Oxytocin preprotein and oxytocin receptor mRNA expression is altered in semen samples with abnormal semen parameters

RESEARCH QUESTION

Are oxytocin preprotein and the oxytocin receptor expressed in human spermatozoa and is their mRNA expression different between normal semen samples and samples with at least one abnormal parameter?

DESIGN

An in-vitro prospective study of 175 semen samples from Greek men, according to World Health Organization criteria, 2010. mRNA expression levels were compared between different categories of semen samples, classified according to their concentration, total number, motility and morphology. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect oxytocin preprotein and its receptor on spermatozoa smears.

RESULTS

Compared with normal samples (normal motility and normal concentration), samples with at least one abnormal sperm parameter had statistically significantly lower oxytocin preprotein mRNA expression (P = 0.019) and higher oxytocin receptor mRNA expression levels (P < 0.001). Oligozoospermic samples had statistically significantly higher oxytocin preprotein mRNA expression levels (P = 0.002) and lower oxytocin receptor mRNA expression levels (P = 0.047). Asthenozoospermic samples had statistically significantly lower oxytocin preprotein mRNA expression levels (P < 0.001). Teratozoospermic samples had statistically significantly lower oxytocin preprotein mRNA expression levels (P = 0.049) and higher oxytocin receptor mRNA expression levels (P < 0.001). Oxytocin preprotein mRNA expression was positively associated with total progressive motility (P < 0.001) and negatively associated with the percentage of immotile spermatozoa (P = 0.001). Oxytocin receptor mRNA expression was negatively associated with the percentage of normal forms (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Oxytocin preprotein and oxytocin receptor mRNA expression in spermatozoa could be used as a novel and unbiased diagnostic tool for male infertility.

Expression of genes that regulate follicle development and maturation during ovarian stimulation in poor responders

RESEARCH QUESTION

Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), androgen receptor (AR), LH beta polypeptide (LHB), progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1) and progesterone receptor membrane component 2 (PGRMC2) regulate follicle development and maturation. Their mRNA expression was assessed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of normal and poor responders, during ovarian stimulation.

DESIGN

Fifty-two normal responders and 15 poor responders according to the Bologna criteria were enrolled for IVF and intracytoplasmic sperm injection and stimulated with 200 IU of follitrophin alpha and gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonist. HCG was administered for final oocyte maturation. On days 1, 6 and 10 of stimulation, blood samples were obtained, serum hormone levels were measured, RNA was extracted from PBMC and real-time polymerase chain reaction was carried out to identify the mRNA levels. Relative mRNA expression of each gene was calculated by the comparative 2^-DDCt method.

RESULTS

Differences between mRNA levels of each gene on the same time point between the two groups were not significant. PGRMC1 and PGRMC2 mRNA levels were downregulated, adjusted for ovarian response and age. Positive correlations between PGRMC1 and AR (standardized beta = 0.890, P < 0.001) from day 1 to 6 and PGRMC1 and LHB (standardized beta = 0.806, P < 0.001) from day 1 to 10 were found in poor responders. PGRMC1 and PGRMC2 were positively correlated on days 6 and 10 in normal responders.

CONCLUSIONS

PGRMC1 and PGRMC2 mRNA are significantly decreased during ovarian stimulation, with some potential differences between normal and poor responders.

Expression of YKL-40 and MIP-1a proteins in exudates and transudates: biomarkers for differential diagnosis of pleural effusions? A pilot study

Background

YKL-40 is an extracellular matrix glycoprotein with a significant role in tissue inflammation and remodeling. MIP-1a has chemotactic and pro-inflammatory properties, and is induced by YKL-40 in several lung disorders. The aim of this study was to determine the levels of YKL-40 and MIP-1a in blood serum and pleural fluids of various pulmonary diseases, and to evaluate their potential role as differential diagnosis biomarkers.

Methods

We recruited 60 patients (age: 62.5 ± 20.6 years) with pleural effusions: 49 exudates and 11 transudates (T). Exudates were further classified based on the underlying disease: ten with tuberculosis (TB), 13 with lung cancer (LCa), 15 with metastatic cancer (MCa) of non-lung origin and 11 with parapneumonic (PN) effusions. YKL-40 and MIP-1a levels were measured by ELISA.

Results

Pleural YKL-40 levels (ng/ml) were similar among all patient groups (TB: 399 ± 36, LCa: 401 ± 112, MCa: 416 ± 34, PN: 401 ± 50, T: 399 ± 42, p = 0.92). On the contrary, YKL-40 was significantly lower in the serum of TB patients (TB: 58 ± 22, LCa: 212 ± 106, MCa: 254 ± 140, PN: 265 ± 140, T: 229 ± 123, p < 0.001). Pleural MIP-1a protein levels (ng/ml) were statistically lower only in patients with LCa (TB: 25.0 ± 20.2, LCa: 7.3 ± 6.0, MCa: 16.1 ± 14.9, PN: 25.4 ± 27.9, T: 18.5 ± 7.9, p = 0.012), a finding also observed in serum MIP-1a levels (TB: 17.1 ± 7.6, LCa: 9.4 ± 7.0, MCa: 28.7 ± 28.7, PN: 33.3 ± 24.0, T: 22.9 ± 8.7, p = 0.003).

Conclusions

Our data suggest that both YKL-40 and MIP-1a, particularly in serum, could prove useful for the differentiation of pleural effusions in clinical practice, especially of TB or LCa origin. However, large-scale studies are needed to validate these findings.

Molecular profiling of EGFR family in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: correlation with airway obstruction

BACKGROUND

Growth factors mediate various cellular responses to environmental stimuli. Specifically, exposure of lung epithelium to oxidative stress induced by cigarette smoke stimulates aberrant epidermal growth factor receptor (ERBB) family activation. This study's objective was to evaluate the expression of ERBB1-4 receptors in the lung tissue of smokers with or without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

ERBBs expression was measured by microarray analysis in lung tissue samples from five patients with COPD and five non-COPD smokers, and by quantitative real-time PCR in additional 20 patients with COPD (GOLD stage II), 15 non-COPD smokers and 10 nonsmoker controls.

RESULTS

Microarray data analysis revealed that ERBB receptors expression was elevated in patients with COPD compared to non-COPD smokers, ranging from 1·62- to 2·45-fold, (P < 0·01). Real-time qPCR verified that patients with COPD had higher ERBB1-3 expression levels compared with non-COPD smokers (PERBB1  < 0·001; PERBB2  = 0·003; PERBB3  = 0·003) and nonsmokers (PERBB1  = 0·019; PERBB2  = 0·005; PERBB3  = 0·011). On the other hand, ERBB4 mRNA levels gradually increased from nonsmokers (0·74 ± 0·19) to non-COPD smokers (1·11 ± 0·05) to patients with COPD (1·57 ± 0·28) and were correlated with the degree of airflow obstruction (PFEV1  < 0·001).

DISCUSSION

These data suggest that ERBB1-3 overexpression is not related only to smoking exposure but probably to epithelial remodelling and mucociliary system distortion, characterizing COPD. Additionally, the inverse correlation of ERBB4 with FEV1 exhibits a possible link between ERBB4 and COPD severity.

Molecular response of the human diaphragm on different modes of mechanical ventilation

BACKGROUND

The mechanical stress that the human diaphragm is exposed to during mechanical ventilation affects a variety of processes, including signal transduction, gene expression, and angiogenesis.

OBJECTIVES

The study aim was to assess the change in the production of major angiogenic regulators [vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2), and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFB1)] on the human diaphragm before and after contraction/relaxation cycles during mechanical ventilation.

METHODS

This observational study investigates the diaphragmatic mRNA expression of VEGF, FGF2, and TGFB1 in surgical patients receiving general anesthesia with controlled mechanical ventilation (CMV) with muscle relaxation (group A, n = 13), CMV without muscle relaxation (group B, n = 10), and pressure support of spontaneous breathing (group C, n = 9). Diaphragmatic samples were obtained from each patient at two time points: 30 min after the induction of anesthesia (t1) and 90 min after the first specimen collection (t2).

RESULTS

No significant changes in the mRNA expression of VEGF, FGF2, and TGFB1 were documented in groups A and C between time points t1 and t2. In contrast, in group B, the mRNA levels of the above angiogenic factors were increased in time point t2 compared to t1, a finding which was statistically significant (pVEGF = 0.003, pFGF2 = 0.028, pTGFB1 = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that the molecular response of the human diaphragm before and after application of diverse modes of mechanical ventilation is different. Angiogenesis via the expression of VEGF, FGF2, and TGFB1 was only promoted in CMV without muscle relaxation, and this may have important clinical implications.

Oxidative DNA damage and somatic mutations: a link to the molecular pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory airway diseases

BACKGROUND

Acquired somatic mutations induced by oxidative stress may contribute to the molecular pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory airway diseases. The objective of this study was to assess the intensity of oxidative DNA damage and the presence of microsatellite DNA instability (MSI), a marker of acquired somatic mutations, in patients with COPD, patients with noncystic fibrosis bronchiectasis, and control subjects.

METHODS

Induced sputum and peripheral blood from 97 subjects were analyzed; 36 patients with COPD, 36 patients with bronchiectasis, 15 smokers without COPD, and 10 healthy control subjects. DNA was extracted and analyzed for MSI. 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), a specific marker of oxidant-induced DNA damage, was measured in serum and sputum supernatants.

RESULTS

None of the patients with bronchiectasis or control subjects (non-COPD smokers, healthy subjects) exhibited any genetic alteration. In contrast, MSI was found in 38% of COPD specimens. Sputum 8-OHdG was statistically significantly increased in COPD when compared with subjects with bronchiectasis (P = .0002), smokers without COPD (P = .0056), and healthy subjects (P = .0003). Sputum 8-OHdG in MSI-positive patients with COPD differed significantly from that of MSI-negative patients with COPD (P = .04) and smokers without COPD (P = .008), but was not statistically different (P = .07) among MSI-negative patients with COPD and smokers without COPD. Serum 8-OHdG was significantly increased in MSI-positive compared with MSI-negative patients with COPD (P = .001), but was not statistically significant in smokers without COPD (P = .09). Serum 8-OHdG was increased in smokers without COPD compared with MSI-negative patients with COPD (P = .009).

CONCLUSIONS

There is a clear disparity in COPD regarding oxidant-induced DNA damage and somatic mutations. This may reflect a difference in the oxidative stress per se or a deficient antioxidant and/or repair capacity in the lungs of patients with COPD.

Deregulation of apoptosis mediators' p53 and bcl2 in lung tissue of COPD patients

Abnormal apoptotic events in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) subvert cellular homeostasis and may play a primary role in its pathogenesis. However, studies in human subjects are limited.

p53 and bcl2 protein expression was measured by western blot on lung tissue specimens from 43 subjects (23 COPD smokers and 20 non-COPD smokers), using beta-actin as internal control. Additionally, p53 and bcl2 expression patterns were evaluated by immunohistochemistry in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded lung tissue sections from the same individuals.

Western blot analysis showed statistically significant increased p53 protein levels in COPD smokers in comparison with non-COPD smokers (p = 0.038), while bcl2 protein levels were not statistically different between the two groups. Lung immunohistochemistry showed increased ratio of positive p53-stained type II pneumocytes/total type II pneumocytes in COPD smokers compared to non-COPD smokers (p = 0.01), whereas the p53 staining ratio in alveolar macrophages and in lymphocyte-like cells did not differ statistically between the two groups. On the other hand, bcl2 expression did not differ between the two groups in all three cell types.

The increased expression of pro-apoptotic p53 in type II pneumocytes of COPD patients not counterbalanced by the anti-apoptotic bcl2 could reflect increased apoptosis in the alveolar epithelium of COPD patients. Our results confirm previous experiments and support the hypothesis of a disturbance in the balance between the pro- and anti-apoptotic mediators in COPD.

Acquired somatic mutations in the microsatellite DNA, in children with bronchial asthma

OBJECTIVES

High incidence of genetic alterations at the microsatellite (MS) DNA level has been reported in asthmatic adults.

WORKING HYPOTHESIS

The aim of this study was to investigate whether microsatellite instability (MSI) and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) were detectable phenomena in children with asthma.

METHODOLOGY

DNA was extracted from sputum and blood cells of 27 children (10.8 +/- 2.5 years) with mild to moderate asthma, and from 8 healthy, never-smoked young adults. Fourteen polymorphic MS markers, namely D5S207, D5S820, D5S637, D6S344, D6S2223, D6S263, SGC35231, D11S1253, D11S1337, D11S97, USAT24G1, D13S273, D14S258, and D14S292, located on chromosomes (chr) 5q, 6p, 11q, 13q, and 14q were used to assess MSI and LOH.

RESULTS

None of the healthy subjects exhibited any genetic alteration. Five out of 27 children (18.5%) exhibited MSI or LOH in sputum cells versus blood samples from which 3 in the marker USAT24G1 (chr 13q14.1), 1 in the marker D14S258 (chr 14q23-q24.3), and 1 in the marker D5S637 (chr 5q12-q13). Compared to a previous study, with asthmatic adults, whereas MSI and/or LOH was exhibited in approximately 60% of the cases, the current study reported <20% of genetic alterations, at the MS DNA, in asthmatic children.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results showed that genetic instability in the MS DNA, is present in asthmatic children, but to less extent than in adult asthmatics from previous studies. These findings may support the hypothesis that somatic mutations may be early acquired in the natural course of asthma and could represent another contributor to the molecular pathogenesis of the disease. However, further studies are needed to clarify this hypothesis.

Polymorphisms of fractalkine receptor CX3CR1 gene in patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis

AIM

The chemokine fractalikine is expressed in vascular endothelium, exerting a pro-atherogenic effect. Two single-nucleotide polymorphisms of the CX3CR1 gene (T280M and V249I) affect frac-talkine receptor expression and function. We aimed to assess the prevalence of CX3CR1 polymor-phisms and the association with ischemic cerebrovascular attacks in a cohort of carotid atheromatous disease patients and age-matched controls.

METHODS

Using PCR-RFLP, we analyzed allelotypes for T280M and V249I in 150 patients with and 151 controls without carotid atherosclerosis assessed using carotid duplex ultrasound; the subjects were patients admitted for any reason to a tertiary hospital. Genotype data were compared with modifiable risk factors for cerebrovascular disease and the reason for admission, using ischemic stroke as an endpoint. Stroke types associated with carotid atherosclerosis were analysed separately.

RESULTS

The M280 allelic frequency was lower among carotid atherosclerosis patients than controls (0.15 versus 0.23, adjusted OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.30-0.74). Absence of M280 allele was an indepen-dent factor associated with carotid atherosclerosis (OR 3.70, 95% CI 1.92-7.14), stronger than hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes and cigarette smoking. The I249 allele was also under-repre-sented in carotid atherosclerosis; this was not statistically significant. T280M and V249I genotypes were not associated with admission due to ischemic stroke of the large vessel subtype (TOAST classi-fication, 73 episodes), whereas carotid atherosclerosis, previous ischemic event, age, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia and cigarette smoking were all independently associated.

CONCLUSIONS

The M280 fractalkine receptor gene allele is associated with a lower risk of carotid ath-eromatous disease, independent from the modifiable cerebrovascular risk factors.

Altered surfactant protein-A expression in type II pneumocytes in COPD

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary surfactant protein A (SP-A) is a lectin, with multiple functions that contribute to innate host defense and the regulation of the inflammatory process in the lung. In normal conditions, SP-A seems to protect against the effects of smoking. However, studies in smokers with or without COPD are limited.

METHODS

Western blots on lung tissue specimens from 60 male subjects (32 patients with COPD, 18 smokers without COPD, and 10 control nonsmokers) for SP-A and the housekeeping protein actin were carried out. Additionally, the SP-A expression pattern was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded lung tissue sections from the same subjects.

RESULTS

Western blots revealed significantly higher SP-A levels in control nonsmokers (4.8 +/- 0.05) when compared with patients with COPD (0.6 +/- 0.7) and smokers without COPD (2.4 +/- 0.9), (P < .05). However, differences that were not statistically significant were observed in SP-A levels among the patients with COPD and the smokers without COPD (P = .12). The immunohistochemical examinations showed an increase in the overall number of type II pneumocytes per high-power field in patients with COPD, but a decreased ratio of SP-A positive type II pneumocytes to total type II pneumocytes, compared with smokers without COPD (P = .001). This ratio was also correlated with FEV(1) (percent predicted [% pred]), (r = 0.490, P = .001). The overall number of alveolar macrophages per high-power field was significantly higher in patients with COPD compared with smokers without COPD (P = .001). The ratio of SP-A positive alveolar macrophages was increased in patients with COPD when compared with smokers without COPD (P = .002), while this was correlated with airway obstruction (FEV(1), % pred) (r = 0.281, P = .04).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that altered SP-A expression could be another link to COPD pathogenesis and highlights the need for further studies on surfactant markers in COPD.

Prevalence of human herpes virus types 1-7 in the semen of men attending an infertility clinic and correlation with semen parameters

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence of herpes viruses in the semen of an asymptomatic male cohort with and without infertility problems and its association with altered semen parameters.

DESIGN

A prospective randomized study.

SETTING

Medical school and IVF clinic.

PATIENT(S)

One hundred seventy-two male patients undergoing routine semen analysis: 80 with normal semen parameters (control group) and 92 with abnormal semen parameters.

INTERVENTION(S)

Semen samples were collected by masturbation.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

The DNA from the Herpesviridae family (herpes simplex virus 1 [HSV-1], herpes simplex virus 2 [HSV-2], Varicella zoster virus [VZV], Epstein-Barr virus [EBV], cytomegalovirus [CMV], human herpes virus type 6 [HHV-6], human herpes virus type 7 [HHV-7]) and routine semen parameters.

RESULT(S)

Viral DNA was detected in 143/172 (83.1%) of the total samples for at least one herpes virus: HSV-1, 2.5%; VZV, 1.2%; EBV, 45%; CMV, 62.5%; HHV-6, 70%; HHV-7, 0% in the normal semen samples and HSV-1, 2.1%; VZV, 3.2%; EBV, 39.1%; CMV, 56.5%; HHV-6, 66.3%; HHV-7, 0% in the abnormal semen samples. No association was found between the presence of viral DNA and semen parameters. Interestingly, a statistical significance between leukocytospermia and the presence of EBV DNA was observed.

CONCLUSION(S)

The DNA of herpes viruses is frequently detected in the semen of asymptomatic fertile and infertile male patients. Further studies are required to investigate the role of herpes viruses in male factor infertility.

Microsatellite DNA analysis does not distinguish malignant from benign pleural effusions

Distinguishing malignant from benign pleural effusions using routine cytology is a common diagnostic problem. Recently, genetic alterations, including microsatellite instability (MSI) and loss of heterozygosity (LOH), have been described in malignant pleural effusions and proposed as methods improving diagnostics. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a panel of molecular markers for the detection of genetic alterations of cells in pleural effusions and to determine their diagnostic value as an additional test to cytologic examination. Pleural fluid and peripheral blood from 48 patients (36 male and 12 female, median age 71 years) were analyzed. Twenty-six patients had malignant pleural effusion, including 23 lung cancer and three metastatic non-pulmonary carcinoma. The control group consisted of 22 patients with benign pleural effusions. Only 14 malignancy-associated pleural effusions were cytology-positive for malignant cells (54%), whereas all benign pleural effusions were negative. DNA was extracted from all the samples and analysed for MSI and/or LOH using the following microsatellite markers: D3S1234, D9S171, D12S363, D17S250, D5S346 and TP53Alu, located at five chromosomal regions: 3p, 9p, 12q, 17q, 5q. Microsatellite analysis of the pleural fluid pellet exhibited genetic alterations in two neoplastic pleural fluid cases and in one inflammatory case. Two out of 26 (7.6%) patients with malignant pleural effusion showed genetic alterations. One exhibited MSI in three different microsatellite markers (D17S250, D9S171, D3S134) and the other showed LOH in marker D3S134. One out of 22 (4.5%) patients with benign pleural effusion showed LOH in marker D3S134. In conclusion, genetic alterations at the level of microsatellite DNA, were detected only in very few cases of malignant pleural effusions, and in one case of benign pleural effusion. Thus, our data suggest that microsatellite DNA analysis does not facilitate the diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion.