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Liu W, Du L, Cui Y, He C, He Z. WNT5A regulates the proliferation, apoptosis and stemness of human stem Leydig cells via the β-catenin signaling pathway. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:93. [PMID: 38367191 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-05077-z] [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: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
Stem Leydig cells (SLCs) are essential for maintaining normal spermatogenesis as the significant component of testis microenvironment and gonadal aging. Although progress has been achieved in the regulation of male germ cells in mammals and humans, it remains unknown about the genes and signaling pathways of human SLCs. Here we have demonstrated, for the first time, that WNT5A (Wnt family member 5a) mediates the proliferation, apoptosis, and stemness of human SLCs, namely NGFR+ Leydig cells. We revealed that NGFR+ Leydig cells expressed NGFR, PDGFRA, NES, NR2F2, and THY1, hallmarks for SLCs. RNA-sequencing showed that WNT5A was expressed at a higher level in human SLCs than non-SLCs, while immunohistochemistry and Western blots further illustrated that WNT5A was predominantly expressed in human SLCs. Notably, CCK-8, EdU and Western blots displayed that WNT5A enhanced the proliferation and DNA synthesis and retained stemness of human SLCs, whereas flow cytometry and TUNEL analyses demonstrated that WNT5A inhibited the apoptosis of these cells. WNT5A knockdown caused an increase in LC lineage differentiation of human SLCs and reversed the effect of WNT5A overexpression on fate decisions of human SLCs. In addition, WNT5A silencing resulted in the decreases in nuclear translocation of β-catenin and expression levels of c-Myc, CD44, and Cyclin D1. Collectively, these results implicate that WNT5A regulates the proliferation, apoptosis and stemness of human SLCs through the activation of the β-catenin signaling pathway. This study thus provides a novel molecular mechanism underlying the fate determinations of human SLCs, and it offers a new insight into the niche regulation of human testis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Model Animals and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, Engineering Research Center of Reproduction and Translational Medicine of Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University School of Medicine, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
- Department of Pharmacy, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Li Du
- Key Laboratory of Model Animals and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, Engineering Research Center of Reproduction and Translational Medicine of Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University School of Medicine, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Yinghong Cui
- Key Laboratory of Model Animals and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, Engineering Research Center of Reproduction and Translational Medicine of Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University School of Medicine, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Caimei He
- Key Laboratory of Model Animals and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, Engineering Research Center of Reproduction and Translational Medicine of Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University School of Medicine, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Zuping He
- Key Laboratory of Model Animals and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, Engineering Research Center of Reproduction and Translational Medicine of Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University School of Medicine, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
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Chen W, Cui Y, Li C, He C, Du L, Liu W, He Z. KLF2 controls proliferation and apoptosis of human spermatogonial stem cells via targeting GJA1. iScience 2024; 27:109024. [PMID: 38352225 PMCID: PMC10863320 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Human spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are essential for spermatogenesis and male fertility. However, molecular mechanisms regulating fate determinations of human SSCs remain elusive. In this study, we revealed that KLF2 decreased the proliferation, DNA synthesis, and colonization of human SSCs as well as increased apoptosis of these cells. We identified and demonstrated that GJA1 was a target gene for KLF2 in human SSCs. Notably, KLF2 overexpression rescued the reduction of proliferation of human SSCs caused by GJA1 silencing as well as the enhancement of apoptosis of human SSCs. Abnormalities in the higher level of KLF2 and/or KIF2 mutations might lead to male infertility. Collectively, these results implicate that KLF2 inhibits proliferation of human SSCs and enhances their apoptosis by targeting GJA1. This study thus provides novel genetic mechanisms underlying human spermatogenesis and azoospermia, and it offers new endogenous targets for treating male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Chen
- Key Laboratory of Model Animals and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University School of Medicine, Engineering Research Center of Reproduction and Translational Medicine of Hunan Province, Manufacture-Based Learning and Research Demonstration Center for Human Reproductive Health New Technology of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Yinghong Cui
- Key Laboratory of Model Animals and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University School of Medicine, Engineering Research Center of Reproduction and Translational Medicine of Hunan Province, Manufacture-Based Learning and Research Demonstration Center for Human Reproductive Health New Technology of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Chunyun Li
- Key Laboratory of Model Animals and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University School of Medicine, Engineering Research Center of Reproduction and Translational Medicine of Hunan Province, Manufacture-Based Learning and Research Demonstration Center for Human Reproductive Health New Technology of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Caimei He
- Key Laboratory of Model Animals and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University School of Medicine, Engineering Research Center of Reproduction and Translational Medicine of Hunan Province, Manufacture-Based Learning and Research Demonstration Center for Human Reproductive Health New Technology of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Li Du
- Key Laboratory of Model Animals and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University School of Medicine, Engineering Research Center of Reproduction and Translational Medicine of Hunan Province, Manufacture-Based Learning and Research Demonstration Center for Human Reproductive Health New Technology of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Model Animals and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University School of Medicine, Engineering Research Center of Reproduction and Translational Medicine of Hunan Province, Manufacture-Based Learning and Research Demonstration Center for Human Reproductive Health New Technology of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Zuping He
- Key Laboratory of Model Animals and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University School of Medicine, Engineering Research Center of Reproduction and Translational Medicine of Hunan Province, Manufacture-Based Learning and Research Demonstration Center for Human Reproductive Health New Technology of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
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Zheng B, Niu L, Xu H, Yang Y, Chen Y, Wang C, Chen W, Huang W. Engineering redirected NF-κB/OIP5 expression programs to enhance tumor responses to chemotherapy in bladder cancer. Sci Bull (Beijing) 2023; 68:3207-3224. [PMID: 37993335 DOI: 10.1016/j.scib.2023.11.027] [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: 05/07/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), a pivotal transcriptional regulator, plays a crucial role in modulating downstream genes implicated in tumor drug resistance. We establish a programmable system within bladder cancer cells to tailor drug responses by employing a synthetic clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-based expression strategy that emulates natural transcriptional regulators. Our investigation uncovers the functional significance of Opa-interacting protein 5 (OIP5), upregulated upon NF-κB activation, as a key regulator governing drug-resistance to vincristine (VCR) treatment in bladder cancer. Through engineered guide RNAs (sgRNAs) targeting OIP5 to integrate NF-κB aptamers, we construct a modular scaffold RNA that encodes both the target locus and regulatory functionality. This engineered CRISPR scaffold RNA effectively responds to VCR stimulus by binding with activated NF-κB. Intriguingly, it redirects NF-κB to attenuate OIP5 expression-a reversal of its original role-while concurrently obstructing multiple NF-κB-mediated drug resistance pathways. This dual action thwarts drug resistance development. Further enhancing therapeutic potential, we develop a versatile nanoparticle system capable of co-delivering CRISPR scaffold RNAs and VCR. This synergistic approach demonstrates potent anti-tumor effects in both in vitro and in vivo settings. Our nanoparticle-mediated combination presents a compelling proof-of-concept, showcasing the utility of engineered CRISPR-based synthetic expression programs to reconfigure cellular drug responses and heighten tumor cell susceptibility to chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binbin Zheng
- Department of Urology, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, International Cancer Center of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518039, China; Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Liman Niu
- Department of Urology, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, International Cancer Center of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518039, China; Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Haibo Xu
- Department of Urology, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, International Cancer Center of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518039, China; Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yubin Yang
- Department of Urology, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, International Cancer Center of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518039, China
| | - Yanping Chen
- Department of Urology, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, International Cancer Center of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518039, China
| | - Chenguang Wang
- Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Urology, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, International Cancer Center of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518039, China; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Systems Biology and Synthetic Biology for Urogenital Tumors, Shenzhen 518035, China
| | - Weiren Huang
- Department of Urology, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, International Cancer Center of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518039, China; Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Systems Biology and Synthetic Biology for Urogenital Tumors, Shenzhen 518035, China.
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