets and identified 127 DE-ARGs. Functional enrichment analysis suggested that 127 DE-ARGs were mainly enriched in pathways in cancer, protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum, toll-like receptor pathway, MAPK pathway, apoptosis, neurotrophin signaling pathway, and regulation of autophagy. Subsequently, CALCOCO2, DAPK1, and RAC1 among the 127 DE-ARGs were identified as diagnostic genes by support vector machine recursive feature elimination and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator algorithms. Then, we developed a novel diagnostic model using CALCOCO2, DAPK1, and RAC1 and its diagnostic value was confirmed in GSE29265 and our cohorts. Importantly, CALCOCO2 may be a critical regulator involved in immune microenvironment because its expression was related to many types of immune cells. Overall, we developed a novel diagnostic model using CALCOCO2, DAPK1, and RAC1 which can be used as diagnostic markers of PTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Chen
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, People’s Hospital of Chongqing Liang jiang New Area, Chongqing, China
| | - Gaofeng Tao
- Department of Medicine and Education, People’s Hospital of Chongqing Liang jiang New Area, Chongqing, China
| | - Mei Yang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, People’s Hospital of Chongqing Liang jiang New Area, Chongqing, China
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5
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Restrepo LJ, Baehrecke EH. Regulation and Functions of Autophagy During Animal Development. J Mol Biol 2024:168473. [PMID: 38311234 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2024.168473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Autophagy is used to degrade cytoplasmic materials, and is critical to maintain cell and organismal health in diverse animals. Here we discuss the regulation, utilization and impact of autophagy on development, including roles in oogenesis, spermatogenesis and embryogenesis in animals. We also describe how autophagy influences postembryonic development in the context of neuronal and cardiac development, wound healing, and tissue regeneration. We describe recent studies of selective autophagy during development, including mitochondria-selective autophagy and endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-selective autophagy. Studies of developing model systems have also been used to discover novel regulators of autophagy, and we explain how studies of autophagy in these physiologically relevant systems are advancing our understanding of this important catabolic process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas J Restrepo
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605 USA
| | - Eric H Baehrecke
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605 USA.
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6
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Duan H, Yang S, Xiao L, Yang S, Yan Z, Wang F, Ma X, Zhang L, Zhang Y, Hu J, Zhao X. Melatonin promotes progesterone secretion in sheep luteal cells by regulating autophagy via the AMPK/mTOR pathway. Theriogenology 2024; 214:342-351. [PMID: 37976799 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.11.010] [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: 09/02/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
The corpus luteum is primarily responsible for the production and secretion of progesterone. Melatonin has been established to regulate autophagy and induce progesterone secretion in luteal cell. However, whether melatonin affects progesterone secretion by interfering with autophagy is yet to be reported. In the present study, the expression levels of melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2), autophagy-related protein Beclin1 (Bec1), microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 B (LC3B), progesterone and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), and cytochrome P450scc (CYP11A1) were analyzed in the corpus luteum of sheep at different stages (early, middle, and late); specifically, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, immunohistochemical staining, and western blotting were utilized for this expression analysis. In addition, to determine whether melatonin regulated progesterone secretion via the regulation of autophagy, luteal cells were cultured before being exposed to different concentrations of melatonin (0.01-100 nM) and the autophagy inhibitor chloroquine (50 μM). Next, luteal cells were treated with the melatonin receptor inhibitors 4-phenyl-2-propionamidotetralin (1 μM) and luzindole (1 μM) before detecting Bec1, LC3B2, AMPK/mTOR, and progesterone secretion levels to ascertain whether the effect of melatonin on autophagy and progesterone secretion is mediated by its corresponding receptors in luteal cells. Finally, to determine the significance of the AMPK/mTOR pathway in this process, an AMPK inhibitor, Compound C (10 μM), was added to luteal cells. Overall, the highest expression of melatonin receptors, autophagy and progesterone secretion was observed in the middle-phase corpus luteum; additionally, melatonin promoted autophagy, at least partially, through its receptor-mediated AMPK/mTOR pathway, which thereby promoting progesterone secretion in luteal cells in vitro. Ultimately, this study is the first to clarify the important role of autophagy in the melatonin-mediated regulation of progesterone secretion in the corpus luteum of sheep; it also lays a foundation for further exploration into the role of melatonin in regulating sheep's ovarian function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongwei Duan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, Gansu, China; Gansu Key Laboratory of Animal Generational Physiology and Reproductive Regulation, Lanzhou, 730070, Gansu, China
| | - Shuai Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, Gansu, China; Gansu Key Laboratory of Animal Generational Physiology and Reproductive Regulation, Lanzhou, 730070, Gansu, China
| | - Longfei Xiao
- Animal Science and Technology College, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Shanshan Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, Gansu, China
| | - Zhenxing Yan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, Gansu, China; Gansu Key Laboratory of Animal Generational Physiology and Reproductive Regulation, Lanzhou, 730070, Gansu, China
| | - Fang Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, Gansu, China; Gansu Key Laboratory of Animal Generational Physiology and Reproductive Regulation, Lanzhou, 730070, Gansu, China
| | - Xiaofei Ma
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, Gansu, China; Gansu Key Laboratory of Animal Generational Physiology and Reproductive Regulation, Lanzhou, 730070, Gansu, China
| | - Lihong Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, Gansu, China; Gansu Key Laboratory of Animal Generational Physiology and Reproductive Regulation, Lanzhou, 730070, Gansu, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, Gansu, China; Gansu Key Laboratory of Animal Generational Physiology and Reproductive Regulation, Lanzhou, 730070, Gansu, China
| | - Junjie Hu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, Gansu, China; Gansu Key Laboratory of Animal Generational Physiology and Reproductive Regulation, Lanzhou, 730070, Gansu, China.
| | - Xingxu Zhao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, Gansu, China; Gansu Key Laboratory of Animal Generational Physiology and Reproductive Regulation, Lanzhou, 730070, Gansu, China.
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7
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Shakes DC. Sperm bud mitochondria to adjust the numbers. Nat Cell Biol 2023; 25:1564-1565. [PMID: 37945827 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-023-01255-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Diane C Shakes
- Dept. of Biology, William & Mary, Williamsburg, VA, USA.
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8
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Hong Y, Zhou X, Li Q, Chen J, Wei Y, Wang S, Zheng X, Zhao J, Yu C, Pei J, Zhang J, Long C, Shen L, Wu S, Wei G. Wnt10a downregulation contributes to MEHP-induced disruption of self-renewal and differentiation balance and proliferation inhibition in GC-1 cells: Insights from multiple transcriptomic profiling. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 333:122091. [PMID: 37364752 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122091] [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: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), one of phthalic acid esters, has been widely used in daily products. Its main metabolite, mono (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) was reported to possess higher testicular toxicity than DEHP. To explore the precise mechanism in MEHP-induced testis damage, multiple transcriptomic sequencing was employed in spermatogonia cell line GC-1 cells treated with MEHP (0, 100, and 200 μM) for 24 h. Integrative omics analysis and empirical validation revealed that Wnt signaling pathway was downregulated and wnt10a, one of hub genes, may be the key player in this process. Similar results were observed in DEHP-exposed rats. MEHP-induced disturbance of self-renewal and differentiation was dose-dependent. Moreover, self-renewal proteins were downregulated; the differentiation level was stimulated. Meanwhile, GC-1 proliferation was decreased. Stable transformation strain of wnt10a overexpression GC-1 cell line constructed from lentivirus was utilized in this study. The upregulation of Wnt10a significantly reversed the dysfunction of self-renewal and differentiation and promoted the cell proliferation. Finally, retinol, predicted to be useful in CONNECTIVITY MAP (cMAP), failed to rescue the damage caused by MEHP. Cumulatively, our findings revealed that the downregulation of Wnt10a induced the imbalance of self-renew and differentiation, and inhibition of cell proliferation in GC-1 cells after MEHP exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Hong
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, PR China; Pediatric Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, PR China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders; National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders; China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, PR China
| | - Xiazhu Zhou
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, PR China; Pediatric Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, PR China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders; National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders; China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, PR China
| | - Qi Li
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, PR China; Pediatric Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, PR China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders; National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders; China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, PR China
| | - Jing Chen
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, PR China; Pediatric Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, PR China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders; National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders; China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, PR China
| | - Yuexin Wei
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, PR China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders; National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders; China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, PR China
| | - Siyuan Wang
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, PR China; Pediatric Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, PR China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders; National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders; China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, PR China
| | - Xiangqin Zheng
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, PR China; Pediatric Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, PR China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders; National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders; China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, PR China
| | - Jie Zhao
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, PR China; Pediatric Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, PR China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders; National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders; China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, PR China
| | - Chengjun Yu
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, PR China; Pediatric Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, PR China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders; National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders; China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, PR China
| | - Jun Pei
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, PR China; Pediatric Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, PR China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders; National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders; China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, PR China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, PR China; Pediatric Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, PR China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders; National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders; China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, PR China
| | - Chunlan Long
- Pediatric Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, PR China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders; National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders; China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, PR China
| | - Lianju Shen
- Pediatric Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, PR China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders; National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders; China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, PR China
| | - Shengde Wu
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, PR China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders; National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders; China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, PR China.
| | - Guanghui Wei
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, PR China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders; National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders; China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, PR China
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9
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Ali W, Deng K, Sun J, Ma Y, Liu Z, Zou H. A new insight of cadmium-induced cellular evidence of autophagic-associated spermiophagy during spermatogenesis. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:101064-101074. [PMID: 37646926 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-29548-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Autophagy plays a dynamic role in spermatozoa development during spermatogenesis. However, the disruption of autophagic flux induces cell death under metal toxicity and severe oxidative stress. Therefore, we hypothesized that cadmium-induced autophagy might be involved in this mechanism. To verify this hypothesis, we studied cadmium-induced cellular evidence of autophagic-associated spermiophagy within the testis. In the present study, treatment with cadmium caused nuclear depressive disorders and vacuolated mitochondrial damage of Sertoli cells. In addition, spermiophagy through the cellular evidence of spermatozoa phagocytosis, the high lysosomal activity (lysosome engulfment and phagolysosome), and autophagy activity (autolysosome and autophagosome) were observed in the Sertoli cells. The immunohistochemistry of lysosomal membrane protein (LAMP2) to target the phagocytosis of spermatozoa revealed that the immunoreactivity of LAMP2 was overstimulated in the luminal compartment of testis's seminiferous tubules. In addition, the immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence of autophagy-related protein and microtubule-associated light chain (LC3) results showed the strong immunoreactivity and immunosignaling of LC3 in the Sertoli cells of the testis. Moreover, cadmium caused the overactivation of the expression level of autophagy-related proteins, autophagy-related gene (ATG7), (ATG5), beclin1, LC3, sequestosome 1 (P62), and LAMP2 which were confirmed by western blotting. In summary, this study demonstrated that hazards related to cadmium-induced autophagic-associated spermiophagy with the disruption of autophagic flux, providing new insights into the toxicity of cadmium in mammals and representing a high risk to male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waseem Ali
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University Yangzhou, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Kai Deng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University Yangzhou, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian Sun
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University Yangzhou, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Yonggang Ma
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University Yangzhou, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Zongping Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University Yangzhou, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Zou
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University Yangzhou, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China.
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China.
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China.
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10
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Shan T, Li LY, Yang JM, Cheng Y. Role and clinical implication of autophagy in COVID-19. Virol J 2023; 20:125. [PMID: 37328875 PMCID: PMC10276507 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-023-02069-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic constitutes a serious public health concern worldwide. Currently, more than 6 million deaths have occurred despite drastic containment measures, and this number is still increasing. Currently, no standard therapies for COVID-19 are available, which necessitates identifying effective preventive and therapeutic agents against COVID-19. However, developing new drugs and vaccines is a time-consuming process, and therefore, repurposing the existing drugs or redeveloping related targets seems to be the best strategy to develop effective therapeutics against COVID-19. Autophagy, a multistep lysosomal degradation pathway contributing to nutrient recycling and metabolic adaptation, is involved in the initiation and progression of numerous diseases as a part of an immune response. The key role of autophagy in antiviral immunity has been extensively studied. Moreover, autophagy can directly eliminate intracellular microorganisms by selective autophagy, that is, "xenophagy." However, viruses have acquired diverse strategies to exploit autophagy for their infection and replication. This review aims to trigger the interest in the field of autophagy as an antiviral target for viral pathogens (with an emphasis on COVID-19). We base this hypothesis on summarizing the classification and structure of coronaviruses as well as the process of SARS-CoV-2 infection and replication; providing the common understanding of autophagy; reviewing interactions between the mechanisms of viral entry/replication and the autophagy pathways; and discussing the current state of clinical trials of autophagy-modifying drugs in the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection. We anticipate that this review will contribute to the rapid development of therapeutics and vaccines against COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianjiao Shan
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China
- Hunan Provincial Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine and Innovative Drug, Changsha, 410011, China
| | - Lan-Ya Li
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China
- Hunan Provincial Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine and Innovative Drug, Changsha, 410011, China
| | - Jin-Ming Yang
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, Department of Pharmacology, and Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA.
| | - Yan Cheng
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China.
- Hunan Provincial Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine and Innovative Drug, Changsha, 410011, China.
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11
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Costa J, Braga PC, Rebelo I, Oliveira PF, Alves MG. Mitochondria Quality Control and Male Fertility. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:827. [PMID: 37372112 DOI: 10.3390/biology12060827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondria are pivotal to cellular homeostasis, performing vital functions such as bioenergetics, biosynthesis, and cell signalling. Proper maintenance of these processes is crucial to prevent disease development and ensure optimal cell function. Mitochondrial dynamics, including fission, fusion, biogenesis, mitophagy, and apoptosis, maintain mitochondrial quality control, which is essential for overall cell health. In male reproduction, mitochondria play a pivotal role in germ cell development and any defects in mitochondrial quality can have serious consequences on male fertility. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) also play a crucial role in sperm capacitation, but excessive ROS levels can trigger oxidative damage. Any imbalance between ROS and sperm quality control, caused by non-communicable diseases or environmental factors, can lead to an increase in oxidative stress, cell damage, and apoptosis, which in turn affect sperm concentration, quality, and motility. Therefore, assessing mitochondrial functionality and quality control is essential to gain valuable insights into male infertility. In sum, proper mitochondrial functionality is essential for overall health, and particularly important for male fertility. The assessment of mitochondrial functionality and quality control can provide crucial information for the study and management of male infertility and may lead to the development of new strategies for its management.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Costa
- Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- ITR-Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, 4050-600 Porto, Portugal
| | - Patrícia C Braga
- Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- ITR-Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, 4050-600 Porto, Portugal
- Laboratory of Physiology, Department of Imuno-Physiology and Pharmacology, ICBAS-School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Irene Rebelo
- UCIBIO-REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Biologic Sciences, Pharmaceutical Faculty, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB-Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Biologic Sciences, Pharmaceutical Faculty, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro F Oliveira
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Marco G Alves
- Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- ITR-Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, 4050-600 Porto, Portugal
- Laboratory of Physiology, Department of Imuno-Physiology and Pharmacology, ICBAS-School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
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12
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Kirat D, Alahwany AM, Arisha AH, Abdelkhalek A, Miyasho T. Role of Macroautophagy in Mammalian Male Reproductive Physiology. Cells 2023; 12:cells12091322. [PMID: 37174722 PMCID: PMC10177121 DOI: 10.3390/cells12091322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Physiologically, autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved and self-degradative process in cells. Autophagy carries out normal physiological roles throughout mammalian life. Accumulating evidence shows autophagy as a mechanism for cellular growth, development, differentiation, survival, and homeostasis. In male reproductive systems, normal spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis need a balance between degradation and energy supply to preserve cellular metabolic homeostasis. The main process of autophagy includes the formation and maturation of the phagophore, autophagosome, and autolysosome. Autophagy is controlled by a group of autophagy-related genes that form the core machinery of autophagy. Three types of autophagy mechanisms have been discovered in mammalian cells: macroautophagy, microautophagy, and chaperone-mediated autophagy. Autophagy is classified as non-selective or selective. Non-selective macroautophagy randomly engulfs the cytoplasmic components in autophagosomes that are degraded by lysosomal enzymes. While selective macroautophagy precisely identifies and degrades a specific element, current findings have shown the novel functional roles of autophagy in male reproduction. It has been recognized that dysfunction in the autophagy process can be associated with male infertility. Overall, this review provides an overview of the cellular and molecular basics of autophagy and summarizes the latest findings on the key role of autophagy in mammalian male reproductive physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doaa Kirat
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Mohamed Alahwany
- Department of Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Cairo, Badr City 11829, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Hamed Arisha
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
- Department of Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Cairo, Badr City 11829, Egypt
| | - Adel Abdelkhalek
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Cairo, Badr City 11829, Egypt
| | - Taku Miyasho
- Laboratory of Animal Biological Responses, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Rakuno Gakuen University, Ebetsu, Hokkaido 069-8501, Japan
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13
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Shi J, Gao S, Chen Z, Chen Z, Yun D, Wu X, Sun F. Absence of MerTK disrupts spermatogenesis in an age-dependent manner. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2023; 560:111815. [PMID: 36379275 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2022.111815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a highly specialized cell differentiation process regulated by the testicular microenvironment. During the process of spermatogenesis, phagocytosis performs an essential role in male germ cell development, and its dysfunction in the testis can cause reproduction defects. MerTK, as a critical protein of phagocytosis, facilitates the removal of apoptotic substrates from the retina and ovaries through cooperation with several phagocytosis receptors. However, its role in mammalian spermatogenesis remains undefined. Here, we found that 30-week-old MerTK-/- male mice developed oligoasthenospermia due to abnormal spermatogenesis. These mice showed damaged seminiferous tubule structure, as well as altered spermatogonia proliferation and differentiation. We also found that Sertoli cells from MerTK-/- mice had decreased phagocytic activity on apoptotic germ cells in vitro. Moreover, a transcriptomic analysis demonstrated that the pivotal genes involved in spermatid differentiation and development changed expression. These results indicate that MerTK is crucial for spermatogenesis, as it regulates the crosstalk between germ cells and Sertoli cells. This provides us insight into the molecular mechanism of MerTK on spermatogenesis and its implications for the diagnosis and treatment of human male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Shi
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Sheng Gao
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Zhengru Chen
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Zifeng Chen
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Damin Yun
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Xiaolong Wu
- Department of Urology & Andrology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, China
| | - Fei Sun
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China.
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14
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Guo Y, Li J, Hao F, Yang Y, Yang H, Chang Q, Kong P, Liu W, Jiao X, Teng X. A new perspective on semen quality of aged male: The characteristics of metabolomics and proteomics. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 13:1058250. [PMID: 36686470 PMCID: PMC9848653 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1058250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Semen quality is negatively correlated with male age and is mainly quantified by a routine semen analysis, which is descriptive and inconclusive. Sperm proteins or semen metabolites are used as the intermediate or end-products, reflecting changes in semen quality, and hold much promise as a new biomarker to predict fertility in advanced-aged males. Objectives In this study, we sought to assess whether the semen metabolome and proteome of aged males can affect semen quality and serve as biomarkers for predicting semen quality. Materials and methods We retrospectively analyzed 12825 males that underwent semen routine analysis to understand the age-dependent changes in sperm quality. To identify the difference between aged and young adults, metabolomics (n=60) analyses of semen and proteomics (n=12) analyses of sperm were conducted. Finally, integrated machine learning of metabolomics was conducted to screen biomarkers to identify aging semen. Results We discovered that male age was positively correlated with sperm concentration as well as DNA fragmentation index(DFI), and negatively with progressive motile sperm count, total sperm count, sperm volume and progressive sperm motility. The differential metabolites were significantly enriched in various metabolic pathways, and four of these differential metabolites (Pipamperone, 2,2-Bis(hydroxymethyl)-2,2',2''-nitrilotriethanol, Arg-Pro and Triethyl phosphate) were utilized to establish a biomarker panel to identify aging semen. Proteomic analysis showed that differential proteins were significantly enriched in protein digestion and absorption and some energy-related pathways. An integrated analysis of the metabolome and proteome identified differential energy metabolism and oxidative stress-related proteins, which could explain the decreased motility and the increased DFI of aging sperm. Discussion and conclusion We provide compelling evidence that the changes in semen metabolome and sperm proteome are related to the decline of semen quality in aged males. Moreover, a biomarker panel based on four metabolites was established to identify aging semen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Guo
- Department of Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinli Li
- Department of Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fengdan Hao
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hao Yang
- Department of Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiurong Chang
- Department of Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Pengcheng Kong
- Department of Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenqiang Liu
- Department of Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xianting Jiao
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoming Teng
- Department of Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
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15
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Moustakli E, Zikopoulos A, Sakaloglou P, Bouba I, Sofikitis N, Georgiou I. Functional association between telomeres, oxidation and mitochondria. FRONTIERS IN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH 2023; 5:1107215. [PMID: 36890798 PMCID: PMC9986632 DOI: 10.3389/frph.2023.1107215] [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: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Prior research has substantiated the vital role of telomeres in human fertility. Telomeres are prerequisites for maintaining the integrity of chromosomes by preventing the loss of genetic material following replication events. Little is known about the association between sperm telomere length and mitochondrial capacity involving its structure and functions. Mitochondria are structurally and functionally distinct organelles that are located on the spermatozoon's midpiece. Mitochondria produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP) through oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), which is necessary for sperm motility and generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). While a moderate concentration of ROS is critical for egg-sperm fusion, and fertilization, excessive ROS generation is primarily related to telomere shortening, sperm DNA fragmentation, and alterations in the methylation pattern leading to male infertility. This review aims to highlight the functional connection between mitochondria biogenesis and telomere length in male infertility, as mitochondrial lesions have a damaging impact on telomere length, leading both to telomere lengthening and reprogramming of mitochondrial biosynthesis. Furthermore, it aims to shed light on how both inositol and antioxidants can positively affect male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Efthalia Moustakli
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | | | - Prodromos Sakaloglou
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Ioanna Bouba
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Sofikitis
- Department of Urology, Ioannina University School of Medicine, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Ioannis Georgiou
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
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16
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Jiang G, Zhang L, Zhao J, Li L, Huang Z, Wang Z. Dynamic Autophagy Map in Mouse Female Germ Cells Throughout the Fetal to Postnatal Life. Reprod Sci 2023; 30:169-180. [PMID: 35501593 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-022-00940-z] [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: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Autophagy plays vital roles in mouse female germ cells, but the potential mechanism is largely unknown. In this study, by interrogating single-cell RNA-seq dataset, we investigated the dynamic expression of autophagy-related genes in seven types of germ cells (mitosis, pre-leptotene, leptotene, zygotene, pachytene, diplotene, and dictyate) and discovered stage-specific autophagy-related genes. Using immunofluorescence (IF) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), autophagy activity and autophagosome numbers were revealed from mitosis to follicular assembly (E12.5 (embryonic day 12.5) to P5 (postnatal day 5)). Furthermore, single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) was performed to validate the autophagy kinetics from E12.5 to P5. Our study proved that the mitosis, diplotene, and dictyate female germ cells had relatively higher autophagy activity among the seven subtypes. In summary, our work provided an autophagy map, suggesting that autophagy was complicated in mouse female germ cell development from the fetal to postnatal life, which paved a new insight for deciphering the autophagy regulatory networks for cell-fate transition and female infertility issues like primary ovarian insufficiency (POI).
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Affiliation(s)
- Gurong Jiang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Jiexiang Zhao
- Dongguan People's Hospital, Southern Medical University, Dongguan, 523059, China.,Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Lin Li
- Department of Pathophysiology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Zhenqin Huang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Zhijian Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
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17
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Corpuz-Hilsabeck M, Culty M. Impact of endocrine disrupting chemicals and pharmaceuticals on Sertoli cell development and functions. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1095894. [PMID: 36793282 PMCID: PMC9922725 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1095894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Sertoli cells play essential roles in male reproduction, from supporting fetal testis development to nurturing male germ cells from fetal life to adulthood. Dysregulating Sertoli cell functions can have lifelong adverse effects by jeopardizing early processes such as testis organogenesis, and long-lasting processes such as spermatogenesis. Exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) is recognized as contributing to the rising incidence of male reproductive disorders and decreasing sperm counts and quality in humans. Some drugs also act as endocrine disruptors by exerting off-target effects on endocrine tissues. However, the mechanisms of toxicity of these compounds on male reproduction at doses compatible with human exposure are still not fully resolved, especially in the case of mixtures, which remain understudied. This review presents first an overview of the mechanisms regulating Sertoli cell development, maintenance, and functions, and then surveys what is known on the impact of EDCs and drugs on immature Sertoli cells, including individual compounds and mixtures, and pinpointing at knowledge gaps. Performing more studies on the impact of mixtures of EDCs and drugs at all ages is crucial to fully understand the adverse outcomes these chemicals may induce on the reproductive system.
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18
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Wang T, Cao B, Cai Y, Chen S, Wang B, Yuan Y, Zhang Q. Plcz1 Deficiency Decreased Fertility in Male Mice Which Is Associated with Sperm Quality Decline and Abnormal Cytoskeleton in Epididymis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:314. [PMID: 36613757 PMCID: PMC9820195 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Phospholipase C zeta1 (Plcz1) was known to be a physiological factor in sperm that activates oocytes to complete meiosis by triggering Ca2+ oscillations after fertilisation. However, the role of male Plcz1 in spermatogenesis and early embryo development in progeny has been controversial. Plcz1 knockout (Plcz1-/-) mouse model (Plcz1m3 and Plcz1m5) was generated by using the CRISPR-Cas9 system. The fertility of Plcz1-/- mice was evaluated by analysing the number of offsprings, sperm quality, pathological changes in the testis and epididymis. RNA-seq and RT-PCR were performed to screen differentially expressed genes and signalling pathways related to fertility in Plcz1-/- mice. Further mechanism was explored by using Plcz1-/- cells. Plcz1 knockout led to hypofertility in male mice. In particular, a significant time delay in development and polyspermy was found in eggs fertilized by both Plcz1m3 and Plcz1m5 sperm. Interestingly, a decline in sperm quality combined with pathological changes in epididymis was found in Plcz1m3 mice but not in Plcz1m5 mice. Notably, abnormal cytoskeleton appears in epididymis of Plcz1m3 mice and Plcz1-/- cells. Cytoskeleton damage of epididymis is involved in fertility decline of males upon Plcz1 deficiency in this model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Wang
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225012, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225012, China
| | - Binbin Cao
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225012, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225012, China
| | - Yao Cai
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225012, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225012, China
| | - Si Chen
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225012, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225012, China
| | - Baozhu Wang
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225012, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225012, China
| | - Yan Yuan
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225012, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225012, China
| | - Quan Zhang
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225012, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225012, China
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19
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Blocking Autophagy in M1 Macrophages Enhances Virus Replication and Eye Disease in Ocularly Infected Transgenic Mice. J Virol 2022; 96:e0140122. [PMID: 36286481 PMCID: PMC9645210 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01401-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Autophagy plays a critical role in clearing, disassembling, and recycling damaged cells, thus limiting inflammation. The HSV-1 γ34.5 gene is involved in neurovirulence and immune evasion by blocking autophagy in infected cells.
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20
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Rotimi DE, Singh SK. Interaction between apoptosis and autophagy in testicular function. Andrologia 2022; 54:e14602. [PMID: 36161318 DOI: 10.1111/and.14602] [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: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Several processes including oxidative stress, apoptosis, inflammation and autophagy are related to testicular function. Recent studies indicate that a crosstalk between apoptosis and autophagy is essential in regulating testicular function. Autophagy and apoptosis communicate with each other in a complex way, allowing them to work for or against each other in testicular cell survival and death. Several xenobiotics especially endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have caused reproductive toxicity because of their potential to modify the rate of autophagy and trigger apoptosis. Therefore, the purpose of the present review was to shed light on how autophagy and apoptosis interact together in the testis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damilare E Rotimi
- SDG 03 Group - Good Health & Well-being, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Nigeria.,Department of Biochemistry, Medicinal Biochemistry, Nanomedicine & Toxicology Laboratory, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Nigeria
| | - Shio Kumar Singh
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
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21
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Xu J, He K, Zhou Y, Zhao L, Lin Y, Huang Z, Xie N, Yue J, Tang Y. The effect of SSRIs on Semen quality: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:911489. [PMID: 36188547 PMCID: PMC9519136 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.911489] [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: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are widely used for a variety of diseases, and their impact on semen quality is unclear. We performed a systematic search in PubMed and Embase, and after a strict screening, we included 4 studies with a total of 222 male participants. In result, SSRIs reduced normal sperm morphology (95% CI [−16.29, −3.77], p = 0.002), sperm concentration (95%CI [−43.88, −4.18], p = 0.02), sperm motility (95%CI [−23.46, −0.47], p = 0.04) and sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) (95% CI [6.66,21.93], p = 0.0002), without a statistically significant effect on semen volume (95%CI [−0.75,0.65], p = 0.89). Moreover, the impact on both sperm morphology and sperm concentration were observed within the 3-month period of SSRIs use. In general, our meta-analysis showed that SSRIs have a negative effect on semen quality. More larger, randomized, well-controlled clinical studies should be conducted to support our conclusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiarong Xu
- Department of Urology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen UniversityZhuhai, Zhuhai, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Kancheng He
- Department of Urology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen UniversityZhuhai, Zhuhai, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Yihong Zhou
- Department of Urology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen UniversityZhuhai, Zhuhai, China
| | - Liangyu Zhao
- Department of Urology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen UniversityZhuhai, Zhuhai, China
| | - Yuteng Lin
- Department of Urology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen UniversityZhuhai, Zhuhai, China
| | - Zihao Huang
- Department of Urology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen UniversityZhuhai, Zhuhai, China
| | - Nengqing Xie
- Department of Urology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen UniversityZhuhai, Zhuhai, China
| | - Jihui Yue
- Department of Psychiatry, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
- *Correspondence: Jihui Yue, ; Yuxin Tang,
| | - Yuxin Tang
- Department of Urology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen UniversityZhuhai, Zhuhai, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
- *Correspondence: Jihui Yue, ; Yuxin Tang,
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22
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Vurgun H, Sezer G, Yay A. The role of autophagy in paclitaxel and cremophor induced damage to rat testis. Biotech Histochem 2022; 97:433-440. [PMID: 35037532 DOI: 10.1080/10520295.2021.2023759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The anticancer drug, paclitaxel (PTX), is used to treat a variety of solid tumors, but its effects on normal tissues remain unclear. We investigated the effects of different doses of PTX and its vehicle, cremophor EL, on testis using histochemical, immunohistochemical and biochemical methods. We used 30 adult Wistar albino rats divided randomly into five groups: physiological saline was administered to the control group; the sham 8 group received 8 mg/kg cremophor EL; the sham 16 group received 16 mg/kg cremophor EL; 8 mg/kg PTX was administered to the PTX 8 group; and the PTX 16 group received 16 mg/kg PTX. The cremophore content in PTX groups was the same as in the sham group. All treatments were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) once/week for 4 weeks. Tissue samples were excised 24 h after the last injection. Tissue sections were prepared and hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed to assess testicular morphology. Expression of Beclin-1, LC3A/B and P62 were assessed using immunohistochemistry. Serum and tissue testosterone levels were determined using ELISA. Light microscopy revealed seminiferous tubule damage, irregularities in germinal epithelium and decreased seminiferous tubule diameter in the PTX treated groups. The immunoreactivity of Beclin-1, LC3A/B, and P62 was increased significantly in the PTX groups compared to the control group. Cremophor EL alone damaged the testis, although not as much as PTX. PTX caused significant damage to testicular tissue and increased autophagy of spermatogenic cells; cremophore EL also may play a role in this effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hange Vurgun
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Gulay Sezer
- Department of Medical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
- Genome and Stem Cell Center (GENKOK), Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Arzu Yay
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
- Genome and Stem Cell Center (GENKOK), Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
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Germline FOXJ2 overexpression causes male infertility via aberrant autophagy activation by LAMP2A upregulation. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:665. [PMID: 35908066 PMCID: PMC9338950 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05116-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a complex biological process that produces haploid spermatozoa and requires precise regulation by many tissue-specific factors. In this study, we explored the role and mechanism of Fork head box J2 (FOXJ2, which is highly expressed in spermatocytes) in the regulation of spermatogenesis using a germline-specific conditional Foxj2 knock-in mouse model (Stra8-Cre; Foxj2 tg/tg mouse). Foxj2 overexpression in mouse testes led to spermatogenesis failure, which started at the initiation of meiosis, and resulted in male infertility. Lysosomes and autophagy-related genes were upregulated in Stra8-cre; Foxj2 tg/tg mouse testes and the number of autolysosomes in the spermatocytes in Stra8-cre; Foxj2 tg/tg mice was increased. Chromatin immunoprecipitation-PCR and Dual-luciferase reporter assays showed that Lamp2 (encoding lysosome-associated membrane protein-2) was a target of FOXJ2. Foxj2 overexpression increased the expression levels of Lamp2a and Hsc70 (70-kDa cytoplasmic heat shock protein) in the Stra8-cre; Foxj2 tg/tg mouse testes. Our results suggested that Foxj2 overexpression in the germ cells of mouse testes affects chaperone-mediated autophagy by upregulating LAMP2A, leading to spermatogenesis failure at the initiation of meiosis, thus resulting in male infertility. Our findings provide a new insight into the function of FOXJ2 in spermatogenesis and the significance of autophagy regulation in spermatogenesis.
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24
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Soltani M, Rahmati M, Nikravesh MR, Nejat SS, Jalali M. Autophagy comparative after decompression of tunica albuginea in testicular torsion in mature and immature rat. Surgery 2022; 172:427-435. [DOI: 10.1016/j.surg.2022.01.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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25
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Li HY, Peng ZG. Targeting lipophagy as a potential therapeutic strategy for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Biochem Pharmacol 2022; 197:114933. [PMID: 35093393 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.114933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming an increasingly serious disease worldwide. Unfortunately, no specific drug has been approved to treat NAFLD. Accumulating evidence suggests that lipotoxicity, which is induced by an excess of intracellular triacylglycerols (TAGs), is a potential mechanism underlying the ill-defined progression of NAFLD. Under physiological conditions, a balance is maintained between TAGs and free fatty acids (FFAs) in the liver. TAGs are catabolized to FFAs through neutral lipolysis and/or lipophagy, while FFAs can be anabolized to TAGs through an esterification reaction. However, in the livers of patients with NAFLD, lipophagy appears to fail. Reversing this abnormal state through several lipophagic molecules (mTORC1, AMPK, PLIN, etc.) facilitates NAFLD amelioration; therefore, restoring failed lipophagy may be a highly efficient therapeutic strategy for NAFLD. Here, we outline the lipophagy phases with the relevant important proteins and discuss the roles of lipophagy in the progression of NAFLD. Additionally, the potential candidate drugs with therapeutic value targeting these proteins are discussed to show novel strategies for future treatment of NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Ying Li
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Zong-Gen Peng
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China; Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, The National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC), Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China.
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26
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Dietary folic acid supplementation improves semen quality and spermatogenesis through altering autophagy and histone methylation in the testis of aged broiler breeder roosters. Theriogenology 2021; 181:8-15. [PMID: 34998023 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2021.12.032] [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: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The aging phenomenon often exerts a significant reduction in the reproduction performance of aged animals. The objective of this project was to investigate the effects of dietary Folic acid (FA) supplementation on the reproductive performance of aged broiler breeder roosters. A total of 16 aged ROSS 308 broiler breeder roosters (50-week-old) were randomly divided into two groups. The treatments were basal diet (CON), a basal diet supplemented with 10 mg/kg Folic acid (FAS) for four weeks. At the end of the experiment, semen quality, histopathological studies, serum concentrations of testosterone and relative mRNA and protein expressions of testes were evaluated. The results showed that dietary FA supplementation dramatically improved semen quality of aged roosters, manifested by increasing semen volume, sperm concentration, sperm motility, and sperm membrane functional integrity. Furthermore, seminiferous tubule epithelial height (SEH) and testis scores were increased by dietary supplementation with FA. Dietary FA also remarkably augmented the transcription level of spermatogenesis-related gene (CREM, PCK2, DDX4, and GDNF). No significant differences were observed in serum concentrations of testosterone between FAS and CON groups. We noted significant upregulation Beclin-1 and ATG5 protein expressions, and the ratio of LC3-Ⅱ/Ⅰ, as well as significant downregulation of p-mTOR protein expressions in testicular tissue of aged roosters with FA supplementation. In addition, dietary FA supplementation significantly increased the protein expression of H3K9me2 and reduced the protein expression of H3K27me2. In summary, dietary FA supplementation improved the testicular autophagy through the mTOR-signaling pathway, and altered histone methylation in the testis. Dietary supplementation with FA can ameliorate semen quality and spermatogenesis of aged roosters.
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27
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Chen WQ, Wang B, Ding CF, Wan LY, Hu HM, Lv BD, Ma JX. In vivo and in vitro protective effects of the Wuzi Yanzong pill against experimental spermatogenesis disorder by promoting germ cell proliferation and suppressing apoptosis. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2021; 280:114443. [PMID: 34302943 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.114443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 07/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Wuzi Yanzong pill (WZYZP) is a classical traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula originated from the Tang dynasty. WZYZP has a long history of use for reinforcing kidney and alleviating male infertility in China. AIM OF THE STUDY The effect of WZYZP on male infertility and the mechanism underlying this effect was not clarified clearly. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the protective effect of WZYZP in experimental spermatogenesis disorder via in vivo and in vitro studies, to promote the use of this formula for the treatment of spermatogenesis disorder. MATERIAL AND METHODS Male SD rats were exposed to tripterygium glycosides to induce experimental spermatogenesis disorder, and WZYZP was subsequently administrated at different dosages for treatment. Sperm counts, sperm motility, and serum hormone levels were detected. HE staining and TUNEL staining were performed to evaluate the pathological lesions and apoptosis of testes, respectively. Next, germ cells were isolated from spermatogenesis disorder-model rats and treated with WZYZP- containing serum at different concentrations. CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry assay were performed to detect cell proliferation and apoptosis. Immunofluorescence assay, qRT-PCR and Western blotting analyses were performed to detect the expression of Beclin 1, LC3 and TGF-β-PI3k/AKT-mTOR pathway - related factors, including TGF-β, PI3K, AKT, mTOR, 4 EBP-1 and p70S6K. RESULTS In vivo experiments showed that WZYZP protected against spermatogenesis disorder in model rats by improving sperm count and motility, as well as restoring serum hormone levels. HE and TUNEL staining demonstrated that the pathological injuries and cell apoptosis in testes of the model rats were alleviated by WZYZP treatment. Moreover, in vitro experiments of germ cells isolated from spermatogenesis disorder-model rats showed that WZYZP treatment increased the cell proliferation, inhibited cell apoptosis and autophagy. qRT-PCR and Western blotting assay results showed that this protective effect was associated with the regulation of the TGF-β/PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. The expression levels of p-PI3K/PI3K, p-AKT/AKT, p-mTOR/mTOR, 4 EBP-1 and p70S6K were increased, while TGF-β was inhibited in the WZYZP treated groups. CONCLUSION The results showed that WZYZP could protect against experimental spermatogenesis disorder by increasing the germ cell proliferation and inhibiting their apoptosis. Our support the clinical use of this formula for the management of spermatogenesis disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wang-Qian Chen
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Bin Wang
- Department of Andrology, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100007, China
| | - Cai-Fei Ding
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Ling-Yi Wan
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Hui-Min Hu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Bo-Dong Lv
- Department of Urology Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou Zhejiang 310009, China.
| | - Jian-Xiong Ma
- Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China; The Second Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China.
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28
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Sharma A, Khan H, Singh TG, Grewal AK, Najda A, Kawecka-Radomska M, Kamel M, Altyar AE, Abdel-Daim MM. Pharmacological Modulation of Ubiquitin-Proteasome Pathways in Oncogenic Signaling. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222111971. [PMID: 34769401 PMCID: PMC8584958 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway (UPP) is involved in regulating several biological functions, including cell cycle control, apoptosis, DNA damage response, and apoptosis. It is widely known for its role in degrading abnormal protein substrates and maintaining physiological body functions via ubiquitinating enzymes (E1, E2, E3) and the proteasome. Therefore, aberrant expression in these enzymes results in an altered biological process, including transduction signaling for cell death and survival, resulting in cancer. In this review, an overview of profuse enzymes involved as a pro-oncogenic or progressive growth factor in tumors with their downstream signaling pathways has been discussed. A systematic literature review of PubMed, Medline, Bentham, Scopus, and EMBASE (Elsevier) databases was carried out to understand the nature of the extensive work done on modulation of ubiquitin-proteasome pathways in oncogenic signaling. Various in vitro, in vivo studies demonstrating the involvement of ubiquitin-proteasome systems in varied types of cancers and the downstream signaling pathways involved are also discussed in the current review. Several inhibitors of E1, E2, E3, deubiquitinase enzymes and proteasome have been applied for treating cancer. Some of these drugs have exhibited successful outcomes in in vivo studies on different cancer types, so clinical trials are going on for these inhibitors. This review mainly focuses on certain ubiquitin-proteasome enzymes involved in developing cancers and certain enzymes that can be targeted to treat cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anmol Sharma
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Rajpura 140401, India; (A.S.); (H.K.); (A.K.G.)
| | - Heena Khan
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Rajpura 140401, India; (A.S.); (H.K.); (A.K.G.)
| | - Thakur Gurjeet Singh
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Rajpura 140401, India; (A.S.); (H.K.); (A.K.G.)
- Correspondence: or (T.G.S.); (M.M.A.-D.); Tel.: +91-9815951171 (T.G.S.); +966-580192142 (M.M.A.-D.)
| | - Amarjot Kaur Grewal
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Rajpura 140401, India; (A.S.); (H.K.); (A.K.G.)
| | - Agnieszka Najda
- Department of Vegetable Crops and Medicinal Plants, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 50A Doświadczalna Street, 20-280 Lublin, Poland; (A.N.); (M.K.-R.)
| | - Małgorzata Kawecka-Radomska
- Department of Vegetable Crops and Medicinal Plants, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 50A Doświadczalna Street, 20-280 Lublin, Poland; (A.N.); (M.K.-R.)
| | - Mohamed Kamel
- Department of Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza 12211, Egypt;
| | - Ahmed E. Altyar
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80260, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Mohamed M. Abdel-Daim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacy Program, Batterjee Medical College, P.O. Box 6231, Jeddah 21442, Saudi Arabia
- Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
- Correspondence: or (T.G.S.); (M.M.A.-D.); Tel.: +91-9815951171 (T.G.S.); +966-580192142 (M.M.A.-D.)
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29
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Varuzhanyan G, Ladinsky MS, Yamashita SI, Abe M, Sakimura K, Kanki T, Chan DC. Fis1 ablation in the male germline disrupts mitochondrial morphology and mitophagy, and arrests spermatid maturation. Development 2021; 148:271183. [PMID: 34355730 PMCID: PMC8380467 DOI: 10.1242/dev.199686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Male germline development involves choreographed changes to mitochondrial number, morphology and organization. Mitochondrial reorganization during spermatogenesis was recently shown to require mitochondrial fusion and fission. Mitophagy, the autophagic degradation of mitochondria, is another mechanism for controlling mitochondrial number and physiology, but its role during spermatogenesis is largely unknown. During post-meiotic spermatid development, restructuring of the mitochondrial network results in packing of mitochondria into a tight array in the sperm midpiece to fuel motility. Here, we show that disruption of mouse Fis1 in the male germline results in early spermatid arrest that is associated with increased mitochondrial content. Mutant spermatids coalesce into multinucleated giant cells that accumulate mitochondria of aberrant ultrastructure and numerous mitophagic and autophagic intermediates, suggesting a defect in mitophagy. We conclude that Fis1 regulates mitochondrial morphology and turnover to promote spermatid maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grigor Varuzhanyan
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena CA 91125, USA
| | - Mark S Ladinsky
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena CA 91125, USA
| | - Shun-Ichi Yamashita
- Department of Cellular Physiology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
| | - Manabu Abe
- Department of Animal Model Development, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8585, Japan
| | - Kenji Sakimura
- Department of Animal Model Development, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8585, Japan
| | - Tomotake Kanki
- Department of Cellular Physiology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
| | - David C Chan
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena CA 91125, USA
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30
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Proteins in Autophagic Machinery. Cells 2021; 10:cells10081987. [PMID: 34440756 PMCID: PMC8392492 DOI: 10.3390/cells10081987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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31
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Xiong W, Shen C, Wang Z. The molecular mechanisms underlying acrosome biogenesis elucidated by gene-manipulated mice. Biol Reprod 2021; 105:789-807. [PMID: 34131698 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioab117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Sexual reproduction requires the fusion of two gametes in a multistep and multifactorial process termed fertilization. One of the main steps that ensures successful fertilization is acrosome reaction. The acrosome, a special kind of organelle with a cap-like structure that covers the anterior portion of sperm head, plays a key role in the process. Acrosome biogenesis begins with the initial stage of spermatid development, and it is typically divided into four successive phases: the Golgi phase, cap phase, acrosome phase, and maturation phase. The run smoothly of above processes needs an active and specific coordination between the all kinds of organelles (endoplasmic reticulum, trans-golgi network and nucleus) and cytoplasmic structures (acroplaxome and manchette). During the past two decades, an increasingly genes have been discovered to be involved in modulating acrosome formation. Most of these proteins interact with each other and show a complicated molecular regulatory mechanism to facilitate the occurrence of this event. This Review focuses on the progresses of studying acrosome biogenesis using gene-manipulated mice and highlights an emerging molecular basis of mammalian acrosome formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenfeng Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Research Center for Experimental Medicine, Rui-Jin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunling Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Research Center for Experimental Medicine, Rui-Jin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhugang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Research Center for Experimental Medicine, Rui-Jin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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32
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Rossi G, Placidi M, Castellini C, Rea F, D'Andrea S, Alonso GL, Gravina GL, Tatone C, Di Emidio G, D’Alessandro AM. Crocetin Mitigates Irradiation Injury in an In Vitro Model of the Pubertal Testis: Focus on Biological Effects and Molecular Mechanisms. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26061676. [PMID: 33802807 PMCID: PMC8002482 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26061676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [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: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Infertility is a potential side effect of radiotherapy and significantly affects the quality of life for adolescent cancer survivors. Very few studies have addressed in pubertal models the mechanistic events that could be targeted to provide protection from gonadotoxicity and data on potential radioprotective treatments in this peculiar period of life are elusive. In this study, we utilized an in vitro model of the mouse pubertal testis to investigate the efficacy of crocetin to counteract ionizing radiation (IR)-induced injury and potential underlying mechanisms. Present experiments provide evidence that exposure of testis fragments from pubertal mice to 2 Gy X-rays induced extensive structural and cellular damage associated with overexpression of PARP1, PCNA, SOD2 and HuR and decreased levels of SIRT1 and catalase. A twenty-four hr exposure to 50 μM crocetin pre- and post-IR significantly reduced testis injury and modulated the response to DNA damage and oxidative stress. Nevertheless, crocetin treatment did not counteract the radiation-induced changes in the expression of SIRT1, p62 and LC3II. These results increase the knowledge of mechanisms underlying radiation damage in pubertal testis and establish the use of crocetin as a fertoprotective agent against IR deleterious effects in pubertal period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Rossi
- Lab of Reproductive Technologies, Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (G.R.); (M.P.); (F.R.); (C.T.)
| | - Martina Placidi
- Lab of Reproductive Technologies, Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (G.R.); (M.P.); (F.R.); (C.T.)
| | - Chiara Castellini
- Andrology Unit, Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (C.C.); (S.D.)
| | - Francesco Rea
- Lab of Reproductive Technologies, Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (G.R.); (M.P.); (F.R.); (C.T.)
| | - Settimio D'Andrea
- Andrology Unit, Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (C.C.); (S.D.)
| | - Gonzalo Luis Alonso
- Química Agrícola, E.T.S.I. Agrónomos y Montes, Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología Agroforestal y Genética, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Avda. de España s/n, 02071 Albacete, Spain;
| | - Giovanni Luca Gravina
- Laboratory of Radiobiology, Division of Radiotherapy, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy;
| | - Carla Tatone
- Lab of Reproductive Technologies, Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (G.R.); (M.P.); (F.R.); (C.T.)
| | - Giovanna Di Emidio
- Lab of Reproductive Technologies, Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (G.R.); (M.P.); (F.R.); (C.T.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Anna Maria D’Alessandro
- Lab of Nutritional Biochemistry, Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy;
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