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Doğan G, Sandıkçı M, Karagenç L. Stage-specific expression of Toll-like receptors in the seminiferous epithelium of mouse testis. Histochem Cell Biol 2024; 162:323-335. [PMID: 39085445 PMCID: PMC11364606 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-024-02310-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] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
Genes encoding Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are expressed by germ cells in the mouse testis. Nevertheless, the expression of TLRs by germ cells has only been demonstrated for TLR-3, TLR-9, and TLR-11. Furthermore, the expression of each TLR in relation to the stage of spermatogenesis remains uncertain. We aimed in the present study to examine the expression pattern of all TLRs in germ cells throughout the cycle of seminiferous epithelium in the adult mouse testis. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the expression of TLRs. Results of the present study reveal the expression of TLRs by specific populations of germ cells. Expression of TLRs, except for TLR-7, at endosomal compartments, acrosomes, and/or residual bodies was another interesting and novel finding of the present study. We further demonstrate that the expression of TLR-1, -2, -3, -4, -5, -7, -11, -12, and -13 follows a distinct spatiotemporal pattern throughout the cycle of seminiferous epithelium. While TLR-1, -3, -5, -11, and -12 are expressed in all stages, TLR-4 is expressed only in early and middle stages of spermatogenic cycle. On the other hand, TLR-2, -7, and -13 are expressed only in early stage of spermatogenic cycle. Evidence demonstrating the expression of TLRs in a stage specific manner throughout spermatogenesis strengthen the hypothesis that the expression of various TLRs by germ cells is a developmentally regulated process. However, if TLRs play a role in the regulation of proliferation, growth, maturation, and differentiation of germ cells throughout the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium warrants further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Göksel Doğan
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Histology-Embryology, Aydın Adnan Menderes University, 09000, Aydın, Turkey
| | - Mustafa Sandıkçı
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Histology-Embryology, Aydın Adnan Menderes University, 09000, Aydın, Turkey
| | - Levent Karagenç
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Histology-Embryology, Aydın Adnan Menderes University, 09000, Aydın, Turkey.
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2
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Andrade AD, Almeida PGC, Mariani NAP, Santos NCM, Camargo IA, Martini PV, Kushima H, Ai D, Avellar MCW, Meinhardt A, Pleuger C, Silva EJR. Regional modulation of toll-like receptor signaling pathway genes in acute epididymitis in mice. Andrology 2024; 12:1024-1037. [PMID: 38497291 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13630] [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: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Region-specific immune environments in the epididymis influence the immune responses to uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) infection, a relevant cause of epididymitis in men. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are essential to orchestrate immune responses against bacterial infections. The epididymis displays region-specific inflammatory responses to bacterial-derived TLR agonists, such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS; TLR4 agonist) and lipoteichoic acid (LTA; TLR2/TLR6 agonist), suggesting that TLR-associated signaling pathways could influence the magnitude of inflammatory responses in epididymitis. OBJECTIVES To investigate the expression and regulation of key genes associated with TLR4 and TLR2/TLR6 signaling pathways during epididymitis induced by UPEC, LPS, and LTA in mice. MATERIAL AND METHODS Epididymitis was induced in mice using UPEC, ultrapure LPS, or LTA, injected into the interstitial space of the initial segment or the lumen of the vas deferens close to the cauda epididymidis. Samples were harvested after 1, 5, and 10 days for UPEC-treated animals and 6 and 24 h for LPS-/LTA-treated animals. Ex vivo epididymitis was induced by incubating epididymal regions from naive mice with LPS or LTA. RT-qPCR and Western blot assays were conducted. RESULTS UPEC infection up-regulated Tlr2, Tlr4, and Tlr6 transcripts and their associated signaling molecules Cd14, Ticam1, and Traf6 in the cauda epididymidis but not in the initial segment. In these epididymal regions, LPS and LTA differentially modulated Tlr2, Tlr4, Tlr6, Cd14, Myd88, Ticam1, Traf3, and Traf6 expression levels. NFKB and AP1 activation was required for LPS- and LTA-induced up-regulation of TLR-associated signaling transcripts in the cauda epididymidis and initial segment, respectively. CONCLUSION The dynamic modulation of TLR4 and TLR2/TLR6 signaling pathways gene expression during epididymitis indicates bacterial-derived antigens elicit an increased tissue sensitivity to combat microbial infection in a spatial manner in the epididymis. Differential activation of TLR-associated signaling pathways may contribute to fine-tuning inflammatory responses along the epididymis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre D Andrade
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Priscila G C Almeida
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Noemia A P Mariani
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Natalia C M Santos
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Isabela A Camargo
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Poliana V Martini
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Helio Kushima
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Dingding Ai
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Maria Christina W Avellar
- Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Andreas Meinhardt
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Hessian Center of Reproductive Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Centre of Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Australia
| | - Christiane Pleuger
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Hessian Center of Reproductive Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Erick J R Silva
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
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3
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Ghatpande N, Harrer A, Azoulay-Botzer B, Guttmann-Raviv N, Bhushan S, Meinhardt A, Meyron-Holtz EG. Iron regulatory proteins 1 and 2 have opposing roles in regulating inflammation in bacterial orchitis. JCI Insight 2024; 9:e175845. [PMID: 38301068 PMCID: PMC11143929 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.175845] [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: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Acute bacterial orchitis (AO) is a prevalent cause of intrascrotal inflammation, often resulting in sub- or infertility. A frequent cause eliciting AO is uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC), a gram negative pathovar, characterized by the expression of various iron acquisition systems to survive in a low-iron environment. On the host side, iron is tightly regulated by iron regulatory proteins 1 and 2 (IRP1 and -2) and these factors are reported to play a role in testicular and immune cell function; however, their precise role remains unclear. Here, we showed in a mouse model of UPEC-induced orchitis that the absence of IRP1 results in less testicular damage and a reduced immune response. Compared with infected wild-type (WT) mice, testes of UPEC-infected Irp1-/- mice showed impaired ERK signaling. Conversely, IRP2 deletion led to a stronger inflammatory response. Notably, differences in immune cell infiltrations were observed among the different genotypes. In contrast with WT and Irp2-/- mice, no increase in monocytes and neutrophils was detected in testes of Irp1-/- mice upon UPEC infection. Interestingly, in Irp1-/- UPEC-infected testes, we observed an increase in a subpopulation of macrophages (F4/80+CD206+) associated with antiinflammatory and wound-healing activities compared with WT. These findings suggest that IRP1 deletion may protect against UPEC-induced inflammation by modulating ERK signaling and dampening the immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niraj Ghatpande
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Technion City, Haifa, Israel
| | - Aileen Harrer
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Bar Azoulay-Botzer
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Technion City, Haifa, Israel
| | - Noga Guttmann-Raviv
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Technion City, Haifa, Israel
| | - Sudhanshu Bhushan
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Andreas Meinhardt
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Esther G. Meyron-Holtz
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Technion City, Haifa, Israel
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4
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Xu X, Xu J, Qiu M, Yu Y, Gou M, Pang Y, Li Q, Su P. A Comparative Transcriptomic Study and Key Gene Targeting of Lamprey Gonadal Immune Response. Immunol Invest 2024; 53:241-260. [PMID: 38078455 DOI: 10.1080/08820139.2023.2289070] [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: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
The mammalian testis and ovary possess special immunocompetence, which is central to provide protection against pathogens. However, the innate immune responses to immune challenges in lamprey gonads are poorly understood. In this study, we extracted RNA from testis and ovary tissues of lampreys at 0 hour, 8 hours and 17 days after lipopolysaccharides (LPS) stimulation and performed transcriptome sequencing. While the transcriptome profiles of the two tissues were different for the most part, genes LIP, LECT2, LAL2, GRN, ITLN, and C1q were found to be the most significantly up-regulated genes in both. Quantitative Real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis confirmed that these genes were upregulated after stimulation. Furthermore, immunohistochemical staining showed that these genes in lamprey gonads are expressed in high quantities and have a specific distribution. Taken together, our results suggest that these genes could play an essential role in response of the gonads to LPS induction. This research establishes a basis for investigating the immune mechanism of vertebrate gonads and presents a fresh concept for gaining insight into the evolutionary development of jawless vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangting Xu
- College of Life Science, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, China
- Lamprey Research Center, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Seafood Deep Processing, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian, China
| | - Jing Xu
- College of Life Science, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, China
- Lamprey Research Center, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Seafood Deep Processing, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian, China
- Functional laboratory, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Mingyue Qiu
- College of Life Science, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, China
- Lamprey Research Center, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Seafood Deep Processing, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian, China
| | - Yang Yu
- College of Life Science, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, China
- Lamprey Research Center, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Seafood Deep Processing, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian, China
- Department of Urology, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Meng Gou
- College of Life Science, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, China
- Lamprey Research Center, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Seafood Deep Processing, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian, China
| | - Yue Pang
- College of Life Science, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, China
- Lamprey Research Center, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Seafood Deep Processing, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian, China
| | - Qingwei Li
- College of Life Science, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, China
- Lamprey Research Center, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Seafood Deep Processing, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian, China
| | - Peng Su
- College of Life Science, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, China
- Lamprey Research Center, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Seafood Deep Processing, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian, China
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5
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Ma C, Huang J, Jiang Y, Liu L, Wang N, Huang S, Li H, Zhang X, Wen S, Wang B, Yang S. Gasdermin D in macrophages drives orchitis by regulating inflammation and antigen presentation processes. EMBO Mol Med 2024; 16:361-385. [PMID: 38177538 PMCID: PMC10897472 DOI: 10.1038/s44321-023-00016-8] [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: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Inflammation in the testes induced by infection and autoimmunity contributes significantly to male infertility, a public health issue. Current therapies using antibiotics and broad-spectrum anti-inflammatory drugs are ineffective against non-bacterial orchitis and induce side effects. This highlights the need to explore the pathogenesis of orchitis and develop alternative therapeutic strategies. In this study, we demonstrated that Gasdermin D (GSDMD) was activated in the testes during uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC)-induced acute orchitis, and that GSDMD in macrophages induced inflammation and affected spermatogenesis during acute and chronic orchitis. In testicular macrophages, GSDMD promoted inflammation and antigen presentation, thereby enhancing the T-cell response after orchitis. Furthermore, the pharmacological inhibition of GSDMD alleviated the symptoms of UPEC-induced acute orchitis. Collectively, these findings provide the first demonstration of GSDMD's role in driving orchitis and suggest that GSDMD may be a potential therapeutic target for treating orchitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunmei Ma
- Department of Immunology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Personalized Cancer Medicine,National Vaccine Innovation Platform, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, 211166, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiajia Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 138 Xianlin Avenue, 210023, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuying Jiang
- Department of Immunology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Personalized Cancer Medicine,National Vaccine Innovation Platform, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, 211166, Nanjing, China
| | - Lu Liu
- Department of Immunology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Personalized Cancer Medicine,National Vaccine Innovation Platform, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, 211166, Nanjing, China
| | - Na Wang
- Department of Immunology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Personalized Cancer Medicine,National Vaccine Innovation Platform, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, 211166, Nanjing, China
| | - Shaoqiong Huang
- Department of Immunology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Personalized Cancer Medicine,National Vaccine Innovation Platform, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, 211166, Nanjing, China
| | - Honghui Li
- Department of Immunology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Personalized Cancer Medicine,National Vaccine Innovation Platform, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, 211166, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiangyu Zhang
- Department of Immunology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Personalized Cancer Medicine,National Vaccine Innovation Platform, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, 211166, Nanjing, China
| | - Shuang Wen
- Department of Immunology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Personalized Cancer Medicine,National Vaccine Innovation Platform, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, 211166, Nanjing, China
| | - Bingwei Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 138 Xianlin Avenue, 210023, Nanjing, China.
| | - Shuo Yang
- Department of Immunology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Personalized Cancer Medicine,National Vaccine Innovation Platform, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, 211166, Nanjing, China.
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6
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Chuphal B, Sathoria P, Rai U, Roy B. Crosstalk between reproductive and immune systems: the teleostean perspective. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2023; 102:302-316. [PMID: 36477945 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.15284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The bidirectional interaction between the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis and the immune system plays a crucial role in the adaptation of an organism to its environment, its survival and the continuance of a species. Nonetheless, very little is known about this interaction among teleost, the largest group of extant vertebrates. Fishes being seasonal breeders, their immune system is exposed to seasonally changing levels of HPG hormones. On the contrary, the presence and infiltration of leukocytes, the expression of pattern recognition receptors as well as cytokines in gonads suggest their key role in teleostean gametogenesis as in the case of mammals. Moreover, the modulation of gametogenesis and steroidogenesis by lipopolysaccharide implicates the pathological significance of inflammation on reproduction. Thus, it is important to engage in the understanding of the interaction between these two important physiological systems, not only from a phylogenetic perspective but also due to the importance of fish as an important economic resource. In view of this, the authors have reviewed the crosstalk between the reproductive and immune systems in teleosts and tried to explore the importance of this interaction in their survival and reproductive fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhawna Chuphal
- Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Priyanka Sathoria
- Department of Zoology, Maitreyi College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Umesh Rai
- University of Jammu, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Brototi Roy
- Department of Zoology, Maitreyi College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
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7
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Pleuger C, Ai D, Hoppe ML, Winter LT, Bohnert D, Karl D, Guenther S, Epelman S, Kantores C, Fijak M, Ravens S, Middendorff R, Mayer JU, Loveland KL, Hedger M, Bhushan S, Meinhardt A. The regional distribution of resident immune cells shapes distinct immunological environments along the murine epididymis. eLife 2022; 11:e82193. [PMID: 36515584 PMCID: PMC9750176 DOI: 10.7554/elife.82193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The epididymis functions as transition zone for post-testicular sperm maturation and storage and faces contrasting immunological challenges, i.e. tolerance towards spermatozoa vs. reactivity against pathogens. Thus, normal organ function and integrity relies heavily on a tightly controlled immune balance. Previous studies described inflammation-associated tissue damage solely in the distal regions (corpus, cauda), but not in the proximal regions (initial segment, caput). To understand the observed region-specific immunity along the epididymal duct, we have used an acute bacterial epididymitis mouse model and analyzed the disease progression. Whole transcriptome analysis using RNAseq 10 days post infection showed a pro-inflammatory environment within the cauda, while the caput exhibited only minor transcriptional changes. High-dimensional flow cytometry analyses revealed drastic changes in the immune cell composition upon infection with uropathogenic Escherichia coli. A massive influx of neutrophils and monocytes was observed exclusively in distal regions and was associated with bacterial appearance and tissue alterations. In order to clarify the reasons for the region-specific differences in the intensity of immune responses, we investigated the heterogeneity of resident immune cell populations under physiological conditions by scRNASeq analysis of extravascular CD45+ cells. Twelve distinct immune cell subsets were identified, displaying substantial differences in distribution along the epididymis as further assessed by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence staining. Macrophages constituted the majority of resident immune cells and were further separated in distinct subgroups based on their transcriptional profile, tissue location and monocyte-dependence. Crucially, the proximal and distal regions showed striking differences in their immunological landscapes. These findings indicate that resident immune cells are strategically positioned along the epididymal duct, potentially providing different immunological environments required for addressing the contrasting immunological challenges and thus, preserving tissue integrity and organ function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiane Pleuger
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Hessian Center of Reproductive Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Dingding Ai
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Hessian Center of Reproductive Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Minea L Hoppe
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Hessian Center of Reproductive Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Laura T Winter
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Hessian Center of Reproductive Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Daniel Bohnert
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Hessian Center of Reproductive Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Dominik Karl
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Hessian Center of Reproductive Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Stefan Guenther
- ECCPS Bioinformatics and Deep Sequencing Platform, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Slava Epelman
- Ted Rogers Center of Heart Research, Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Crystal Kantores
- Ted Rogers Center of Heart Research, Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Monika Fijak
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Hessian Center of Reproductive Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Sarina Ravens
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Ralf Middendorff
- Hessian Center of Reproductive Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Signal Transduction, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Johannes U Mayer
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Philipps-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Kate L Loveland
- Centre of Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash Medical Centre, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Mark Hedger
- Centre of Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash Medical Centre, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Sudhanshu Bhushan
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Hessian Center of Reproductive Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Andreas Meinhardt
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Hessian Center of Reproductive Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Centre of Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Australia
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8
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Chuphal B, Rai U, Roy B. Teleost NOD-like receptors and their downstream signaling pathways: A brief review. FISH AND SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY REPORTS 2022; 3:100056. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fsirep.2022.100056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Revised: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
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9
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Wang AS, Steers NJ, Parab AR, Gachon F, Sweet MJ, Mysorekar IU. Timing is everything: impact of development, ageing and circadian rhythm on macrophage functions in urinary tract infections. Mucosal Immunol 2022; 15:1114-1126. [PMID: 36038769 DOI: 10.1038/s41385-022-00558-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The bladder supports a diversity of macrophage populations with functional roles related to homeostasis and host defense, including clearance of cell debris from tissue, immune surveillance, and inflammatory responses. This review examines these roles with particular attention given to macrophage origins, differentiation, recruitment, and engagement in host defense against urinary tract infections (UTIs), where these cells recognize uropathogens through a combination of receptor-mediated responses. Time is an important variable that is often overlooked in many clinical and biological studies, including in relation to macrophages and UTIs. Given that ageing is a significant factor in urinary tract infection pathogenesis and macrophages have been shown to harbor their own circadian system, this review also explores the influence of age on macrophage functions and the role of diurnal variations in macrophage functions in host defense and inflammation during UTIs. We provide a conceptual framework for future studies that address these key knowledge gaps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison S Wang
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB) and IMB Centre for Inflammation and Disease Research, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia.,Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Nicholas J Steers
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Adwaita R Parab
- Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Frédéric Gachon
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB) and IMB Centre for Inflammation and Disease Research, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Matthew J Sweet
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB) and IMB Centre for Inflammation and Disease Research, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia. .,Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia.
| | - Indira U Mysorekar
- Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA. .,Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
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10
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Sano M, Komiyama H, Shinoda R, Ozawa R, Watanabe H, Karasawa T, Takahashi M, Torii Y, Iwata H, Kuwayama T, Shirasuna K. NLRP3 inflammasome is involved in testicular inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide in mice. Am J Reprod Immunol 2022; 87:e13527. [PMID: 35148014 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM Systemic inflammation induced by infection, which is associated with testicular inflammation, predisposes males to subfertility. Recently, the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, leucine-rich repeat-, and pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome was identified as a key mediator of inflammation, and excessive activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome was shown to contribute to the pathogenesis of a wide variety of diseases. However, the mechanisms underlying infectious inflammation in the testis remain unclear. We investigated the effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced systemic inflammation on the role of the NLRP3 inflammasome in murine testes. METHOD OF STUDY We performed in vivo and in vitro studies using an LPS-induced model of NLRP3 inflammasome activation and testicular inflammation. RESULTS Intraperitoneal administration of LPS significantly impaired sperm motility in the epididymis of wild type (WT) and NLRP3-knockout (KO) mice. LPS administration stimulated interleukin (IL)-1β production and secretion in the testes of WT mice, and these adverse effects were improved in the testes of NLRP3-KO mice. LPS administration also stimulated neutrophil infiltration as well as its chemoattractant C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) in WT testes, which were suppressed in NLRP3-KO testes. In in vitro cell culture, treatment with LPS and NLRP3 inflammasome activation significantly induced IL-1β and CCL2 secretion from WT but not NLRP3-KO testicular cells. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, our results suggest that testicular cells have the potential to secrete IL-1β and CCL2 in an NLRP3 inflammasome-dependent manner and that these cytokines from the testis may further exacerbate testicular function, resulting in subfertility during infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michiya Sano
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Atsugi, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Hiromu Komiyama
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Atsugi, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Riina Shinoda
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Atsugi, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Ren Ozawa
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Atsugi, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Watanabe
- Department of Life and Food Sciences, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Tadayoshi Karasawa
- Division of Inflammation Research, Center for Molecular Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Masafumi Takahashi
- Division of Inflammation Research, Center for Molecular Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Yasushi Torii
- Laboratory of Animal Health, Department of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Atsugi, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Hisataka Iwata
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Atsugi, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Takehito Kuwayama
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Atsugi, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Koumei Shirasuna
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Atsugi, Kanagawa, Japan
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11
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Dutta S, Sengupta P, Chakravarthi S. Oxidant-Sensitive Inflammatory Pathways and Male Reproductive Functions. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1358:165-180. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-89340-8_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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12
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Hasan H, Bhushan S, Fijak M, Meinhardt A. Mechanism of Inflammatory Associated Impairment of Sperm Function, Spermatogenesis and Steroidogenesis. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:897029. [PMID: 35574022 PMCID: PMC9096214 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.897029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Infection and inflammation are relevant entities of male reproductive disorders that can lead to sub-/infertility. Associated damage of the testis of affected men and in rodent models include leukocytic infiltration, edema formation, fibrosis, germ cell loss and reduced androgen levels. Negative effects on spermatogenesis are thought to be elicited by oxidative stress sustained mostly by increased levels of ROS and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Under normal conditions these cytokines have physiological functions. However, increased levels as seen in inflammation and infection, but also in obesity and cancer are harmful for germ cells and impair steroidogenesis. As a summary, there is mounting evidence that the activation of inflammatory pathways is a rather common feature in various forms of male testicular disorders that extends beyond established infectious/inflammatory cues. This mini review will focus on relevant entities and the mechanisms of how a dysbalance of local testicular factors contributes to disturbances of spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Monika Fijak
- *Correspondence: Andreas Meinhardt, ; Monika Fijak,
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13
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Meinhardt A, Dejucq-Rainsford N, Bhushan S. Testicular macrophages: development and function in health and disease. Trends Immunol 2021; 43:51-62. [PMID: 34848166 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2021.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Macrophages comprise a heterogeneous immune cell population and display niche-specific phenotypes and functions in almost all organs. Testicular macrophages (TMs) perform essential immune and non-immune functions in the mammalian male gonads. Here, we discuss the most recent findings on TM ontogeny, heterogeneity, and function under steady state and inflammatory conditions. We also highlight new discoveries regarding the functions of macrophages during bacterial and viral infections of the testes and how macrophages may indirectly help the establishment of a reservoir through virus seeding. Understanding TM function and macrophage-related mechanisms of disease might assist in developing new opportunities for intervention in male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Meinhardt
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Nathalie Dejucq-Rainsford
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, École des Hautes Etudes en Santé Publique, Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail, Université de Rennes, F-35000 Rennes, France
| | - Sudhanshu Bhushan
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
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14
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Oxidative Stress, Testicular Inflammatory Pathways, and Male Reproduction. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221810043. [PMID: 34576205 PMCID: PMC8471715 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221810043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2021] [Revised: 09/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammation is among the core causatives of male infertility. Despite male infertility being a serious global issue, "bits and pieces" of its complex etiopathology still remain missing. During inflammation, levels of proinflammatory mediators in the male reproductive tract are greater than usual. According to epidemiological research, in numerous cases of male infertility, patients suffer from acute or chronic inflammation of the genitourinary tract which typically occurs without symptoms. Inflammatory responses in the male genital system are inextricably linked to oxidative stress (OS). OS is detrimental to male fertility parameters as it causes oxidative damage to reproductive cells and intracellular components. Multifarious male infertility causative factors pave the way for impairing male reproductive functions via the common mechanisms of OS and inflammation, both of which are interlinked pathophysiological processes, and the occurrence of any one of them induces the other. Both processes may be simultaneously found in the pathogenesis of male infertility. Thus, the present article aims to explain the role of inflammation and OS in male infertility in detail, as well as to show the mechanistic pathways that link causative factors of male reproductive tract inflammation, OS induction, and oxidant-sensitive cellular cascades leading to male infertility.
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15
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Lu Y, Liu M, Tursi NJ, Yan B, Cao X, Che Q, Yang N, Dong X. Uropathogenic Escherichia coli Infection Compromises the Blood-Testis Barrier by Disturbing mTORC1-mTORC2 Balance. Front Immunol 2021; 12:582858. [PMID: 33679734 PMCID: PMC7933507 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.582858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The structural and functional destruction of the blood-testis barrier (BTB) following uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) infection may be a critical component of the pathologic progress of orchitis. Recent findings indicate that the mammalian target of the rapamycin (mTOR)-signaling pathway is implicated in the regulation of BTB assembly and restructuring. To explore the mechanisms underlying BTB damage induced by UPEC infection, we analyzed BTB integrity and the involvement of the mTOR-signaling pathway using in vivo and in vitro UPEC-infection models. We initially confirmed that soluble virulent factors secreted from UPEC trigger a stress response in Sertoli cells and disturb adjacent cell junctions via down-regulation of junctional proteins, including occludin, zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), F-actin, connexin-43 (CX-43), β-catenin, and N-cadherin. The BTB was ultimately disrupted in UPEC-infected rat testes, and blood samples from UPEC-induced orchitis in these animals were positive for anti-sperm antibodies. Furthermore, we herein also demonstrated that mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) over-activation and mTORC2 suppression contributed to the disturbance in the balance between BTB "opening" and "closing." More importantly, rapamycin (a specific mTORC1 inhibitor) significantly restored the expression of cell-junction proteins and exerted a protective effect on the BTB during UPEC infection. We further confirmed that short-term treatment with rapamycin did not aggravate spermatogenic degeneration in infected rats. Collectively, this study showed an association between abnormal activation of the mTOR-signaling pathway and BTB impairment during UPEC-induced orchitis, which may provide new insights into a potential treatment strategy for testicular infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongning Lu
- Reproductive Medicine Centre, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Miao Liu
- Reproductive Medicine Centre, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Nicholas J. Tursi
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Bin Yan
- Reproductive Medicine Centre, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiang Cao
- Reproductive Medicine Centre, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qi Che
- Reproductive Medicine Centre, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Nianqin Yang
- Reproductive Medicine Centre, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xi Dong
- Reproductive Medicine Centre, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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16
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Zhang Z, Wang M, Zhang Y, Zhang Y, Bartkuhn M, Markmann M, Hossain H, Chakraborty T, Hake SB, Jia Z, Meinhardt A, Bhushan S. Uropathogenic Escherichia coli Virulence Factor α-Hemolysin Reduces Histone Acetylation to Inhibit Expression of Proinflammatory Cytokine Genes. J Infect Dis 2021; 223:1040-1051. [PMID: 33453118 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiab018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Urinary tract infections are common and costly diseases affecting millions of people. Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is a primary cause of these infections and has developed multiple strategies to avoid the host immune response. Here, we dissected the molecular mechanisms underpinning UPEC inhibition of inflammatory cytokine in vitro and in vivo. We found that UPEC infection simulates nuclear factor-κB activation but does not result in transcription of cytokine genes. Instead, UPEC-mediated suppression of the metabolic enzyme ATP citrate lyase results in decreased acetyl-CoA levels, leading to reduced H3K9 histone acetylation in the promotor region of CXCL8. These effects were dependent on the UPEC virulence factor α-hemolysin and were reversed by exogenous acetate. In a murine cystitis model, prior acetate supplementation rapidly resolved UPEC-elicited immune responses and improved tissue recovery. Thus, upon infection, UPEC rearranges host cell metabolism to induce chromatin remodeling processes that subvert expression of host innate immune response genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengguo Zhang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Ming Wang
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany.,Medical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yiming Zhang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Marek Bartkuhn
- Institute for Genetics, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Melanie Markmann
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Hamid Hossain
- Klinikum St Marien Amberg, Amberg and Kliniken Nordoberpfalz AG, Weiden, Germany
| | - Trinad Chakraborty
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Sandra B Hake
- Institute for Genetics, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Zhankui Jia
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Andreas Meinhardt
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Sudhanshu Bhushan
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
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17
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Neto FTL, Flannigan R, Goldstein M. Regulation of Human Spermatogenesis. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1288:255-286. [PMID: 34453741 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-77779-1_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Human spermatogenesis (HS) is an intricate network of sequential processes responsible for the production of the male gamete, the spermatozoon. These processes take place in the seminiferous tubules (ST) of the testis, which are small tubular structures considered the functional units of the testes. Each human testicle contains approximately 600-1200 STs [1], and are capable of producing up to 275 million spermatozoa per day [2].
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ryan Flannigan
- Department of Urology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.,University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Marc Goldstein
- Department of Urology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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18
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Abstract
Mammalian spermatogenesis is a carefully orchestrated male germ cell differentiation process by which spermatogonia differentiate to spermatozoa in the testis. A highly organized testicular microenvironment is therefore necessary to support spermatogenesis. Regarding immunologic aspects, the testis adapts a specialized immune environment for the protection of male germ cells and testicular functions. The mammalian testis possesses two immunologic features: (1) it is an immunoprivileged organ where immunogenic germ cells do not induce deleterious immune responses under physiologic conditions; and (2) it creates its own effective innate defense system against microbial infection. Various pathologic conditions may disrupt testicular immune homeostasis, thereby resulting in a detrimental immune response and perturbing testicular functions, one of the etiologic factors of male infertility. Understanding the mechanisms underlying immunoregulation in the testis can aid in establishing strategies for the prevention and therapy of immunologic testicular dysfunction and male infertility. This chapter focuses on the mechanisms underlying immune privilege, local innate immunity, and immunologic diseases of the testis.
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19
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Elsonbaty SM, Ismail AFM. Nicotine encourages oxidative stress and impairment of rats' brain mitigated by Spirulina platensis lipopolysaccharides and low-dose ionizing radiation. Arch Biochem Biophys 2020; 689:108382. [PMID: 32343976 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2020.108382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2020] [Revised: 04/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Nicotine is a psychoactive alkaloid of tobacco, which is ingested during cigarettes or electronic cigarette smoking. Extensive consumption of nicotine induced oxidative stress. Accordingly, it is implicated in many pathophysiology brain disorders and triggers neurodegeneration. In this study, we investigated the protective role of Spirulina platensis-lipopolysaccharides (S.LPS) and the low dose-ionizing radiation (LD-IR) against the induced neurotoxicity in the rats' brain due to the prolonged administration of high nicotine levels. Rats treated with nicotine for two months showed alterations in the oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione disulfide (GSSG)), antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (Cat), glutathione enzymes (GPx and GST)) as well as several pro-inflammatory markers (Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α), Interleukin-17 (IL-17), and Nuclear Factor-kappa B (NF-κB)), and induced apoptosis through Caspase-3 activity. Nicotine also upregulated the mRNA gene expression of cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP2B1 and CYP2E1), Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5), Toll-Like Receptor 4 (TLR4), and phospho-Tau (p-Tau) protein expression. Besides, it downregulated the alpha-7 nicotinic receptor (α7nAChR) mRNA gene expression accompanied by a decline in the calcium (Ca2+) level. S.LPS exhibited antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and neuroprotective activities, which counteracting the detrimental effects of chronic nicotine administration. LD-IR demonstrated comparable effects to S.LPS. Exposure of rats to LD-IR enhanced the neuroprotective effects of S.LPS against nicotine toxicity. The light microscopic examination of the brain tissues was in agreement with the biochemical investigations. These findings display that S.LPS and LD-IR mitigated the oxidative stress and the impairment of rats' brain induced by nicotine, due to regulation of the mRNA gene expression of cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP2B1 and CYP2E1) and the signaling pathway of Tau protein phosphorylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sawsan M Elsonbaty
- Radiation Microbiology Department, National Center for Radiation Research and Technology (NCRRT), Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority (EAEA), Ahmed El-Zomor St. 3, El-Zohoor Dist., Nasr City, 11787, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Amel F M Ismail
- Drug Radiation Research Department, National Center for Radiation Research and Technology (NCRRT), Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority (EAEA), Ahmed El-Zomor St. 3, El-Zohoor Dist., Nasr City, 11787, Cairo, Egypt.
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20
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Bryan ER, Kim J, Beagley KW, Carey AJ. Testicular inflammation and infertility: Could chlamydial infections be contributing? Am J Reprod Immunol 2020; 84:e13286. [DOI: 10.1111/aji.13286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Emily R. Bryan
- School of Biomedical Sciences Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation Queensland University of Technology Brisbane Qld Australia
| | - Jay Kim
- School of Biomedical Sciences Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation Queensland University of Technology Brisbane Qld Australia
| | - Kenneth W. Beagley
- School of Biomedical Sciences Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation Queensland University of Technology Brisbane Qld Australia
| | - Alison J. Carey
- School of Biomedical Sciences Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation Queensland University of Technology Brisbane Qld Australia
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21
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Li Y, Su Y, Zhou T, Hu Z, Wei J, Wang W, Liu C, Zhang H, Zhao K. Activation of the NLRP3 Inflammasome Pathway by Prokineticin 2 in Testicular Macrophages of Uropathogenic Escherichia coli- Induced Orchitis. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1872. [PMID: 31474981 PMCID: PMC6702272 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Infections of the reproductive tract are known to contribute to testicular inflammatory impairment, leading to an increase of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, and a decline in sperm quality. Prokineticin 2 (PK2), a secretory protein, is closely associated with the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines in inflamed tissue. It was reported that increased PK2 is related to the upregulation of IL-1β, but the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Here, we illustrated that PK2 was upregulated in testicular macrophages (TM) in a rat model of uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) infection, which induced the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway to boost IL-1β secretion. Administration of PK2 inhibitor alleviated the inflammatory damage and suppressed IL-1β secretion. Moreover, PK2 promoted NLRP3 expression and the release of cleaved IL-1β from TM to the supernatants after the challenge with UPEC in vitro. IL-1β in the supernatants affected Leydig cells by suppressing the expression of genes encoding for the enzymes P450scc and P450c17, which are involved in testosterone production. Overall, we revealed that increased PK2 levels in TM in UPEC-induced orchitis may impair testosterone synthesis via the activation of the NLRP3 pathway. Our study provides a new insight into the mechanisms underlying inflammation-associated male infertility and suggests an anti-inflammatory therapeutic target for male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Li
- Family Planning Research Institute/Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Prenatal Diagnostic Center, People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
| | - Yufang Su
- Family Planning Research Institute/Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ting Zhou
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huangzhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhiyong Hu
- Family Planning Research Institute/Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiajing Wei
- Family Planning Research Institute/Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Family Planning Research Institute/Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Chunyan Liu
- Family Planning Research Institute/Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Huiping Zhang
- Family Planning Research Institute/Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Kai Zhao
- Family Planning Research Institute/Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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22
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Naas H, de Oliveira AA, Karpova T, Nunes KP. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) as a possible pathological mechanism in hyperglycemia-associated testicular dysfunction. Med Hypotheses 2019; 127:116-119. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2019.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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23
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Meinhardt A, Wang M, Schulz C, Bhushan S. Microenvironmental signals govern the cellular identity of testicular macrophages. J Leukoc Biol 2019; 104:757-766. [PMID: 30265772 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.3mr0318-086rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2018] [Revised: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Testicular macrophages (TM) comprise the largest immune cell population in the mammalian testis. They are characterized by a subdued proinflammatory response upon adequate stimulation, and a polarization toward the immunoregulatory and immunotolerant M2 phenotype. This enables them to play a relevant role in supporting the archetypical functions of the testis, namely spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis. During infection, the characteristic blunted immune response of TM reflects the need for a delicate balance between a sufficiently strong reaction to counteract invading pathogens, and the prevention of excessive proinflammatory cytokine levels with the potential to disturb or destroy spermatogenesis. Local microenvironmental factors that determine the special phenotype of TM have just begun to be unraveled, and are discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Meinhardt
- Unit of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Ming Wang
- Unit of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Christian Schulz
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I, Klinikum der Universität, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany
| | - Sudhanshu Bhushan
- Unit of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
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24
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Nejsum LN, Piec A, Fijak M, Ernstsen CV, Fischer D, Maier TJ, Kinscherf R, Hofmann R, Urbschat A. Systemic LPS induces toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) expression and apoptosis in testicular mouse tissue. Cell Tissue Res 2019; 378:143-154. [PMID: 30989399 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-019-03022-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2018] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
It is well known that sepsis and inflammation reduce male fertility. Within the testis, toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) is constitutively expressed and recognizes double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) from viruses, degraded bacteria, damaged tissues and necrotic cells. To characterize the potential role of TLR3 in response to testicular infections, its expression and downstream signaling were investigated upon challenge with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in two mouse strains that differ in their immuno-competence regarding T cell-regulated immunity. Thereto, Balb/c and Foxn1nu mice were randomized into six interventional groups treated with either i.v. application of saline or LPS followed by 20 min, 5 h 30 min and 18 h of observation and two sham-treated control groups. LPS administration induced a significant stress response; the amplification was manifested for TLR3 and interleukin 6 (IL6) mRNA in the impaired testis 5 h 30 min after LPS injection. TLR3 immunostaining revealed that TLR3 was primarily localized in spermatocytes. The TLR3 expression displayed different temporal dynamics between both mouse strains. However, immunofluorescence staining indicated only punctual interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) expression upon LPS treatment along with minor alterations in interferon β (IFNβ) mRNA expression. Induction of acute inflammation was closely followed by a significant shift of the Bax/Bcl2 ratio to pro-apoptotic signaling accompanied by augmented TUNEL-positive cells 18 h after LPS injection with again differing patterns in both mouse strains. In conclusion, this study shows the involvement of TLR3 in response to LPS-induced testicular inflammation in immuno-competent and -incompetent mice, yet lacking transmission into its signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lene N Nejsum
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Adrian Piec
- Clinic of Urology and Pediatric Urology, Philipps-University Marburg, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Monika Fijak
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus-Liebig University Gießen, Giessen, Germany
| | | | - Dania Fischer
- Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care Medicine and Pain Therapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe-University Frankfurt/Main, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Thorsten J Maier
- Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care Medicine and Pain Therapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe-University Frankfurt/Main, Frankfurt, Germany.,Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Bartholins Allé 6, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Ralf Kinscherf
- Department of Medical Cell Biology, Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Philipps-University of Marburg, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Rainer Hofmann
- Clinic of Urology and Pediatric Urology, Philipps-University Marburg, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Anja Urbschat
- Clinic of Urology and Pediatric Urology, Philipps-University Marburg, Frankfurt, Germany. .,Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Bartholins Allé 6, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark.
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Fijak M, Pilatz A, Hedger MP, Nicolas N, Bhushan S, Michel V, Tung KSK, Schuppe HC, Meinhardt A. Infectious, inflammatory and 'autoimmune' male factor infertility: how do rodent models inform clinical practice? Hum Reprod Update 2018; 24:416-441. [PMID: 29648649 PMCID: PMC6016649 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmy009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2016] [Revised: 03/02/2018] [Accepted: 03/10/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infection and inflammation of the reproductive tract are significant causes of male factor infertility. Ascending infections caused by sexually transmitted bacteria or urinary tract pathogens represent the most frequent aetiology of epididymo-orchitis, but viral, haematogenous dissemination is also a contributory factor. Limitations in adequate diagnosis and therapy reflect an obvious need for further understanding of human epididymal and testicular immunopathologies and their contribution to infertility. A major obstacle for advancing our knowledge is the limited access to suitable tissue samples. Similarly, the key events in the inflammatory or autoimmune pathologies affecting human male fertility are poorly amenable to close examination. Moreover, the disease processes generally have occurred long before the patient attends the clinic for fertility assessment. In this regard, data obtained from experimental animal models and respective comparative analyses have shown promise to overcome these restrictions in humans. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE This narrative review will focus on male fertility disturbances caused by infection and inflammation, and the usefulness of the most frequently applied animal models to study these conditions. SEARCH METHODS An extensive search in Medline database was performed without restrictions until January 2018 using the following search terms: 'infection' and/or 'inflammation' and 'testis' and/or 'epididymis', 'infection' and/or 'inflammation' and 'male genital tract', 'male infertility', 'orchitis', 'epididymitis', 'experimental autoimmune' and 'orchitis' or 'epididymitis' or 'epididymo-orchitis', antisperm antibodies', 'vasectomy'. In addition to that, reference lists of primary and review articles were reviewed for additional publications independently by each author. Selected articles were verified by each two separate authors and discrepancies discussed within the team. OUTCOMES There is clear evidence that models mimicking testicular and/or epididymal inflammation and infection have been instructive in a better understanding of the mechanisms of disease initiation and progression. In this regard, rodent models of acute bacterial epididymitis best reflect the clinical situation in terms of mimicking the infection pathway, pathogens selected and the damage, such as fibrotic transformation, observed. Similarly, animal models of acute testicular and epididymal inflammation using lipopolysaccharides show impairment of reproduction, endocrine function and histological tissue architecture, also seen in men. Autoimmune responses can be studied in models of experimental autoimmune orchitis (EAO) and vasectomy. In particular, the early stages of EAO development showing inflammatory responses in the form of peritubular lymphocytic infiltrates, thickening of the lamina propria of affected tubules, production of autoantibodies against testicular antigens or secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators, replicate observations in testicular sperm extraction samples of patients with 'mixed atrophy' of spermatogenesis. Vasectomy, in the form of sperm antibodies and chronic inflammation, can also be studied in animal models, providing valuable insights into the human response. WIDER IMPLICATIONS This is the first comprehensive review of rodent models of both infectious and autoimmune disease of testis/epididymis, and their clinical implications, i.e. their importance in understanding male infertility related to infectious and non-infectious/autoimmune disease of the reproductive organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Fijak
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Aulweg 123, Giessen, Germany
| | - Adrian Pilatz
- Clinic of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Justus-Liebig University of Giessen, Germany
| | - Mark P Hedger
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, 27-31 Wright Street, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nour Nicolas
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Aulweg 123, Giessen, Germany
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, 27-31 Wright Street, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sudhanshu Bhushan
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Aulweg 123, Giessen, Germany
| | - Vera Michel
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Aulweg 123, Giessen, Germany
| | - Kenneth S K Tung
- Departments of Pathology and Microbiology, Beirne Carter Center for Immunology Research, University of Virginia, 345 Crispell Drive, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Hans-Christian Schuppe
- Clinic of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Justus-Liebig University of Giessen, Germany
| | - Andreas Meinhardt
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Aulweg 123, Giessen, Germany
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, 27-31 Wright Street, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
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Lu Y, Rafiq A, Zhang Z, Aslani F, Fijak M, Lei T, Wang M, Kumar S, Klug J, Bergmann M, Chakraborty T, Meinhardt A, Bhushan S. Uropathogenic Escherichia coli virulence factor hemolysin A causes programmed cell necrosis by altering mitochondrial dynamics. FASEB J 2018; 32:4107-4120. [PMID: 29490169 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201700768r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is the most common cause of urinary tract infections. In this study, UPEC strains harboring hemolysin A (HlyA) did not induce programmed cell death pathways by the activation of caspases. Instead, the UPEC pore-forming toxin HlyA triggered an increase in mitochondrial Ca2+ levels and manipulated mitochondrial dynamics by causing fragmentation of the mitochondrial network. Alterations in mitochondrial dynamics resulted in severe impairment of mitochondrial functions by loss of membrane potential, increase in reactive oxygen species production, and ATP depletion. Moreover, HlyA caused disruption of plasma membrane integrity that was accompanied by extracellular release of the danger-associated molecules high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and histone 3 (H3). Our results indicate that UPEC induced programmed cell necrosis by irreversibly impairing mitochondrial function. This finding suggests a strategy devised by UPEC at the onset of infection to escape early innate immune response and silently propagate inside host cells.-Lu, Y., Rafiq, A., Zhang, Z., Aslani, F., Fijak, M., Lei, T., Wang, M., Kumar, S., Klug, J., Bergmann, M., Chakraborty, T., Meinhardt, A., Bhushan, S. Uropathogenic Escherichia coli virulence factor hemolysin A causes programmed cell necrosis by altering mitochondrial dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongning Lu
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Amir Rafiq
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Zhengguo Zhang
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Ferial Aslani
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Monika Fijak
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Tao Lei
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Ming Wang
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Sanjeev Kumar
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Jörg Klug
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Martin Bergmann
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Trinad Chakraborty
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Andreas Meinhardt
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Sudhanshu Bhushan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
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Human sperm Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) mediates acrosome reaction, oxidative stress markers, and sperm parameters in response to bacterial lipopolysaccharide in infertile men. J Assist Reprod Genet 2017; 34:1067-1077. [PMID: 28550386 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-017-0957-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2016] [Accepted: 05/16/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To study the role of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in human spermatozoa and to assess sperm parameters, oxidative stress markers, and acrosome reaction in response to the stimulation of TLR4 by its ligand, the lipopolysaccharide (LPS), as a major endotoxin of Gram-negative bacteria. METHODS Our study was carried out in 73 sperm samples from patients undergoing semen analysis for couple infertility investigations. The studied patients were divided into three groups: normozoospermic fertile patients (n = 13), patients with abnormal and leukospermic semen (n = 13), and patients with abnormal and non-leukospermic semen (n = 47). TLR4 expression in human spermatozoa was initially analyzed by western blot. Sperm samples were incubated in the presence of LPS (200 ng/ml) for 18 h. Then, sperm motility and vitality were evaluated by microscopic observation and oxidative stress markers as malondialdehyde (MDA) and carbonyl groups (CG) were spectrophotometrically assessed in neat and selected sperm. A triple-stain technique was also performed to evaluate acrosome reaction in 15 sperm samples from infertile patients. RESULTS TLR4 expression was confirmed in human spermatozoa with a molecular weight of 69 kDa. In the normozoospermic group, no significant differences in sperm parameters and oxidative stress markers were shown after incubation with LPS in neat and selected sperms. Regarding samples from the non-leukospermic group, LPS reduced spermatozoa motility and vitality rates in selected sperm (P = 0.003; P = 0.004, respectively). A significant increase of MDA and CG levels was also detected (P = 0.01; P = 0.02, respectively). However, only the MDA levels were significantly increased (P = 0.01) in neat LPS-stimulated sperm. The same results were shown within the leukospermic group. The comparison between the two groups, leukospermic and non-leukospermic, in selected sperms showed a more important LPS effect in the leukospermic group significantly on motility and MDA rates (P = 0.006; P = 0.009, respectively). Furthermore, a significant decrease in reacted spermatozoa rate was detected in response to LPS in selected sperm samples from infertile men (P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that human spermatozoa express TLR4 and respond to LPS stimulation with alterations in viability, motility, and the acrosome reaction implicating reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in sperm samples from infertile patients.
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Wang M, Fijak M, Hossain H, Markmann M, Nüsing RM, Lochnit G, Hartmann MF, Wudy SA, Zhang L, Gu H, Konrad L, Chakraborty T, Meinhardt A, Bhushan S. Characterization of the Micro-Environment of the Testis that Shapes the Phenotype and Function of Testicular Macrophages. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2017; 198:4327-4340. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1700162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2017] [Accepted: 04/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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Li Z, Zhang D, He Y, Ding Z, Mao F, Luo T, Zhang X. Lipopolysaccharide Compromises Human Sperm Function by Reducing Intracellular cAMP. TOHOKU J EXP MED 2016; 238:105-12. [PMID: 26782775 DOI: 10.1620/tjem.238.105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
A worldwide decline in the quality of human semen is currently occurring. In mammals, sperm are produced from diploid stem-cell spermatogonia by spermatogenesis in testes and become mature in epididymis. Nevertheless, these biological processes can be affected by Gram-negative bacterial infection mediated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the major endotoxin of Gram-negative bacteria. It is well known that LPS can disturb spermatogenesis and affect sperm maturation and quality in vivo. However, the effect of LPS on the ejaculated mature sperm in vitro remains unclear. Thus, this study aimed to assess the in vitro toxicity of LPS on human sperm function and to elucidate the underlying mechanism. Human sperm were incubated with LPS (0.1-100 μg/ml) for 1-12 h in vitro and, subsequently, sperm viability, motility and capacitation, and the acrosome reaction were examined. LPS dose-dependently inhibited total and progressive motility and the ability to move through a viscous medium of the sperm but did not affect sperm viability, capacitation, and the acrosome reaction. To explore the underlying mechanism of LPS's actions, we examined the effects of LPS on the intracellular concentrations of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and calcium ([Ca(2+)]i) and protein-tyrosine phosphorylation of human sperm, which are key regulators of human sperm function. LPS decreased intracellular cAMP dose-dependently but had no effect on [Ca(2+)]i and protein-tyrosine phosphorylation of human sperm. These findings suggest that LPS inhibits human sperm motility by decreasing intracellular cAMP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongyuan Li
- Department of Urology, Xiangyang Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine
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30
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Owusu-Boaitey N, Bauckman KA, Zhang T, Mysorekar IU. Macrophagic control of the response to uropathogenic E. coli infection by regulation of iron retention in an IL-6-dependent manner. IMMUNITY INFLAMMATION AND DISEASE 2016; 4:413-426. [PMID: 27980776 PMCID: PMC5134725 DOI: 10.1002/iid3.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2016] [Revised: 07/26/2016] [Accepted: 07/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC), the causative agent of over 85% of urinary tract infections (UTIs), elaborate a number of siderophores to chelate iron from the host. On the other hand, the host immune imperative is to limit the availability of iron to the bacteria. Little is known regarding the mechanisms underlying this host‐iron‐UPEC interaction. Our objective was to determine whether macrophages, in response to UPEC infection, retain extracellular siderophore‐bound and free iron, thus limiting the ability of UPEC to access iron. Methods Quantitative PCR, immunoblotting analysis, and gene expression analysis of wild type and IL‐6‐deficient macrophages was performed. Results We found that (1) macrophages upon UPEC infection increased expression of lipocalin 2, a siderophore‐binding molecule, of Dmt1, a molecule that facilitates macrophage uptake of free iron, and of the intracellular iron cargo molecule ferritin, and decreased expression of the iron exporter ferroportin; (2) bladder macrophages regulate expression of genes involved in iron retention upon UPEC infection; (3) IL‐6, a cytokine known to play an important role in regulating host iron homeostasis as well as host defense to UPEC, regulates this process, in part by promoting production of lipocalin 2; and finally, (4) inhibition of IL‐6 signaling genetically and by neutralizing antibodies against the IL‐6 receptor, promoted intra‐macrophagic UPEC growth in the presence of excess iron. Conclusions Together, our study suggests that macrophages retain siderophore‐bound and free iron in response to UPEC and IL‐6 signaling is necessary for macrophages to limit the growth of UPEC in the presence of excess iron. IL‐6 signaling and iron regulation is one mechanism by which macrophages may mediate UPEC clearance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nana Owusu-Boaitey
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Washington University School of Medicine St. Louis Missouri
| | - Kyle A Bauckman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Washington University School of Medicine St. Louis Missouri
| | - Tingxuan Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Washington University School of Medicine St. Louis Missouri
| | - Indira U Mysorekar
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyWashington University School of MedicineSt. LouisMissouri; Department of Pathology and ImmunologyWashington University School of MedicineSt. LouisMissouri
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Eskandari M, Jani S, Kazemi M, Zeighami H, Yazdinezhad A, Mazloomi S, Shokri S. Ameliorating Effect of Ginseng on Epididymo-Orchitis Inducing Alterations in Sperm Quality and Spermatogenic Cells Apoptosis following Infection by Uropathogenic Escherichia coli in Rats. CELL JOURNAL 2016; 18:446-57. [PMID: 27602327 PMCID: PMC5011333 DOI: 10.22074/cellj.2016.4573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2015] [Accepted: 12/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Objective Epididymo-orchitis (EO) potentially results in reduced fertility in up to 60%
of affected patients. The anti-inflammatory effects of Korean red ginseng (KRG) and its
ability to act as an immunoenhancer in parallel with the beneficial effects of this ancient
herbal medicine on the reproductive systems of animals and humans led us to evaluate its
protective effects against acute EO.
Materials and Methods This animal experimental study was conducted in the Department of Anatomical Sciences,
Faculty of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences
(ZUMS), Zanjan, Iran during 2013-2015. We divided 50 Wistar rats into five following
groups (n=10 per group): i. Control-intact animals, ii. Vehicle-phosphate buffered saline
(PBS) injection into the vas deferens, iii. KRG-an intraperitoneal (IP) injection of KRG, iv.
EO-an injection of uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) strain M39 into the vas defer-
ens, and v. EO/ KRG-injections of both UPEC strain M39 and KRG. The treatment lasted
seven days. We then evaluated sperm parameters, number of germ cell layers, Johnson’s
criteria, germ cell apoptosis, body weight and relative sex organs weight.
Results Acute EO increased the relative weight of prostate and seminal vesicles (P≤0.05).
It also reduced sperm quality such as total motility, sperm concentration (P≤0.01), and the
percentage of normal sperm (P≤0.001). Moreover, acute EO decreased Miller’s (P≤0.05)
and Johnsen’s scores and increased apoptotic indexes of spermatogenic cells (P≤0.001).
KRG treatment decreased prostate weight gain (P≤0.05) and improved the percentage of
sperm with normal morphology, total motility (P≤0.01), and progressive motility (P≤0.05).
The apoptotic indexes of spermatogenic cells reduced (P≤0.001), whereas both Johnsen’s (P≤0.01) and Miller’s criteria increased in the KRG-treated EO testis (P≤0.05).
Conclusion Consequently, KRG ameliorated the devastating effects of EO on the sperm
retrieved from either epididymis or testicle in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Eskandari
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Soghra Jani
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Mahsa Kazemi
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Habib Zeighami
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Alireza Yazdinezhad
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Sahar Mazloomi
- Metabolic Diseases Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Saeed Shokri
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
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Bhushan S, Meinhardt A. The macrophages in testis function. J Reprod Immunol 2016; 119:107-112. [PMID: 27422223 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2016.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2016] [Revised: 05/31/2016] [Accepted: 06/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Testicular macrophages are the largest leukocyte population in the testis. Their environment is characterized by the seemingly contradictory needs for tolerance against the autoantigenic germ cells and the capacity to mount pro-inflammatory innate immune responses against invading pathogens. During the past years considerable progress has been made in our understanding how intracellular signaling events enable testicular macrophages to adequately respond to inflammatory stimuli with the capacity to clear pathogens, but avoid excessive tissue damage to maintain fertility. Moreover, new data add to our understanding that testicular macrophages play essential roles in normal testis homeostasis and fetal testicular development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudhanshu Bhushan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Germany
| | - Andreas Meinhardt
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Germany.
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Khosravi F, Michel V, Galuska CE, Bhushan S, Christian P, Schuppe HC, Pilatz A, Galuska SP, Meinhardt A. Desialylation of Spermatozoa and Epithelial Cell Glycocalyx Is a Consequence of Bacterial Infection of the Epididymis. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:17717-26. [PMID: 27339898 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m116.718072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Urinary tract infections caused by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) pathovars belong to the most frequent infections in humans. In men, pathogens can also spread to the genital tract via the continuous ductal system, eliciting bacterial prostatitis and/or epididymo-orchitis. Antibiotic treatment usually clears pathogens in acute epididymitis; however, the fertility of patients can be permanently impaired. Because a premature acrosome reaction was observed in an UPEC epididymitis mouse model, and sialidases on the sperm surface are considered to be activated via proteases of the acrosome, we aimed to investigate whether alterations of the sialome of epididymal spermatozoa and surrounding epithelial cells occur during UPEC infection. In UPEC-elicited acute epididymitis in mice, a substantial loss of N-acetylneuraminic acid residues was detected in epididymal spermatozoa and epithelial cells using combined laser microdissection/HPLC-ESI-MS analysis. In support, a substantial reduction of sialic acid residues bound to the surface of spermatozoa was documented in men with a recent history of E. coli-associated epididymitis. In vitro, such an UPEC induced N-acetylneuraminic acid release from human spermatozoa was effectively counteracted by a sialidase inhibitor. These findings strongly suggest a substantial remodeling of the glycocalyx of spermatozoa and epididymal epithelial cells by endogenous sialidases after a premature acrosome reaction during acute epididymitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farhad Khosravi
- From the Institutes of Anatomy and Cell Biology and Biochemistry and
| | - Vera Michel
- From the Institutes of Anatomy and Cell Biology and
| | | | | | | | - Hans-Christian Schuppe
- Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology, and Andrology, Faculty of Medicine, Justus Liebig University, 35392 Giessen, Germany and
| | - Adrian Pilatz
- Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology, and Andrology, Faculty of Medicine, Justus Liebig University, 35392 Giessen, Germany and
| | - Sebastian P Galuska
- Biochemistry and the Department of Reproductive Biology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology, 18196 Dummerstorf, Germany
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Schagdarsurengin U, Western P, Steger K, Meinhardt A. Developmental origins of male subfertility: role of infection, inflammation, and environmental factors. Semin Immunopathol 2016; 38:765-781. [PMID: 27315198 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-016-0576-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2016] [Accepted: 06/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Male gamete development begins with the specification of primordial cells in the epiblast of the early embryo and is not complete until spermatozoa mature in the epididymis of adult males. This protracted developmental process involves extensive alteration of the paternal germline epigenome. Initially, epigenetic reprogramming in fetal germ cells results in removal of most DNA methylation, including parent-specific epigenetic information. The germ cells then establish sex-specific epigenetic information through de novo methylation and undergo spermatogenesis. Chromatin in haploid germ cells is repackaged into protamines during spermiogenesis, providing further widespread epigenetic reorganization. Finally, after fertilization, epigenetic reprogramming in the preimplantation embryo is necessary for regaining totipotency. These events provide substantial windows during which epigenetic errors either may be corrected or may occur in the germline. There is now increasing evidence that environmental factors such as exposure to toxicants, the parents' and individual's diet, and even infectious and inflammatory events in the male reproductive tract may influence epigenetic reprogramming. This, together with other damage inflicted on the germline chromatin, may result in negative consequences for fertility and health. Large epidemiological birth cohort studies have yielded insight into possible causative environmental factors. Together with experimental animal studies, a clearer view of environmental impacts on fetal development and their intergenerational and even transgenerational effects on reproductive health has emerged and is reviewed in this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Undraga Schagdarsurengin
- Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Section Molecular Andrology, Justus-Liebig University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Patrick Western
- Centre for Genetic Diseases, Hudson Institute for Medical Research and Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Klaus Steger
- Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Section Molecular Andrology, Justus-Liebig University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Andreas Meinhardt
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Justus-Liebig University of Giessen, Aulweg 123, 35385, Giessen, Germany.
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Verze P, Cai T, Lorenzetti S. The role of the prostate in male fertility, health and disease. Nat Rev Urol 2016; 13:379-86. [PMID: 27245504 DOI: 10.1038/nrurol.2016.89] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Cheng L, Chen Q, Zhu W, Wu H, Wang Q, Shi L, Zhao X, Han D. Toll-like Receptors 4 and 5 Cooperatively Initiate the Innate Immune Responses to Uropathogenic Escherichia coli Infection in Mouse Epididymal Epithelial Cells1. Biol Reprod 2016; 94:58. [DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.115.136580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2015] [Accepted: 01/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
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Bhushan S, Aslani F, Zhang Z, Sebastian T, Elsässer HP, Klug J. Isolation of Sertoli Cells and Peritubular Cells from Rat Testes. J Vis Exp 2016:e53389. [PMID: 26890157 DOI: 10.3791/53389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The testis, and in particular the male gamete, challenges the immune system in a unique way because differentiated sperm first appear at the time of puberty - more than ten years after the establishment of systemic immune tolerance. Spermatogenic cells express a number of proteins that may be seen as non-self by the immune system. The testis must then be able to establish tolerance to these neo-antigens on the one hand but still be able to protect itself from infections and tumor development on the other hand. Therefore the testis is one of a few immune privileged sites in the body that tolerate foreign antigens without evoking a detrimental inflammatory immune response. Sertoli cells play a key role for the maintenance of this immune privileged environment of the testis and also prolong survival of cotransplanted cells in a foreign environment. Therefore primary Sertoli cells are an important tool for studying the immune privilege of the testis that cannot be easily replaced by established cell lines or other cellular models. Here we present a detailed and comprehensive protocol for the isolation of Sertoli cells - and peritubular cells if desired - from rat testes within a single day.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudhanshu Bhushan
- Institut für Anatomie und Zellbiologie, Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen
| | - Ferial Aslani
- Institut für Anatomie und Zellbiologie, Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen
| | - Zhengguo Zhang
- Institut für Anatomie und Zellbiologie, Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen
| | - Tim Sebastian
- Institut für Anatomie und Zellbiologie, Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen
| | | | - Jörg Klug
- Institut für Anatomie und Zellbiologie, Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen;
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Hong F, Wang Y, Zhou Y, Zhang Q, Ge Y, Chen M, Hong J, Wang L. Exposure to TiO2 Nanoparticles Induces Immunological Dysfunction in Mouse Testitis. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2016; 64:346-55. [PMID: 26720763 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.5b05262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Although TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) as endocrine disruptors have been demonstrated to be able to cross the blood-testis barriers and induce reproductive toxicity in male animals, whether the reproductive toxicity of male animals due to exposure to endocrine disruptor TiO2 NPs is related to immunological dysfunction in the testis remains not well understood. This study determined whether the reproductive toxicity and immunological dysfunction induced by exposure to TiO2 NPs is associated with activation or inhibition of TAM/TLR-mediated signal pathway in mouse testis. The results showed that male mice exhibited significant reduction of fertility, infiltration of inflammatory cells, rarefaction, apoptosis, and/or necrosis of spermatogenic cells and Sertoli cells due to TiO2 NPs. Furthermore, these were associated with decreased expression of Tyro3 (-18.16 to -66.6%), Axl (-14.7 to -57.99%), Mer (-7.98 to -72.62%), and IκB (-11.25 to -63.16%), suppression of cytokine signaling (SOCS) 1 (-21.99 to -73.8%) and SOCS3 (-8.11 to -34.86%), and increased expression of Toll-like receptor (TLR)-3 (21.4-156.03%), TLR-4 (37.0-109.87%), nuclear factor-κB (14.75-69.34%), interleukin (IL)-lβ (46.15-123.08%), IL-6 (2.54-81.98%), tumor necrosis factor-α (6.95-88.39%), interferon (IFN)-α (2.54-37.25%), and IFN-β (10.19-80.56%), which are involved in the immune environment in the testis. The findings showed that reproductive toxicity of male mice induced by exposure to endocrine disruptor TiO2 NPs may be associated with biomarkers of impairment of immune environment or dysfunction of TAM/TLR3-mediated signal pathway in mouse testitis. Therefore, the potential risks to reproductive health should be attended, especially in those who are occupationally exposed to TiO2 NPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fashui Hong
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Regional Modern Agriculture & Environmental Protection, Huaiyin Normal University , Huaian 223300, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Eco-Agricultural Biotechnology around Hongze Lake, Huaiyin Normal University , Huaian 223300, China
- School of Life Sciences, Huaiyin Normal University , Huaian 223300, China
| | - Yajing Wang
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Regional Modern Agriculture & Environmental Protection, Huaiyin Normal University , Huaian 223300, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Eco-Agricultural Biotechnology around Hongze Lake, Huaiyin Normal University , Huaian 223300, China
- School of Life Sciences, Huaiyin Normal University , Huaian 223300, China
| | - Yingjun Zhou
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Regional Modern Agriculture & Environmental Protection, Huaiyin Normal University , Huaian 223300, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Eco-Agricultural Biotechnology around Hongze Lake, Huaiyin Normal University , Huaian 223300, China
- School of Life Sciences, Huaiyin Normal University , Huaian 223300, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Regional Modern Agriculture & Environmental Protection, Huaiyin Normal University , Huaian 223300, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Eco-Agricultural Biotechnology around Hongze Lake, Huaiyin Normal University , Huaian 223300, China
- School of Life Sciences, Huaiyin Normal University , Huaian 223300, China
| | - Yushuang Ge
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Regional Modern Agriculture & Environmental Protection, Huaiyin Normal University , Huaian 223300, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Eco-Agricultural Biotechnology around Hongze Lake, Huaiyin Normal University , Huaian 223300, China
- School of Life Sciences, Huaiyin Normal University , Huaian 223300, China
| | - Ming Chen
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Regional Modern Agriculture & Environmental Protection, Huaiyin Normal University , Huaian 223300, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Eco-Agricultural Biotechnology around Hongze Lake, Huaiyin Normal University , Huaian 223300, China
- School of Life Sciences, Huaiyin Normal University , Huaian 223300, China
| | - Jie Hong
- Medical College of Soochow University , Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Ling Wang
- Library of Soochow University , Suzhou 215123, China
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Hayrabedyan S, Todorova K, Jabeen A, Metodieva G, Toshkov S, Metodiev MV, Mincheff M, Fernández N. Sertoli cells have a functional NALP3 inflammasome that can modulate autophagy and cytokine production. Sci Rep 2016; 6:18896. [PMID: 26744177 PMCID: PMC4705529 DOI: 10.1038/srep18896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2015] [Accepted: 11/27/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Sertoli cells, can function as non-professional tolerogenic antigen-presenting cells, and sustain the blood-testis barrier formed by their tight junctions. The NOD-like receptor family members and the NALP3 inflammasome play a key role in pro-inflammatory innate immunity signalling pathways. Limited data exist on NOD1 and NOD2 expression in human and mouse Sertoli cells. Currently, there is no data on inflammasome expression or function in Sertoli cells. We found that in primary pre-pubertal Sertoli cells and in adult Sertoli line, TLR4\NOD1 and NOD2 crosstalk converged in NFκB activation and elicited a NALP3 activation, leading to de novo synthesis and inflammasome priming. This led to caspase-1 activation and IL-1β secretion. We demonstrated this process was controlled by mechanisms linked to autophagy. NOD1 promoted pro-IL-1β restriction and autophagosome maturation arrest, while NOD2 promoted caspase-1 activation, IL-1β secretion and autophagy maturation. NALP3 modulated NOD1 and pro-IL-1β expression, while NOD2 inversely promoted IL-1β. This study is proof of concept that Sertoli cells, upon specific stimulation, could participate in male infertility pathogenesis via inflammatory cytokine induction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soren Hayrabedyan
- Institute of Biology and Immunology of Reproduction, Laboratory of Reproductive Omics Technologies, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Krassimira Todorova
- Institute of Biology and Immunology of Reproduction, Laboratory of Reproductive Omics Technologies, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Asma Jabeen
- School of Biological Sciences, Wivenhoe Park, University of Essex, Colchester, UK
| | - Gergana Metodieva
- School of Biological Sciences, Wivenhoe Park, University of Essex, Colchester, UK
| | - Stavri Toshkov
- Cellular and Gene Therapy Ward, National Specialized Haematology Hospital, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Metodi V Metodiev
- School of Biological Sciences, Wivenhoe Park, University of Essex, Colchester, UK
| | - Milcho Mincheff
- Cellular and Gene Therapy Ward, National Specialized Haematology Hospital, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Nelson Fernández
- School of Biological Sciences, Wivenhoe Park, University of Essex, Colchester, UK
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Zhang Z, Wang M, Eisel F, Tchatalbachev S, Chakraborty T, Meinhardt A, Bhushan S. UropathogenicEscherichia coliEpigenetically Manipulate Host Cell Death Pathways. J Infect Dis 2015; 213:1198-207. [DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiv569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2015] [Accepted: 11/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Stammler A, Hau T, Bhushan S, Meinhardt A, Jonigk D, Lippmann T, Pilatz A, Schneider-Hüther I, Middendorff R. Epididymitis: ascending infection restricted by segmental boundaries. Hum Reprod 2015; 30:1557-65. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dev112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2015] [Accepted: 04/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
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Bhushan S, Tchatalbachev S, Lu Y, Fröhlich S, Fijak M, Vijayan V, Chakraborty T, Meinhardt A. Differential activation of inflammatory pathways in testicular macrophages provides a rationale for their subdued inflammatory capacity. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2015; 194:5455-64. [PMID: 25917085 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1401132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2014] [Accepted: 04/01/2015] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Spermatogenic cells express cell-specific molecules with the potential to be seen as "foreign" by the immune system. Owing to the time difference between their appearance in puberty and the editing of the lymphocyte repertoire around birth, local adaptations of the immune system coined immune privilege are required to confer protection from autoattack. Testicular macrophages (TM) play an important role in maintaining testicular immune privilege and display reduced proinflammatory capacity compared with other macrophages. However, the molecular mechanism underlying this macrophage phenotype remained elusive. We demonstrate that TM have a lower constitutive expression of TLR pathway-specific genes compared with peritoneal macrophages. Moreover, in TM stimulated with LPS, the NF-κB signaling pathway is blocked due to lack of IκBα ubiquitination and, hence, degradation. Instead, challenge of TM with LPS or polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid induces MAPK, AP-1, and CREB signaling pathways, which leads to production of proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, although at much lower levels than in peritoneal macrophages. Pretreatment of TM with inhibitors for MAPKs p38 and ERK1/2 suppresses activation of AP-1 and CREB signaling pathways and attenuates LPS-induced TNF-α and IL-10 secretion. High levels of IL-10 production and activation of STAT3 by LPS stimulation in TM indicate a regulatory macrophage phenotype. Our results suggest that TM maintain testicular immune privilege by inhibiting NF-κB signaling through impairment of IκBα ubiquitination and a general reduction of TLR cascade gene expression. However, TM do maintain some capacity for innate immune responses through AP-1 and CREB signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudhanshu Bhushan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; and
| | - Svetlin Tchatalbachev
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Yongning Lu
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; and
| | - Suada Fröhlich
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; and
| | - Monika Fijak
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; and
| | - Vijith Vijayan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; and
| | - Trinad Chakraborty
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Andreas Meinhardt
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; and
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Fijak M, Damm LJ, Wenzel JP, Aslani F, Walecki M, Wahle E, Eisel F, Bhushan S, Hackstein H, Baal N, Schuler G, Konrad L, Rafiq A, O'Hara L, Smith LB, Meinhardt A. Influence of Testosterone on Inflammatory Response in Testicular Cells and Expression of Transcription Factor Foxp3 in T Cells. Am J Reprod Immunol 2015; 74:12-25. [DOI: 10.1111/aji.12363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2014] [Accepted: 01/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Monika Fijak
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology; Justus-Liebig-University; Giessen Germany
| | - Lara-Jil Damm
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology; Justus-Liebig-University; Giessen Germany
| | - Jan-Per Wenzel
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology; Justus-Liebig-University; Giessen Germany
| | - Ferial Aslani
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology; Justus-Liebig-University; Giessen Germany
| | - Magdalena Walecki
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology; Justus-Liebig-University; Giessen Germany
| | - Eva Wahle
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology; Justus-Liebig-University; Giessen Germany
| | - Florian Eisel
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology; Justus-Liebig-University; Giessen Germany
| | - Sudhanshu Bhushan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology; Justus-Liebig-University; Giessen Germany
| | - Holger Hackstein
- Institute for Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine; Justus-Liebig-University; Giessen Germany
| | - Nelli Baal
- Institute for Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine; Justus-Liebig-University; Giessen Germany
| | - Gerhard Schuler
- Clinic for Obstetrics; Gynecology and Andrology of Large and Small Animals; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; Justus-Liebig-University; Giessen Germany
| | - Lutz Konrad
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Faculty of Medicine; Justus-Liebig-University; Giessen Germany
| | - Amir Rafiq
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology; Justus-Liebig-University; Giessen Germany
| | - Laura O'Hara
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health; University of Edinburgh; Edinburgh UK
| | - Lee B. Smith
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health; University of Edinburgh; Edinburgh UK
| | - Andreas Meinhardt
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology; Justus-Liebig-University; Giessen Germany
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Aslani F, Schuppe HC, Guazzone VA, Bhushan S, Wahle E, Lochnit G, Lustig L, Meinhardt A, Fijak M. Targeting high mobility group box protein 1 ameliorates testicular inflammation in experimental autoimmune orchitis. Hum Reprod 2014; 30:417-31. [PMID: 25452436 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deu320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Does high mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) regulate inflammatory reactions in a rat model of experimental autoimmune orchitis (EAO)? SUMMARY ANSWER HMGB1 appears to be involved in regulating inflammatory reactions in testes, as HMGB1 is translocated from testicular cells during the course of EAO and blocking its action by ethyl pyruvate (EP) reduces disease progression and spermatogenic damage. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Despite its immune privileged status, the human testis is prone to inflammatory lesions associated with male factor infertility. Accumulating evidence shows that HMGB1 plays an important role in onset and progression of autoimmune diseases. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This is a cross sectional and longitudinal study involving Wistar male rats immunized with testicular homogenates to induce EAO 50 (EAO50; n = 10) and 80 (EAO80; n = 10) days after first immunization. Control adjuvant animals received saline instead of testicular homogenate (n = 16). Untreated animals (n = 10) were also studied. An interventional study was performed to block the action of HMGB1 starting 20 days after first immunization in EAO animals and respective controls (n = 17). Rats were treated i.p. with EP and the effect of EP treatment on testicular pathogenesis was evaluated 30 days later. Moreover, human testicular biopsies from infertile men with focal lymphocytic infiltrates (n = 7) and sections with intact spermatogenesis (n = 6) were probed with antibodies against HMGB1. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Testicular RNA and protein extracts from EAO animals, EAO animals treated with EP and relevant controls were used for analysis of cytokine expression by real-time RT-PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. HMGB1 was co-localized on rat testicular cross sections with antibodies against testicular macrophages (TM), peritubular cells (PTC) and Sertoli cells (SC). Interaction of HMGB1 and its receptors (RAGE, TLR4) as well signaling pathways after HMGB1 stimulation were studied in isolated TM, PTC and SC by proximity ligation assay and western blot, respectively. Furthermore, HMGB1 immunofluorescence on human testicular biopsies was performed. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE HMGB1 was translocated from the nuclei in EAO testes and testes of infertile men with impaired spermatogenesis and lymphocytic infiltrates. Elevated HMGB1 levels were observed during late phase of EAO. In testicular somatic cells HMGB1 receptors Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) were differentially expressed: HMGB1-TLR4 binding was predominant in TM, while HMGB1-RAGE interaction was prevalent in SC and PTC. In support, HMGB1 triggered extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) response element-binding protein (CREB) activation in SC and PTC, while TM responded to HMGB1 stimulation with p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and p65 nuclear factor Kappa B (NF-ĸB) phosphorylation followed by increased tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) mRNA levels. In vivo treatment of EAO animals with EP 20 days after induction of disease revealed beneficial effects, as documented by reduced disease progression and spermatogenic damage, lower macrophage numbers, as well as decreased concentrations of HMGB1 and IL-6 in the testis compared with EAO controls. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The ability of HMGB1 to bind to a wide range of receptors makes it difficult to prevent its action by blockade of a specific receptor; therefore we applied EP, a drug preventing HMGB1 release from cells. Due to its mode of action EP decreases also the secretion of some other pro-inflammatory cytokines. Using isolated primary cells imposes limitations for cell transfection studies. As a compromise between purity and yield primary cells need to be isolated from animals of different age, which has to be considered when comparing their responses. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS HMGB1 could be a promising target in attenuating testicular damage caused by inflammatory reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferial Aslani
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Hans-Christian Schuppe
- Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Vanesa A Guazzone
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas UBA-CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, C1121 ABG, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Sudhanshu Bhushan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Eva Wahle
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Günter Lochnit
- Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Justus-Liebig University of Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Livia Lustig
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas UBA-CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, C1121 ABG, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Andreas Meinhardt
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Monika Fijak
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
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Dottermusch-Heidel C, Klaus ES, Gonzalez NH, Bhushan S, Meinhardt A, Bergmann M, Renkawitz-Pohl R, Rathke C, Steger K. H3K79 methylation directly precedes the histone-to-protamine transition in mammalian spermatids and is sensitive to bacterial infections. Andrology 2014; 2:655-65. [PMID: 25079683 DOI: 10.1111/j.2047-2927.2014.00248.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2014] [Accepted: 06/24/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
In both mammalian and Drosophila spermatids, the completely histone-based chromatin structure is reorganized to a largely protamine-based structure. During this histone-to-protamine switch, transition proteins are expressed, for example TNP1 and TNP2 in mammals and Tpl94D in Drosophila. Recently, we demonstrated that in Drosophila spermatids, H3K79 methylation accompanies histone H4 hyperacetylation during chromatin reorganization. Preceding the histone-to-protamine transition, the H3K79 methyltransferase Grappa is expressed, and the predominant isoform bears a C-terminal extension. Here, we show that isoforms of the Grappa-equivalent protein in humans, rats and mice, that is DOT1L, have a C-terminal extension. In mice, the transcript of this isoform was enriched in the post-meiotic stages of spermatogenesis. In human and mice spermatids, di- and tri-methylated H3K79 temporally overlapped with hyperacetylated H4 and thus accompanied chromatin reorganization. In rat spermatids, trimethylated H3K79 directly preceded transition protein loading on chromatin. We analysed the impact of bacterial infections on spermatid chromatin using a uropathogenic Escherichia coli-elicited epididymo-orchitis rat model and showed that these infections caused aberrant spermatid chromatin. Bacterial infections led to premature emergence of trimethylated H3K79 and hyperacetylated H4. Trimethylated H3K79 and hyperacetylated H4 simultaneously occurred with transition protein TNP1, which was never observed in spermatids of mock-infected rats. Upon bacterial infection, only histone-based spermatid chromatin showed abnormalities, whereas protamine-compacted chromatin seemed to be unaffected. Our results indicated that H3K79 methylation is a histone modification conserved in Drosophila, mouse, rat and human spermatids and may be a prerequisite for proper chromatin reorganization.
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Zhao S, Zhu W, Xue S, Han D. Testicular defense systems: immune privilege and innate immunity. Cell Mol Immunol 2014; 11:428-37. [PMID: 24954222 DOI: 10.1038/cmi.2014.38] [Citation(s) in RCA: 200] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2014] [Revised: 05/03/2014] [Accepted: 05/04/2014] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The mammalian testis possesses a special immunological environment because of its properties of remarkable immune privilege and effective local innate immunity. Testicular immune privilege protects immunogenic germ cells from systemic immune attack, and local innate immunity is important in preventing testicular microbial infections. The breakdown of local testicular immune homeostasis may lead to orchitis, an etiological factor of male infertility. The mechanisms underlying testicular immune privilege have been investigated for a long time. Increasing evidence shows that both a local immunosuppressive milieu and systemic immune tolerance are involved in maintaining testicular immune privilege status. The mechanisms underlying testicular innate immunity are emerging based on the investigation of the pattern recognition receptor-mediated innate immune response in testicular cells. This review summarizes our current understanding of testicular defense mechanisms and identifies topics that merit further investigation.
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Chakraborty S, Gang S, Sengupta M. Functional status of testicular macrophages in an immunopriviledged niche in cadmium intoxicated murine testes. Am J Reprod Immunol 2014; 72:14-21. [PMID: 24629031 DOI: 10.1111/aji.12224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2013] [Accepted: 02/04/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM The present study investigates the extent of immunomodulatory effects associated with semenological alterations in the testes, after exposure to cadmium (in vivo) in male Swiss albino mice. Despite residing in an immunopriviledged site, testicular macrophages have immunogenic functions. METHODS OF STUDY Experimental animals were divided into two groups: (i) control (isotonic saline) and (ii) treated (0.35 mg/kg b.w of cadmium chloride) intraperitoneally for 15 days. Murine testicular macrophages were isolated and the cell function studies such as morphological alteration and tumor-necrosis factor (TNF-α) release assay were performed. Among the semenological parameters, sperm count, sperm motility, sperm morphology and the testosterone levels in the epididymal semen samples from both groups were determined. RESULTS The present work shows that cadmium is responsible for a significant alteration, degenerative changes and reduced cell function in testicular macrophages probably by increasing oxidative damage. Such oxidative stress also causes a parallel dysfunction of the semenological parameters. CONCLUSION TNF-α which is probably unable to bind with the surface receptor in testicular macrophages as because of altered structural morphology with reduction of cell function, render the animals more prone to infection and ultimately causes subfertility.
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Chen Q, Zhu W, Liu Z, Yan K, Zhao S, Han D. Toll-like receptor 11-initiated innate immune response in male mouse germ cells. Biol Reprod 2014; 90:38. [PMID: 24403550 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.113.114421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii and uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) may infect the testis and impair testicular function. Mechanisms underlying testicular innate immune response to these two pathogens remain to be clarified. The present study examined the function of TLR11, which can be recognized by T. gondii-derived profilin and UPEC, in initiating innate immune response in male mouse germ cells. TLR11 is predominantly expressed in spermatids. Profilin and UPEC induced the expressions of different inflammatory cytokine profiles in the germ cells. In particular, profilin induced the expressions of macrophage chemotactic protein 1 (MCP1), interleukin 12 (IL12), and interferon gamma (IFNG) through nuclear factor KB (NFKB) activation. UPEC induced the expressions of MCP1, IL12, and IFNG, as well as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFA), IL6, and IFNB, through the activation of NFKB, IFN regulatory factor 3, and mitogen-activated protein kinases. Evidence showed that profilin induced the innate response in male germ cells through TLR11 signaling, and UPEC triggered the response through TLR11 and other TLR-signaling pathways. We also provided evidence that local injection of profilin or UPEC induces the innate immune response in the germ cells. Data describe TLR11-mediated innate immune function of male germ cells in response to T. gondii profilin and UPEC stimulations. This system may play a role in testicular defense against T. gondii and UPEC infections in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaoyuan Chen
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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Lipopolysaccharide inhibits the self-renewal of spermatogonial stem cells in vitro via downregulation of GDNF expression in Sertoli cells. Reprod Toxicol 2014; 45:87-93. [PMID: 24503145 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2014.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2013] [Revised: 01/15/2014] [Accepted: 01/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can reduce sperm count and sperm quality. The molecular mechanisms underlying this process are not fully understood. In this report, we investigated the effects of LPS-treated Sertoli cells on self-renewal and differentiation of spermatogoinial stem cells (SSCs). Sertoli cell cultures were established and incubated with LPS (10μg/ml) for 1, 2 or 3 days, respectively. The culture media were collected and used as conditioned media (CM) to culture SSCs. The expression of glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), stem cell factor (SCF) and bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) in Sertoli cells treated with LPS was analyzed by RT-PCR and Western blotting. The results showed that the expression of SSC differentiation markers, c-kit and Sohlh2, was increased, while the expression of SSC self-renewal markers, plzf, oct4, and PCNA, was repressed when cultured in CM from LPS-treated Sertoli cells. GDNF levels in Sertoli cells and CM reduced dramatically after LPS treatments, while SCF and BMP4 levels did not show any significant changes. Moreover, correlated with the GDNF levels in CM, GDNF target genes, Bcl6b and Etv5, were reduced markedly in SSCs. Our results suggest that LPS inhibits the expression of GDNF in Sertoli cells, and might prevent the SSC self-renewal via down-regulation of GDNF target genes.
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