1
|
Bahmyari S, Khatami SH, Taghvimi S, Rezaei Arablouydareh S, Taheri-Anganeh M, Ghasemnejad-Berenji H, Farazmand T, Soltani Fard E, Solati A, Movahedpour A, Ghasemi H. MicroRNAs in Male Fertility. DNA Cell Biol 2024; 43:108-124. [PMID: 38394131 DOI: 10.1089/dna.2023.0314] [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: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Around 50% of all occurrences of infertility are attributable to the male factor, which is a significant global public health concern. There are numerous circumstances that might interfere with spermatogenesis and cause the body to produce abnormal sperm. While evaluating sperm, the count, the speed at which they migrate, and their appearance are the three primary characteristics that are analyzed. MicroRNAs, also known as miRNAs, are present in all physiological fluids and tissues. They participate in both physiological and pathological processes. Researches have demonstrated that the expression of microRNA genes differs in infertile men. These genes regulate spermatogenesis at various stages and in several male reproductive cells. Hence, microRNAs have the potential to act as useful indicators in the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility and other diseases affecting male reproduction. Despite this, additional research is necessary to determine the precise miRNA regulation mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sedigheh Bahmyari
- Department of Reproductive Biology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Seyyed Hossein Khatami
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sina Taghvimi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Sahar Rezaei Arablouydareh
- Reproductive Health Research Center, Clinical Research Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Mortaza Taheri-Anganeh
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Research Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Hojat Ghasemnejad-Berenji
- Reproductive Health Research Center, Clinical Research Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Tooba Farazmand
- Departmant of Gynecology, School of Medicine, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran
| | - Elahe Soltani Fard
- Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Advanced Technologies, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Arezoo Solati
- Department of Reproductive Biology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Lv MQ, Yang YQ, Li YX, Zhou L, Ge P, Sun RF, Zhang J, Gao JC, Qu LQ, Jing QY, Li PC, Yan YJ, Wang HX, Li HC, Zhou DX. A detection model of testis-derived circular RNAs in serum for predicting testicular sperm retrieval rate in non-obstructive azoospermia patients. Andrology 2024. [PMID: 38421140 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microdissection testicular sperm extraction is an effective method to retrieve sperm from non-obstructive azoospermia patients. However, its successful rate is less than 50%. OBJECTIVES To identify the predictive value of circular RNAs in serum for sperm retrieval rate in non-obstructive azoospermia patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS 180 non-obstructive azoospermia patients were recruited in this study, including 84 individuals with successful sperm retrieval and 96 individuals with failed sperm retrieval. Our study contained two phases. First, 20 patients, selected from the 180 patients, were included in screening cohort. In this cohort, the top 20 circular RNAs from our previous testicular circRNA profiles were verified between successful and failed sperm retrieval groups using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Six circular RNAs with the most significantly different expressions were selected for further verification. Second, the 180 patients were included as discovery cohort to verify the six circular RNAs. Circular RNAs were extracted from serum in each participant. Logistic regression analysis was further performed to identify the predictive value and the area under the curve analysis was used to evaluate diagnostic efficiency, sensitivity, and specificity. RESULTS Six circular RNAs including hsa_circ_0058058, hsa_circ_0008045, hsa_circ_0084789, hsa_circ_0000550, hsa_circ_0007422, and hsa_circ_0004099 showed aberrant expressions between the successful and failed sperm retrieval group. In addition, both single-circular RNA panels and multi-circular RNA panels were finally verified to be significant in predicting sperm retrieval rate. Notably, multi-circular RNAs panels demonstrated better predictive abilities compared with single-circRNA panels, and the combined panel of six-circular RNAs (risk score = 1.094×hsa_circ_0058058+0.697×hsa_circ_0008045+0.718×hsa_circ_0084789-0.591×hsa_circ_0000550-0.435×hsa_circ_0007422-1.017×hsa_circ_0004099-1.561) exhibited the best predictive ability in the present study with an AUC of 0.977, a sensitivity of 91.7% and a specificity of 86.5%. A higher risk score indicated a higher risk of failure in sperm retrieval. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Our study was the first to report that testis-derived circular RNAs in serum have the ability to predict sperm retrieval rate in non-obstructive azoospermia patients, whether it is a single-circular RNA or a combination of multi-circular RNAs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mo-Qi Lv
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
- Institute of Genetics and Development, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, China
| | - Yan-Qi Yang
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
- Institute of Genetics and Development, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, China
| | - Yi-Xin Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Liang Zhou
- Assisted Reproduction Center, Northwest Women's and Children's Hospital, Xi'an, China
- Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Pan Ge
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
- Institute of Genetics and Development, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, China
| | - Rui-Fang Sun
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
- Institute of Genetics and Development, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
- Institute of Genetics and Development, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, China
| | - Jun-Cheng Gao
- School of Humanities and Social Development, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China
| | - Liu-Qing Qu
- Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Qi-Ya Jing
- Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Pin-Cheng Li
- Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yu-Jia Yan
- Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Hai-Xu Wang
- Assisted Reproduction Center, Xijing Hospital of Air Force Medical University (the former the Fourth Military Medical University), Xi'an, China
| | - He-Cheng Li
- Department of Urology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Dang-Xia Zhou
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
- Institute of Genetics and Development, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Shi Z, Yu M, Guo T, Sui Y, Tian Z, Ni X, Chen X, Jiang M, Jiang J, Lu Y, Lin M. MicroRNAs in spermatogenesis dysfunction and male infertility: clinical phenotypes, mechanisms and potential diagnostic biomarkers. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1293368. [PMID: 38449855 PMCID: PMC10916303 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1293368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Infertility affects approximately 10-15% of couples worldwide who are attempting to conceive, with male infertility accounting for 50% of infertility cases. Male infertility is related to various factors such as hormone imbalance, urogenital diseases, environmental factors, and genetic factors. Owing to its relationship with genetic factors, male infertility cannot be diagnosed through routine examination in most cases, and is clinically called 'idiopathic male infertility.' Recent studies have provided evidence that microRNAs (miRNAs) are expressed in a cell-or stage-specific manner during spermatogenesis. This review focuses on the role of miRNAs in male infertility and spermatogenesis. Data were collected from published studies that investigated the effects of miRNAs on spermatogenesis, sperm quality and quantity, fertilization, embryo development, and assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes. Based on the findings of these studies, we summarize the targets of miRNAs and the resulting functional effects that occur due to changes in miRNA expression at various stages of spermatogenesis, including undifferentiated and differentiating spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids, and Sertoli cells (SCs). In addition, we discuss potential markers for diagnosing male infertility and predicting the varicocele grade, surgical outcomes, ART outcomes, and sperm retrieval rates in patients with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ziyan Shi
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Medical Genetics & Liaoning Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Liaoning Research Institute of Family Planning, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Miao Yu
- Science Experiment Center, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Tingchao Guo
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Medical Genetics & Liaoning Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Liaoning Research Institute of Family Planning, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yu Sui
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Medical Genetics & Liaoning Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Liaoning Research Institute of Family Planning, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhiying Tian
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Medical Genetics & Liaoning Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Liaoning Research Institute of Family Planning, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiang Ni
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Medical Genetics & Liaoning Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Liaoning Research Institute of Family Planning, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xinren Chen
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Medical Genetics & Liaoning Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Liaoning Research Institute of Family Planning, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Miao Jiang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Medical Genetics & Liaoning Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Liaoning Research Institute of Family Planning, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jingyi Jiang
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yongping Lu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Medical Genetics & Liaoning Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Liaoning Research Institute of Family Planning, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Meina Lin
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Medical Genetics & Liaoning Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Liaoning Research Institute of Family Planning, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
de Souza LP, Domingues WB, Blödorn EB, da Silva Nunes L, Ortiz HG, Komninou ER, Campos VF. Expression of sperm microRNAs related to bull fertility: A systematic review. Res Vet Sci 2024; 166:105077. [PMID: 37948882 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2023.105077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
In this study we proposed to address the following question: "Are there differentially expressed sperm microRNAs related to fertility in bulls?". A systematic review of scientific literature until November 2022 was performed, in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. The main outcome was differentially expressed sperm microRNA from bulls with low versus high fertility profiles identified by using different methods such as field fertility evaluation and sperm laboratory analysis. Were identified 786 documents, of which 13 were selected for qualitative analysis. A total of 182 unique differentially expressed miRNAs were identified, among these, 49 miRNAs were found in common between at least two studies. It is believed that from these 49 miRNAs, it is possible that miRNAs such as miR-10a, -10b, -103, -15b, -122, -125b, -126-5p, -151-5p, -193a-5p, -196a, -27a-5p and -99b could be potential universal biomarkers to assess the reproductive potential of males.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Petitemberte de Souza
- Laboratório de Genômica Estrutural, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - William Borges Domingues
- Laboratório de Genômica Estrutural, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Bierhals Blödorn
- Laboratório de Genômica Estrutural, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Leandro da Silva Nunes
- Laboratório de Genômica Estrutural, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Hadassa Gabriela Ortiz
- Laboratório de Genômica Estrutural, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | | | - Vinicius Farias Campos
- Laboratório de Genômica Estrutural, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Klees C, Alexandri C, Demeestere I, Lybaert P. The Role of microRNA in Spermatogenesis: Is There a Place for Fertility Preservation Innovation? Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:460. [PMID: 38203631 PMCID: PMC10778981 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010460] [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: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 12/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Oncological treatments have dramatically improved over the last decade, and as a result, survival rates for cancer patients have also improved. Quality of life, including concerns about fertility, has become a major focus for both oncologists and patients. While oncologic treatments are often highly effective at suppressing neoplastic growth, they are frequently associated with severe gonadotoxicity, leading to infertility. For male patients, the therapeutic option to preserve fertility is semen cryopreservation. In prepubertal patients, immature testicular tissue can be sampled and stored to allow post-cure transplantation of the tissue, immature germ cells, or in vitro spermatogenesis. However, experimental techniques have not yet been proven effective for restoring sperm production for these patients. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as promising molecular markers and therapeutic tools in various diseases. These small regulatory RNAs possess the unique characteristic of having multiple gene targets. MiRNA-based therapeutics can, therefore, be used to modulate the expression of different genes involved in signaling pathways dysregulated by changes in the physiological environment (disease, temperature, ex vivo culture, pharmacological agents). This review discusses the possible role of miRNA as an innovative treatment option in male fertility preservation-restoration strategies and describes the diverse applications where these new therapeutic tools could serve as fertility protection agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Klees
- Research Laboratory on Human Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1070 Brussels, Belgium; (C.K.); (C.A.); (I.D.)
| | - Chrysanthi Alexandri
- Research Laboratory on Human Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1070 Brussels, Belgium; (C.K.); (C.A.); (I.D.)
| | - Isabelle Demeestere
- Research Laboratory on Human Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1070 Brussels, Belgium; (C.K.); (C.A.); (I.D.)
- Fertility Clinic, HUB-Erasme Hospital, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Pascale Lybaert
- Research Laboratory on Human Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1070 Brussels, Belgium; (C.K.); (C.A.); (I.D.)
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Maleki B, Modarres P, Salehi P, Vallian S. Identification of ITPR1 gene as a novel target for hsa-miR-34b-5p in non-obstructive azoospermia: a Ca 2+/apoptosis pathway cross-talk. Sci Rep 2023; 13:21873. [PMID: 38072953 PMCID: PMC10710998 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49155-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
MiR-34b-5p has been reported as a non-invasive diagnostic biomarker for infertility. However, no gene targets regulating the mechanism of cation of this miRNA are known. In this study, using gene set enrichment analysis the Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptor Type 1 (ITPR1) gene was identified as the sole target for hsa-miR-34b-5p, and found significantly overexpressed in non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) patients. This finding was confirmed by qRT-PCR on fresh testicular tissues from NOA patients. Then, pathway enrichment analysis as well as the diagnostic value analysis of hsa-miR-34b-5p/ITPR1 indicated ITPR1 as a hub gene in the calcium (Ca2+)-apoptosis pathway, and a valuable predictive biomarker for NOA. Moreover, gene expression and histological assays showed the association of the effects of ITPR1's increased expression on spermatogenesis failure through induction of apoptosis in NOA patients. These data suggested that the hsa-miR-34b-5p/ITPR1 axis could serve as a potential regulatory predictive biomarker for human spermatogenesis through the Ca2+-apoptosis pathway cross-talk.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bahareh Maleki
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Parastoo Modarres
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Peyman Salehi
- Department of Infertility, Milad Hospital, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Sadeq Vallian
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Islamic Republic of Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Lu L, Abbott AL. Male gonad-enriched microRNAs function to control sperm production in C. elegans. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.10.561762. [PMID: 37873419 PMCID: PMC10592766 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.10.561762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Germ cell development and gamete production in animals require small RNA pathways. While studies indicate that microRNAs (miRNAs) are necessary for normal sperm production and function, the specific roles for individual miRNAs are largely unknown. Here, we use small RNA sequencing of dissected gonads and functional analysis of new loss of function alleles to identify functions for miRNAs in the control of fecundity and sperm production in Caenorhabditis elegans males and hermaphrodites. We describe a set of 29 male gonad-enriched miRNAs and identify a set of 3 individual miRNAs (mir-58.1, mir-83, and mir-235) and a miRNA cluster (mir-4807-4810.1) that are required for optimal sperm production at 20°C and 5 additional miRNAs (mir-49, mir-57, mir-261, and mir-357/358) that are required for sperm production at 25°C. We observed defects in meiotic progression in mir-58.1, mir-83, mir-235, and mir-4807-4810.1 mutants that may contribute to the reduced number of sperm. Further, analysis of multiple mutants of these miRNAs suggested complex genetic interactions between these miRNAs for sperm production. This study provides insights on the regulatory roles of miRNAs that promote optimal sperm production and fecundity in males and hermaphrodites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lu Lu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, 53201 USA
| | - Allison L. Abbott
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, 53201 USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Sakr OG, Gad A, Cañón-Beltrán K, Cajas YN, Prochazka R, Rizos D, Rebollar PG. Characterization and identification of extracellular vesicles-coupled miRNA profiles in seminal plasma of fertile and subfertile rabbit bucks. Theriogenology 2023; 209:76-88. [PMID: 37364341 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Seminal plasma (SP) provides essential nutrients, transport, and protection to the spermatozoa during their journey through the male and female reproductive tracts. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are one of the main components of the SP with several biomolecular cargoes, including miRNAs, that can influence spermatozoa functions and interact with the cells of the female reproductive tract. This study aimed to isolate, characterize, and identify the miRNA expression profiles in the SP-EVs isolated from fertile (F) and subfertile (S) rabbit bucks that could serve as fertility biomarkers. In this study, the methods to isolate and identify EVs including exosomes, from SP of 3 F and S bucks have been developed. Ultracentrifugation and size exclusion chromatography analysis were using to isolate EVs from SP of F and S males that were qualitative and quantitively characterised using transmission electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis and western blotting. In addition, total RNA, including miRNA, was isolated, sequenced and identified from SP-EVs samples. Different SP-EVs concentrations (8.53 × 1011 ± 1.04 × 1011 and 1.84 × 1012 ± 1.75 × 1011 particles/mL of SP; P = 0.008), with a similar average size (143.9 ± 11.9 and 115.5 ± 2.4 nm; P = 0.7422) in F and S males, respectively was observed. Particle size was not significantly correlated with any kinetic parameter. The concentration of SP-EVs was positively correlated with the percentage of abnormal forms (r = 0.94; P < 0.05) and with the percentage of immotile spermatozoa (r = 0.88; P < 0.05). Small-RNA-seq analysis identified a total of 267 and 244 expressed miRNAs in the F and S groups, respectively. Two miRNAs (let-7b-5p and let-7a-5p) were the top most abundant miRNAs in both groups. Differential expression analysis revealed that 9 miRNAs including miR-190b-5p, miR-193b-5p, let-7b-3p, and miR-378-3p, and another 9 miRNAs including miR-7a-5p, miR-33a-5p, miR-449a-5p, and miR-146a-5p were significantly up- and downregulated in the F compared to the S group, respectively. The SP from F and S rabbit males contains EVs with different miRNA cargo correlated with spermatogenesis, homeostasis, and infertility, which could be used as biomarkers for male fertility and potential therapies for assisted reproductive technologies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Osama G Sakr
- Dept. Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, 12613, Giza, Egypt; Dept. Agrarian Production, Technical University of Madrid, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ahmed Gad
- Dept. Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, 12613, Giza, Egypt; Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, 27721, Liběchov, Czech Republic
| | - Karina Cañón-Beltrán
- Dept. Animal Reproduction, National Institute for Agriculture and Food, Research and Technology (INIA-CSIC), 28040, Madrid, Spain; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Veterinary Faculty, Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Yulia N Cajas
- Dept. Animal Reproduction, National Institute for Agriculture and Food, Research and Technology (INIA-CSIC), 28040, Madrid, Spain; Dept. de Ciencias de la Vida y la Agricultura, Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas (ESPE), Sede, Santo Domingo, 171-5-231, Ecuador
| | - Radek Prochazka
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, 27721, Liběchov, Czech Republic
| | - Dimitrios Rizos
- Dept. Animal Reproduction, National Institute for Agriculture and Food, Research and Technology (INIA-CSIC), 28040, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Pilar G Rebollar
- Dept. Agrarian Production, Technical University of Madrid, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Wagner AO, Turk A, Kunej T. Towards a Multi-Omics of Male Infertility. World J Mens Health 2023; 41:272-288. [PMID: 36649926 PMCID: PMC10042660 DOI: 10.5534/wjmh.220186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Infertility is a common problem affecting one in six couples and in 30% of infertile couples, the male factor is a major cause. A large number of genes are involved in spermatogenesis and a significant proportion of male infertility phenotypes are of genetic origin. Studies on infertility have so far primarily focused on chromosomal abnormalities and sequence variants in protein-coding genes and have identified a large number of disease-associated genes. However, it has been shown that a multitude of factors across various omics levels also contribute to infertility phenotypes. The complexity of male infertility has led to the understanding that an integrated, multi-omics analysis may be optimal for unravelling this disease. While there is a vast array of different factors across omics levels associated with infertility, the present review focuses on known factors from the genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, glycomics, lipidomics, miRNomics, and integrated omics levels. These include: repeat expansions in AR, POLG, ATXN1, DMPK, and SHBG, multiple SNPs, copy number variants in the AZF region, disregulated miRNAs, altered H3K9 methylation, differential MTHFR, MEG3, PEG1, and LIT1 methylation, altered protamine ratios and protein hypo/hyperphosphorylation. This integrative review presents a step towards a multi-omics approach to understanding the complex etiology of male infertility. Currently only a few genetic factors, namely chromosomal abnormalities and Y chromosome microdeletions, are routinely tested in infertile men undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection. A multi-omics approach to understanding infertility phenotypes may yield a more holistic view of the disease and contribute to the development of improved screening methods and treatment options. Therefore, beside discovering as of yet unknown genetic causes of infertility, integrating multiple fields of study could yield valuable contributions to the understanding of disease development. Future multi-omics studies will enable to synthesise fragmented information and facilitate biomarker discovery and treatments in male infertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Ogrinc Wagner
- Department of Animal Science, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Domžale, Slovenia
| | - Aleksander Turk
- Department of Animal Science, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Domžale, Slovenia
| | - Tanja Kunej
- Department of Animal Science, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Domžale, Slovenia.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Zhang J, Campion S, Catlin N, Reagan WJ, Palyada K, Ramaiah SK, Ramanathan R. Circulating microRNAs as promising testicular translatable safety biomarkers: current state and future perspectives. Arch Toxicol 2023; 97:947-961. [PMID: 36795116 PMCID: PMC9933818 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-023-03460-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
Drug-induced testicular injury (DITI) is one of the often-observed and challenging safety issues seen during drug development. Semen analysis and circulating hormones currently utilized have significant gaps in their ability to detect testicular damage accurately. In addition, no biomarkers enable a mechanistic understanding of the damage to the different regions of the testis, such as seminiferous tubules, Sertoli, and Leydig cells. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of non-coding RNAs that modulate gene expression post-transcriptionally and have been indicated to regulate a wide range of biological pathways. Circulating miRNAs can be measured in the body fluids due to tissue-specific cell injury/damage or toxicant exposure. Therefore, these circulating miRNAs have become attractive and promising non-invasive biomarkers for assessing drug-induced testicular injury, with several reports on their use as safety biomarkers for monitoring testicular damage in preclinical species. Leveraging emerging tools such as 'organs-on-chips' that can emulate the human organ's physiological environment and function is starting to enable biomarker discovery, validation, and clinical translation for regulatory qualification and implementation in drug development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiangwei Zhang
- Drug Safety Research & Development, Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development & Medical, 10777 Science Center Dr, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Sarah Campion
- Drug Safety Research & Development, Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development & Medical, 445 Eastern Point Rd., Groton, CT, USA
| | - Natasha Catlin
- Drug Safety Research & Development, Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development & Medical, 445 Eastern Point Rd., Groton, CT, USA
| | - William J Reagan
- Drug Safety Research & Development, Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development & Medical, 445 Eastern Point Rd., Groton, CT, USA
| | - Kiran Palyada
- Drug Safety Research & Development, Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development & Medical, 10777 Science Center Dr, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Shashi K Ramaiah
- Drug Safety Research & Development, Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development & Medical, 1 Portland St., Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Ragu Ramanathan
- Drug Safety Research & Development, Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development & Medical, 445 Eastern Point Rd., Groton, CT, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Bai X, Zheng L, Xu Y, Liang Y, Li D. Role of microRNA-34b-5p in cancer and injury: how does it work? Cancer Cell Int 2022; 22:381. [PMID: 36457043 PMCID: PMC9713203 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-022-02797-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) are a class of noncoding single-stranded RNAs that can regulate gene expression by binding to the untranslated sequences at the 3 ' end of messenger RNAs. The microRNA-34 family is dysregulated in various human diseases. It is considered as a tumor-suppressive microRNA because of its synergistic effect with the well-known tumor suppressor p53. As a member of the miRNA-34 family, miR-34b-5p serves as a powerful regulator of a suite of cellular activities, including cell growth, multiplication, development, differentiation, and apoptosis. It promotes or represses disease occurrence and progression by participating in some important signaling pathways. This review aimed to provide an overview and update on the differential expression and function of miR-34b-5p in pathophysiologic processes, especially cancer and injury. Additionally, miR-34b-5p-mediated clinical trials have indicated promising consequences for the therapies of carcinomatosis and injury. With the application of the first tumor-targeted microRNA drug based on miR-34a mimics, it can be inferred that miR-34b-5p may become a crucial factor in the therapy of various diseases. However, further studies on miR-34b-5p should shed light on its involvement in disease pathogenesis and treatment options.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuechun Bai
- grid.452829.00000000417660726The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin China
| | - Lianwen Zheng
- grid.452829.00000000417660726The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin China
| | - Ying Xu
- grid.452829.00000000417660726The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin China
| | - Yan Liang
- grid.452829.00000000417660726The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin China
| | - Dandan Li
- grid.452829.00000000417660726The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin China
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Gong J, Wang P, Liu JC, Li J, Zeng QX, Yang C, Li Y, Yu D, Cao D, Duan YG. Integrative Analysis of Small RNA and mRNA Expression Profiles Identifies Signatures Associated With Chronic Epididymitis. Front Immunol 2022; 13:883803. [PMID: 35634321 PMCID: PMC9130659 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.883803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic epididymitis (CE) refers to a long-lasting inflammatory condition of the epididymis, which is considered the most common site of intrascrotal inflammation and an important aetiological factor of male infertility. Recent studies demonstrate that small RNAs secreted from epididymal epithelium modulate embryo development and offspring phenotypes via sperm transmission, and the resulting modifications may lead to transgenerational inheritance. However, to date, the genome-wide analysis of small RNA together with the transcriptomic expression profiles of human epididymis and CE is still lacking. In this study, we facilitated next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics to comprehensively analyze the small RNA and mRNA in an integrative way and identified signatures associated with CE. Both of the small RNA and mRNA expression data demonstrated relatively larger molecular differences among the segmental region of the epididymides, including caput, corpus, and cauda, than that of the inflammatory conditions. By comparing the inflamed caputs to the controls, a total of 1727 genes (1220 upregulated and 507 downregulated; 42 most significant genes, adjusted P <0.05) and 34 miRNAs (23 upregulated and 11 downregulated) were identified as differentially expressed. In silico functional enrichment analysis showed their roles in regulating different biological activities, including leukocyte chemotaxis, extracellular milieu reconstruction, ion channel and transporter-related processes, and nervous system development. Integrative analysis of miRNA and mRNA identified a regulatory network consisting of 22 miRNAs and 31 genes (miRNA-mRNA) which are strong candidates for CE. In addition, analysis about other species of small RNA, including (miRNA), piwi-interacting RNA (piRNA), tRNA-derived small RNA (tsRNA), Y RNA, and rsRNA identified the distinct expression pattern of tsRNA in CE. In summary, our study performed small RNA and miRNA profiling and integrative analysis in human CE. The findings will help to understand the role of miRNA-mRNA in the pathogenesis of CE and provide molecular candidates for the development of potential biomarkers for human CE.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jialei Gong
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, The University of Hong Kong - Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.,The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia
| | - Peng Wang
- Department of Urology, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jin-Chuan Liu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, The University of Hong Kong - Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jianlin Li
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, The University of Hong Kong - Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Qun-Xiong Zeng
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, The University of Hong Kong - Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chen Yang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, The University of Hong Kong - Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yanfeng Li
- Department of Urology, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Di Yu
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia
| | - Dandan Cao
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, The University of Hong Kong - Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yong-Gang Duan
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, The University of Hong Kong - Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Tang D, Li K, Lv M, Xu C, Geng H, Wang C, Cheng H, He X, Zhang Y, Cao Y. Altered mRNAs Profiles in the Testis of Patients With "Secondary Idiopathic Non-Obstructive Azoospermia". Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:824596. [PMID: 35646930 PMCID: PMC9133692 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.824596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) is the most severe form of male infertility. Currently, known causative factors, including congenital and several acquired causes only account for approximately 30% of NOA cases. The causes for NOA remain unclear for most patients, which is known as idiopathic (iNOA). However, whether iNOA is due to congenital defects or acquired abnormalities is a confusing problem due to the delayed diagnosis of this frustrating condition until the childbearing age. Therefore, we collected several cases with "secondary idiopathic NOA" and detected the altered mRNAs profiles in the testicular tissues to explore the possible molecular basis. Materials and Methods: In this study, several patients with a previous history of natural pregnancy with their partners before, who were diagnosed as iNOA based on the outcomes of routine semen analysis and multiple testis biopsies now, were enrolled. Some known risk factors and genetic factors were excluded. Therefore, we defined this phenotype as "secondary idiopathic NOA." To explore the possible molecular basis of this disease, we performed mRNA expression analysis through next-generation sequencing on three cases and other three patients with obstructive azoospermia as controls. Bioinformatics analyses were conducted to assess differentially expressed genes and possible biological mechanisms involved in the disease. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assays were applied to confirm the results in several selected mRNAs involved in stages and metabolism of Sertoli cells. Results: A series of mRNAs were found to be altered in testicular tissues between patients with "secondary idiopathic NOA" and controls, including 6,028 downregulated and 3,402 upregulated mRNAs. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome (KEGG) analyses revealed a range of GO and KEGG terms, such as cellular process involved in reproduction, protein degradation, and absorption. Conclusion: The present study introduces a novel classification called "secondary idiopathic NOA." We provide a global view of the altered mRNAs involved in spermatogenetic failure in these cases. Regarding the limited samples, further studies should be taken to understand this new classification.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dongdong Tang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Hefei, China
| | - Kuokuo Li
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Hefei, China
| | - Mingrong Lv
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Hefei, China
| | - Chuan Xu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Hao Geng
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Chao Wang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Huiru Cheng
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Hefei, China
| | - Xiaojin He
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Hefei, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, WuHan, China
| | - Yunxia Cao
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Hefei, China
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Joshi M, Andrabi SW, Singh V, Bansal SK, Makker GC, Mishra G, Gupta G, Rajender S. Coding and regulatory transcriptome comparisons between fertile and infertile spermatozoa identify RNA signatures of male infertility. Andrologia 2022; 54:e14437. [PMID: 35437806 DOI: 10.1111/and.14437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to identify RNA-based signatures of male infertility by sperm transcriptome analysis. In this study, deep sequencing analyses of coding (mRNA) and regulatory (miRNA) transcriptomes were performed by pooling 15 oligo/oligoasthenozoospermic infertile sperm and 9 normozoospermic fertile sperm samples. Furthermore, interesting candidates were selected for validation by real-time PCR. The comparison of miRNAs between cases and controls identified 94 differentially expressed miRNAs, of which at least 38 have known functions in spermatogenesis. In transcriptome (mRNA) data, a total of 60,505 transcripts were obtained. The comparison of coding RNAs between cases and controls revealed 11,688 differentially expressed genes. miRNA-mRNA paired analysis revealed that 94 differentially expressed miRNAs could potentially target 13,573 genes, of which 6419 transcripts were actually differentially expressed in our data. Out of these, 3303 transcripts showed inverse correlation with their corresponding regulatory miRNAs. Moreover, we found that most of the genes of miRNA-mRNA pairs were involved in male germ cell differentiation, apoptosis, meiosis, spermiogenesis and male infertility. In conclusion, we found that a number of sperm transcripts (miRNAs and mRNAs) have a very high potential of serving as infertility/sperm quality markers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meghali Joshi
- Division of Endocrinology, Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
| | - Syed Waseem Andrabi
- Department of Zoology, Lucknow University, Lucknow, India.,Makker Infertility Clinic, Lucknow, India
| | - Vertika Singh
- Division of Endocrinology, Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
| | | | | | | | - Gopal Gupta
- Division of Endocrinology, Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India.,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
| | - Singh Rajender
- Division of Endocrinology, Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India.,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Asadpour R, Mofidi Chelan E. Using microRNAs as molecular biomarkers for the evaluation of male infertility. Andrologia 2021; 54:e14298. [PMID: 34738652 DOI: 10.1111/and.14298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2021] [Revised: 09/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Infertility is a multiplex disorder in the reproductive system, and men are responsible for more than half of the cases. Nowadays, semen analysis has been considered the critical assessment test to diagnose infertile men; however, it has limitations so that the cause behind infertility in 40% of infertile men is unrevealed. Weaknesses of semen assessment indicate a global need for novel and better diagnostic tools and biomarkers. MicroRNAs are short (about 18-22 nucleotide length) non-coding RNAs that control most (>60%) of our protein-coding genes post-transcriptionally. These molecules are aberrant in the body fluids, and abnormal alterations in their expression level can signify a specific disease such as infertility. Therefore, microRNAs can be novel candidate biomarkers that can diagnose different types of male infertility, including azoospermia, oligozoospermia, asthenozoospermia and teratozoospermia. This narrative review aimed to collect and sum up new papers published about the significant role of microRNAs in different male infertility categories.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Reza Asadpour
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ehsan Mofidi Chelan
- Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Rastgar Rezaei Y, Zarezadeh R, Nikanfar S, Oghbaei H, Nazdikbin N, Bahrami-Asl Z, Zarghami N, Ahmadi Y, Fattahi A, Nouri M, Dittrich R. microRNAs in the pathogenesis of non-obstructive azoospermia: the underlying mechanisms and therapeutic potentials. Syst Biol Reprod Med 2021; 67:337-353. [PMID: 34355990 DOI: 10.1080/19396368.2021.1951890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
miRNAs are involved in different biological processes, including proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Interestingly, 38% of the X chromosome-linked miRNAs are testis-specific and have crucial roles in regulating the renewal and cell cycle of spermatogonial stem cells. Previous studies demonstrated that abnormal expression of spermatogenesis-related miRNAs could lead to nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA). Moreover, differential miRNAs expression in seminal plasma of NOA patients has been reported compared to normozoospermic men. However, the role of miRNAs in NOA pathogenesis and the underlying mechanisms have not been comprehensively studied. Therefore, the aim of this review is to mechanistically describe the role of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of NOA and discuss the possibility of using the miRNAs as therapeutic targets.Abbreviations: AMO: anti-miRNA antisense oligonucleotide; AZF: azoospermia factor region; CDK: cyclin-dependent kinase; DAZ: deleted in azoospermia; ESCs: embryonic stem cells; FSH: follicle-stimulating hormone; ICSI: intracytoplasmic sperm injection; JAK/STAT: Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription; miRNA: micro-RNA; MLH1: Human mutL homolog l; NF-κB: Nuclear factor-kappa B; NOA: nonobstructive azoospermia; OA: obstructive azoospermia; PGCs: primordial germ cells; PI3K/AKT: Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B; Rb: retinoblastoma tumor suppressor; ROS: Reactive Oxygen Species; SCOS: Sertoli cell-only syndrome; SIRT: sirtuin; SNPs: single nucleotide polymorphisms; SSCs: spermatogonial stem cells; TESE: testicular sperm extraction; TGF-β: transforming growth factor-beta.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yeganeh Rastgar Rezaei
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Reza Zarezadeh
- Department of Biochemistry and Clinical Laboratories, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Saba Nikanfar
- Department of Biochemistry and Clinical Laboratories, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Hajar Oghbaei
- Department of Physiology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Zahra Bahrami-Asl
- Women's Reproductive Health Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Nosratollah Zarghami
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Yadollah Ahmadi
- Department of Urology, Sina Hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Amir Fattahi
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Reproductive Biology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erlangen University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Mohammad Nouri
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ralf Dittrich
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erlangen University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Altered Gene Expression in the Testis of Infertile Patients with Nonobstructive Azoospermia. COMPUTATIONAL AND MATHEMATICAL METHODS IN MEDICINE 2021; 2021:5533483. [PMID: 34221106 PMCID: PMC8211532 DOI: 10.1155/2021/5533483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Background The molecular mechanism of nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) remains unclear. The aim of this study was to identify gene expression changes in NOA patients and to explore potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Methods The gene expression profiles of GSE45885 and GSE145467 were collected from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and the differences between NOA and normal spermatogenesis were analyzed. Enrichment analysis was performed to explore biological functions for common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in GSE45885 and GSE145467. Coexpression analysis of DEGs in GSE45885 was performed, and two modules with the highest correlation with NOA were screened. Key genes were then screened from the intersection genes of the two modules and common DEGs and PPI network. The expression of key genes was validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) experiments. Finally, through miRTarBase, miRDB, and RAID, the miRNAs were predicted to regulate key genes, respectively. Results A total of 345 common DEGs were identified and they were mainly related to spermatogenesis, insulin signaling pathway. Coexpression analysis of DEGs in GSE45885 yielded eight modules; MEblack and MEturquoise had the highest correlation with NOA. Six genes in MEturquoise and RNF141 in MEblack were identified as key genes. qRT-PCR experiments validated the differential expression of key genes between NOA and control. Furthermore, RNF141 was regulated by the largest number of miRNAs. Conclusion Our findings suggest that the significant change expression of key genes may be potential markers and therapeutic targets of NOA and may have some impact on the development of NOA.
Collapse
|
18
|
Barbu MG, Thompson DC, Suciu N, Voinea SC, Cretoiu D, Predescu DV. The Roles of MicroRNAs in Male Infertility. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22062910. [PMID: 33805594 PMCID: PMC7998158 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22062910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs applications were vastly studied throughout the years, spanning from potential cancer biomarkers to targeted therapies for various diseases. Out of these utilizations, this paper focuses on their role in male infertility. Approximately 10–15% of worldwide couples are affected by infertility. Out of these, 50% are due to male determinants. The majority of cases still have an undetermined cause. Previous studies have found that the aberrant expression of microRNAs could be linked to certain reproductive dysfunctions in males. Further on, this study looked into the most recent literature published on this subject in order to assess the connection between the up-/down-regulation of various microRNAs and the roles they play in male infertility. MicroRNAs were found to be abundant and stable in the seminal liquid, which led to a facile identification using regular RNA detection methods. It was observed that the concentration of microRNAs in semen was modified in the case of patients suffering from asthenozoospermia and azoospermia. Moreover, idiopathic male infertility was associated with a single nucleotide polymorphism of the microRNA binding site. Future studies should focus their attention on discovering future treatments against male infertility targeting specific microRNAs and also on developing new and improved contraceptive methods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Madalina Gabriela Barbu
- Fetal Medicine Excellence Research Center, Alessandrescu-Rusescu National Institute for Mother and Child Health, 020395 Bucharest, Romania; (M.G.B.); (D.C.T.); (D.C.)
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Elias Emergency University Hospital, 011461 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Dana Claudia Thompson
- Fetal Medicine Excellence Research Center, Alessandrescu-Rusescu National Institute for Mother and Child Health, 020395 Bucharest, Romania; (M.G.B.); (D.C.T.); (D.C.)
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Elias Emergency University Hospital, 011461 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Nicolae Suciu
- Fetal Medicine Excellence Research Center, Alessandrescu-Rusescu National Institute for Mother and Child Health, 020395 Bucharest, Romania; (M.G.B.); (D.C.T.); (D.C.)
- Division of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Neonatology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Polizu Clinical Hospital, Alessandrescu-Rusescu National Institute for Mother and Child Health, 011061 Bucharest, Romania
- Correspondence: (N.S.); (S.C.V.)
| | - Silviu Cristian Voinea
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Institute of Oncology Prof. Dr. Alexandru Trestioreanu, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 022328 Bucharest, Romania
- Correspondence: (N.S.); (S.C.V.)
| | - Dragos Cretoiu
- Fetal Medicine Excellence Research Center, Alessandrescu-Rusescu National Institute for Mother and Child Health, 020395 Bucharest, Romania; (M.G.B.); (D.C.T.); (D.C.)
- Department of Cell, Molecular Biology and Histology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Dragos Valentin Predescu
- Department of General Surgery, Sf. Maria Clinical Hospital, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 011172 Bucharest, Romania;
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Sabetian S, Zarei M, Jahromi BN, Morowvat MH, Tabei SMB, Cava C. Exploring the dysregulated mRNAs-miRNAs-lncRNAs interactions associated to idiopathic non-obstructive azoospermia. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2021; 40:5956-5964. [PMID: 33499760 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2021.1875879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) is the most clinical problem in case of infertility. About 70% of NOA patients are idiopathic with uncharacterized molecular mechanisms. This study aimed to analyze the possible pathogenic miRNA-target gene interaction and lncRNA-miRNA association involved in NOA. In the current study, differentially expressed (DE) nRNAs, miRNAs and lncRNAs were determined using the microarray dataset and statistical software R. miRNAs-mRNA and miRNA-lncRNA interactions were identified and the base-pair binding between the seed region of miRNAs and complementary nucleotides in 3' UTR of mRNAs were analyzed. The influence of the validated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) was described by calculating the minimum free energy (MFE) of the interaction. A total of 74 mRNAs, 14 miRNAs, and 10 lncRNAs were identified to have significant differential expression in testicular tissue between patients and the fertile group. Four of the DE-mRNAs and all of the reported DE-miRNAs were upregulated. In addition, all of the represented DE-lncRNAs were showed to be downregulated. miR-509-5p and miR-27b-3p were found to interact with target gene polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) and Cysteine-rich secretory protein2 (CRISP2), respectively. Rs550967205 (A > G) positioned at 3' UTR CRISP2 and rs544604911 (T > C) located at 3' UTR PLK1, with lowest MFE in miRNA-mRNA interaction, were assumed to have possible pathogenic roles linked to spermatogenesis arrest. The results of the study provide new clues to understand the regulatory roles of miRNAs and lncRNAs in the pathogenesis and diagnosis of idiopathic azoospermia. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Soudabeh Sabetian
- Infertility Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mahboubeh Zarei
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Bahia Namavar Jahromi
- Infertility Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | | | | | - Claudia Cava
- Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology (IBFM), National Research Council (CNR), Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Pantos K, Grigoriadis S, Tomara P, Louka I, Maziotis E, Pantou A, Nitsos N, Vaxevanoglou T, Kokkali G, Agarwal A, Sfakianoudis K, Simopoulou M. Investigating the Role of the microRNA-34/449 Family in Male Infertility: A Critical Analysis and Review of the Literature. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:709943. [PMID: 34276570 PMCID: PMC8281345 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.709943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a great body of evidence suggesting that in both humans and animal models the microRNA-34/449 (miR-34/449) family plays a crucial role for normal testicular functionality as well as for successful spermatogenesis, regulating spermatozoa maturation and functionality. This review and critical analysis aims to summarize the potential mechanisms via which miR-34/449 dysregulation could lead to male infertility. Existing data indicate that miR-34/449 family members regulate ciliogenesis in the efferent ductules epithelium. Upon miR-34/449 dysregulation, ciliogenesis in the efferent ductules is significantly impaired, leading to sperm aggregation and agglutination as well as to defective reabsorption of the seminiferous tubular fluids. These events in turn cause obstruction of the efferent ductules and thus accumulation of the tubular fluids resulting to high hydrostatic pressure into the testis. High hydrostatic pressure progressively leads to testicular dysfunction as well as to spermatogenic failure and finally to male infertility, which could range from severe oligoasthenozoospermia to azoospermia. In addition, miR-34/449 family members act as significant regulators of spermatogenesis with an essential role in controlling expression patterns of several spermatogenesis-related proteins. It is demonstrated that these microRNAs are meiotic specific microRNAs as their expression is relatively higher at the initiation of meiotic divisions during spermatogenesis. Moreover, data indicate that these molecules are essential for proper formation as well as for proper function of spermatozoa per se. MicroRNA-34/449 family seems to exert significant anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic properties and thus contribute to testicular homeostatic regulation. Considering the clinical significance of these microRNAs, data indicate that the altered expression of the miR-34/449 family members is strongly associated with several aspects of male infertility. Most importantly, miR-34/449 levels in spermatozoa, in testicular tissues as well as in seminal plasma seem to be directly associated with severity of male infertility, indicating that these microRNAs could serve as potential sensitive biomarkers for an accurate individualized differential diagnosis, as well as for the assessment of the severity of male factor infertility. In conclusion, dysregulation of miR-34/449 family detrimentally affects male reproductive potential, impairing both testicular functionality as well as spermatogenesis. Future studies are needed to verify these conclusions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Sokratis Grigoriadis
- Laboratory of Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aretaieion Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Penelope Tomara
- Laboratory of Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Ioanna Louka
- Laboratory of Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Evangelos Maziotis
- Laboratory of Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aretaieion Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Agni Pantou
- Centre for Human Reproduction, Genesis Athens Clinic, Athens, Greece
- Laboratory of Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Nitsos
- Centre for Human Reproduction, Genesis Athens Clinic, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Georgia Kokkali
- Centre for Human Reproduction, Genesis Athens Clinic, Athens, Greece
| | - Ashok Agarwal
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | | | - Mara Simopoulou
- Laboratory of Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aretaieion Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- *Correspondence: Mara Simopoulou,
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Hu T, Luo S, Xi Y, Tu X, Yang X, Zhang H, Feng J, Wang C, Zhang Y. Integrative bioinformatics approaches for identifying potential biomarkers and pathways involved in non-obstructive azoospermia. Transl Androl Urol 2021; 10:243-257. [PMID: 33532314 PMCID: PMC7844508 DOI: 10.21037/tau-20-1029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) is a disease related to spermatogenic disorders. Currently, the specific etiological mechanism of NOA is unclear. This study aimed to use integrated bioinformatics to screen biomarkers and pathways involved in NOA and reveal their potential molecular mechanisms. Methods GSE145467 and GSE108886 gene expression profiles were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between NOA tissues and matched obstructive azoospermia (OA) tissues were identified using the GEO2R tool. Common DEGs in the two datasets were screened out by the VennDiagram package. For the functional annotation of common DEGs, DAVID v.6.8 was used to perform Gene Ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis. In accordance with data collected from the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins (STRING) database, a protein–protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed by Cytoscape. Cytohubba in Cytoscape was used to screen the hub genes. Furthermore, the hub genes were validated based on a separate dataset, GSE9210. Finally, potential micro RNAs (miRNAs) of hub genes were predicted by miRWalk 3.0. Results A total of 816 common DEGs, including 52 common upregulated and 764 common downregulated genes in two datasets, were screened out. Some of the more important of these pathways, including focal adhesion, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, cell cycle, oocyte meiosis, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway, FoxO signaling pathway, and Huntington disease, were involved in spermatogenesis. We further identified the top 20 hub genes from the PPI network, including CCNB2, DYNLL2, HMMR, NEK2, KIF15, DLGAP5, NUF2, TTK, PLK4, PTTG1, PBK, CEP55, CDKN3, CDC25C, MCM4, DNAI1, TYMS, PPP2R1B, DNAI2, and DYNLRB2, which were all downregulated genes. In addition, potential miRNAs of hub genes, including hsa-miR-3666, hsa-miR-130b-3p, hsa-miR-15b-5p, hsa-miR-6838-5p, and hsa-miR-195-5p, were screened out. Conclusions Taken together, the identification of the above hub genes, miRNAs and pathways will help us better understand the mechanisms associated with NOA, and provide potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for NOA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tengfei Hu
- Department of Infertility and Sexual Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shaoge Luo
- Department of Infertility and Sexual Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu Xi
- Department of Infertility and Sexual Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xuchong Tu
- Department of Infertility and Sexual Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaojian Yang
- Department of Infertility and Sexual Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Infertility and Sexual Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiarong Feng
- Department of Infertility and Sexual Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chunlin Wang
- Department of Andrology, Ruikang Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanning, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Infertility and Sexual Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Cito G, Coccia ME, Salvianti F, Fucci R, Picone R, Giachini C, Cocci A, Falcone P, Micelli E, Verrienti P, Minervini A, Carini M, Pinzani P, Natali A. Blood plasma miR-20a-5p expression as a potential non-invasive diagnostic biomarker of male infertility: A pilot study. Andrology 2020; 8:1256-1264. [PMID: 32406197 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recently, alterations in miRNAs expression profile in semen have been linked to damaged spermatogenesis, suggesting miRNAs could be used as potential infertility biomarkers. In previous animal studies, miR-20a-5p was found to be down-expressed in low motile spermatozoa, implying its potential target of genes associated with cell apoptosis. OBJECTIVE To investigate miR-20a-5p expression in blood plasma of patients suffering from non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA), compared to normozoospermic controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS Between January 2018 and December 2019, from 52 infertile couples eligible for the study, 24 couples were finally enrolled in this monocentric observational prospective pilot study. Patients were included into two groups: Group 1 comprised men with NOA (n = 14) and Group 2 fertile men partners of women with female tubal factor infertility (n = 10). All NOA patients underwent testicular sperm extraction. The expression of circulating miR-20a-5p in plasma samples was assessed by RT-qPCR. A relative quantification strategy was adopted using the 2-ΔCq method to calculate the target miR-20a-5p expression with respect to miR-16-5p as endogenous control. RESULTS Median blood plasma miR-20a-5p was significantly higher in patients affected by NOA (0.16 2-ΔCt , range: 0.05-0.79 2-ΔCt ) than in fertile controls (0.06 2-ΔCt , range: 0.04-0.10 2-ΔCt ), P < .001. MiR-20a-5p was positively correlated with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) (rrho = -0.490, P = .015) and luteinizing hormone (LH) (rrho = -0.462, P = .023), and negatively correlated with serum total testosterone (TT) (rrho = -0.534, P = .007) and right and left testicular size (rrho = -0.473, P = .020 and rrho = -0.471, P = .020, respectively). Successful sperm retrieval (SR) rate was 50.0%. Median value of miR-20a-5p did not differ significantly among patients with successful SR and those with negative SR. Testicular histological examination showed: hypospermatogenesis in 6/14 (42.8%), maturation arrest in 4/14 (28.6%), sertoli cell-only syndrome in 4/14 (28.6%). No significant differences in miR-20a-5p were found between histopathological patterns (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS MiR-20a-5p could represent a novel non-invasive diagnostic biomarker of male infertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gianmartin Cito
- Department of Urology, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Maria Elisabetta Coccia
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Centre, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Francesca Salvianti
- Clinical Biochemistry and Clinical Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Rossella Fucci
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Centre, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Rita Picone
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Centre, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Claudia Giachini
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Centre, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Andrea Cocci
- Department of Urology, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Patrizia Falcone
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Centre, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Micelli
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Centre, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Pierangelo Verrienti
- Department of Urology, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Andrea Minervini
- Department of Urology, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Marco Carini
- Department of Urology, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Pamela Pinzani
- Clinical Biochemistry and Clinical Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Alessandro Natali
- Department of Urology, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Eikmans M, D. H. Anholts J, Blijleven L, Meuleman T, van Beelen E, van der Hoorn MLP, Claas FHJ. Optimization of microRNA Acquirement from Seminal Plasma and Identification of Diminished Seminal microRNA-34b as Indicator of Low Semen Concentration. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21114089. [PMID: 32521662 PMCID: PMC7312420 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21114089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
About 10–15% of couples who want to conceive suffer from subfertility, while in 30% of these cases, a male factor plays a role. Levels of particular microRNAs in seminal plasma, including those involved in spermatogenesis, may serve as an indicative parameter for subfertility. We first optimized a protocol for acquiring microRNAs from seminal plasma. Next, using a test-validation strategy in a male cohort, we aimed to identify microRNAs of which the levels are related to semen motility and concentration. By qPCR, 742 microRNAs were profiled in three normozoospermic samples, three seminal samples with a low semen motility (asthenozoospermia), and three with a low semen concentration (oligozoospermia). MicroRNAs showing significant differences between groups were further validated in a second cohort consisting of 40 samples with normozoospermia (control group), 47 samples with asthenozoospermia, and 19 samples with oligozoospermia (of which 74% also low motility). Highest microRNA yields were obtained with the Biofluids RNA extraction kit, with inclusion of MS2 RNA carrier and proteinase K treatment to the protocol, and when 50 µL of seminal plasma was used as input. Exosome isolation prior to RNA extraction did not lead to enhanced yields. In the test cohort, 236 microRNAs could be detected, of which 54 microRNAs showed a difference between groups. Five microRNAs were analyzed in the validation cohort. MiR-34b-5p levels in the control group were significantly higher compared to the asthenozoospermia group (p < 0.05) and compared to the oligozoospermia group (p < 0.001). We optimized microRNA acquirement from seminal plasma and identified microRNA levels in relation to semen concentration and motility. As recent human and mouse studies show that the miR-34 family is a marker of low semen concentration and is crucial in spermatogenesis, seminal plasma miR-34b-5p may represent a suitable candidate to study further as a marker of male subfertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Eikmans
- Department of Immunohematology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (J.D.H.A.); (L.B.); (E.v.B.); (F.H.J.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +31-71-526-6722; Fax: +31-71-526-5267
| | - Jacqueline D. H. Anholts
- Department of Immunohematology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (J.D.H.A.); (L.B.); (E.v.B.); (F.H.J.C.)
| | - Laura Blijleven
- Department of Immunohematology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (J.D.H.A.); (L.B.); (E.v.B.); (F.H.J.C.)
| | - Tess Meuleman
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands;
| | - Els van Beelen
- Department of Immunohematology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (J.D.H.A.); (L.B.); (E.v.B.); (F.H.J.C.)
| | | | - Frans H. J. Claas
- Department of Immunohematology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (J.D.H.A.); (L.B.); (E.v.B.); (F.H.J.C.)
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Daneshmandpour Y, Bahmanpour Z, Hamzeiy H, Mazaheri Moghaddam M, Mazaheri Moghaddam M, Khademi B, Sakhinia E. MicroRNAs association with azoospermia, oligospermia, asthenozoospermia, and teratozoospermia: a systematic review. J Assist Reprod Genet 2020; 37:763-775. [PMID: 32189180 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-019-01674-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Infertility is a major health problem across the world. One of the main reasons for male infertility are defects in sperm. Semen analysis is the most common test utilized to evaluate male fertility and since it suffers from multiple drawbacks, reproduction scientists have tried to find new molecular markers for detecting sperm defects. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small molecules in cells which take part in regulating gene expression. Various studies have confirmed miRNAs to have a role in defining multiple sperm characteristics, including sperm count, motility, and morphology. In this paper, we have systematically reviewed the role of miRNAs in infertile men with sperm defects including azoospermia, oligospermia, asthenozoospermia, and teratozoospermia. Also, we have assembled various bioinformatics tools to come up with a pipeline for predicting novel miRNAs which could possibly participate in sperm count, motility, and morphology. Also, related KEGG and GO terms for predicted miRNAs have been included in order to highlight their role in sperm function. Our study emphasizes the potential role of miRNAs in male infertility and provides a general overview for future studies aiming to find robust molecular markers for this condition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yousef Daneshmandpour
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Tabriz Genetic Analysis Centre (TGAC), Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Zahra Bahmanpour
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Hamid Hamzeiy
- Tabriz Genetic Analysis Centre (TGAC), Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Genomize Inc., Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Marziyeh Mazaheri Moghaddam
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Tabriz Genetic Analysis Centre (TGAC), Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Madiheh Mazaheri Moghaddam
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences (ZUMS), Zanjan, Iran
| | - Bahareh Khademi
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ebrahim Sakhinia
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. .,Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. .,Tabriz Genetic Analysis Centre (TGAC), Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. .,Connective Tissue Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|