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Cimadomo D, Fiorentino G, Innocenti F, Merico V, Taggi M, Angotzi M, Venturella R, Albricci L, Vaiarelli A, Sproviero D, Cereda C, Gagliardi S, Ubaldi F, Garagna S, Rienzi L, Zuccotti M. Cumulus cells secrete micro-vesicles carrying miRNAs: their role in the acquisition of mouse and human oocyte's developmental competence. Reprod Biomed Online 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2022.08.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/07/2022]
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Merico V, Imberti JF, Zanoni M, Boriani G, Garagna S, Imberti R. Inhibition of lysyl oxidase stimulates TGF-β signaling and metalloproteinases-2 and -9 expression and contributes to the disruption of ascending aorta in rats: protection by propylthiouracil. Heart Vessels 2021; 36:738-747. [PMID: 33462684 DOI: 10.1007/s00380-020-01750-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Mutations in lysyl oxidase (LOX) genes cause severe vascular anomalies in mice and humans. LOX activity can be irreversibly inhibited by the administration of β-aminoproprionitrile (BAPN). We investigated the mechanisms underlying the damage to the ascending thoracic aorta induced by LOX deficiency and evaluated whether 6-propylthiouracil (PTU) can afford protection in rats. BAPN administration caused disruption of the ascending aortic wall, increased the number of apoptotic cells, stimulated TGF-β signaling (increase of nuclear p-SMAD2 staining), and up-regulated the expression of metalloproteinases-2 and -9. In BAPN-treated animals, PTU reduced apoptosis, p-SMAD2 staining, MMP-2, and -9 expression, and markedly decreased the damage to the aortic wall. Our results suggest that, as in some heritable vascular diseases, enhanced TGF-β signaling and upregulation of MMP-2 and -9 can contribute to the pathogenesis of ascending aorta damage caused by LOX deficiency. We have also shown that PTU, a drug already in clinical use, protects against the effects of LOX inhibition. MMP-2 and -9 might be potential targets of new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of vascular diseases caused by LOX deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Merico
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Lazzaro Spallanzani", University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Jacopo Francesco Imberti
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Policlinico di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Mario Zanoni
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Lazzaro Spallanzani", University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Boriani
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Policlinico di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Silvia Garagna
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Lazzaro Spallanzani", University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.,Centre for Health Technologies (C.H.T.), University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Roberto Imberti
- Phase I Clinical Trials Unit and Experimental Therapy, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy.
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Merico V, Luaces JP, Rossi LF, Rebuzzini P, Merani MS, Zuccotti M, Garagna S. Sertoli-immature spermatids disengagement during testis regression in the armadillo. Reproduction 2020; 157:27-42. [PMID: 30394707 DOI: 10.1530/rep-18-0006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2018] [Accepted: 10/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
In nature, mammalian seasonal breeders undergo spermatogenetic arrest during the non-breeding season. In the large hairy armadillo Chaetophractus villosus, testis regression initiates with immature post-meiotic germ cells sloughing into the tubule lumen and continues with the death of the remaining spermatocytes. At the end of the regression period, only spermatogonia and Sertoli cells persist in the seminiferous epithelium. It has been suggested that cell sloughing is determined by changes in the adhesion complexes between Sertoli cells and spermatids, which are mediated by low intra-testicular testosterone levels. By immunofluorescence and Western blotting we studied key proteins of the N-cadherin/N-cadherin and A6B1-integrin/laminin interlocks that contribute to the complex Sertoli/spermatid adhesion system throughout the eight stages of the seminiferous epithelium cycle in the comparison between active and regressing testes. In active testis, B1-integrin, laminin G3, N-cadherin, B-catenin, P-B-catenin-Tyr654, FAK, P-FAK-Tyr397, SRC, P-SRC-Tyr416 proteins present a spermatogenetic cycle-dependent localisation pattern, unmaintained in regressing testes. In the latter, quantitative variations and changes in the phosphorylation state of protein FAK, SRC and B-catenin contribute to the disassembly of the N-cadherin/N-cadherin and A6B1-integrin/laminin interlocks, thus promoting the massive release of immature spermatids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Merico
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie 'Lazzaro Spallanzani', Laboratorio di Biologia dello Sviluppo, Università degli Studi di Pavia, Pavia, Italy.,Centre for Health Technology, Università degli Studi di Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Juan Pablo Luaces
- Laboratorio de Biología Cromosómica, Facultad de Medicina, UBA, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Luis Francisco Rossi
- Laboratorio de Biología Cromosómica, Facultad de Medicina, UBA, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Paola Rebuzzini
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie 'Lazzaro Spallanzani', Laboratorio di Biologia dello Sviluppo, Università degli Studi di Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Maria Susana Merani
- Laboratorio de Biología Cromosómica, Facultad de Medicina, UBA, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Maurizio Zuccotti
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie 'Lazzaro Spallanzani', Laboratorio di Biologia dello Sviluppo, Università degli Studi di Pavia, Pavia, Italy.,Centre for Health Technology, Università degli Studi di Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Silvia Garagna
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie 'Lazzaro Spallanzani', Laboratorio di Biologia dello Sviluppo, Università degli Studi di Pavia, Pavia, Italy.,Centre for Health Technology, Università degli Studi di Pavia, Pavia, Italy
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Merico V, Zanoni M, Parada-Bustamante A, Garagna S, Zuccotti M. In Vitro Maturation of Fully Grown Mouse Antral Follicles in the Presence of 1 nM 2-Hydroxyestradiol Improves Oocytes' Developmental Competence. Reprod Sci 2020; 28:121-133. [PMID: 32757137 PMCID: PMC7782423 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-020-00276-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Cathecolestrogens are estradiol metabolites produced during folliculogenesis in the mammalian ovary. 2-Hydroxyestradiol (2-OHE2) is one of the most abundant although its role remains unknown. The aim of this study is to investigate whether the presence of 2-OHE2 during the germinal vesicle-to-metaphase II transition affects oocyte meiotic and preimplantation developmental competence. Mouse cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs), isolated from fully grown antral follicles, were in vitro–matured (IVM) in the presence of 2-OHE2 (0.1, 1, 10 or 100 nM) for 6 or 15 h; then, their meiotic and developmental competence was evaluated using a number of cytological quality markers. With the exception of the highest dose (100 nM), the addition of 2-OHE2 to the IVM medium, did not alter, compared with untreated control, the frequency of oocytes that reached the MII stage. Instead, IVM in the presence of 1 nM 2-OHE2 highly increased the rate of preimplantation development and blastocyst quality. To understand whether this positive effect could be attributed to the events occurring during meiosis resumption, we analysed a number of specific cytological quality markers of the asymmetric division, such as PB-I volume and position, presence and extension of the cortical F-actin cap, meiotic spindle shape and area, and microtubule organisation centre localisation. The results highlighted how the presence of 1 nM 2-OHE2 significantly improved the overall cytological organisation required for a correct asymmetric division. Our results contribute a first step to acknowledge a potential role of this estradiol metabolite during the GV-to-MII transition, contributing to the acquisition of oocytes developmental competence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Merico
- Laboratorio di Biologia dello Sviluppo, Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Lazzaro Spallanzani", University of Pavia, Via Ferrata, 9, 27100, Pavia, Italy. .,Centre for Health Technologies (C.H.T.), University of Pavia, Via Ferrata, 9, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
| | - Mario Zanoni
- Laboratorio di Biologia dello Sviluppo, Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Lazzaro Spallanzani", University of Pavia, Via Ferrata, 9, 27100, Pavia, Italy.,Centre for Health Technologies (C.H.T.), University of Pavia, Via Ferrata, 9, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Alexis Parada-Bustamante
- Institute of Maternal and Child Research, School of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Silvia Garagna
- Laboratorio di Biologia dello Sviluppo, Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Lazzaro Spallanzani", University of Pavia, Via Ferrata, 9, 27100, Pavia, Italy. .,Centre for Health Technologies (C.H.T.), University of Pavia, Via Ferrata, 9, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
| | - Maurizio Zuccotti
- Laboratorio di Biologia dello Sviluppo, Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Lazzaro Spallanzani", University of Pavia, Via Ferrata, 9, 27100, Pavia, Italy. .,Centre for Health Technologies (C.H.T.), University of Pavia, Via Ferrata, 9, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
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Merico V, Garagna S, Zuccotti M. A Brief Incubation of Cumulus-Enclosed Mouse Eggs in a Calcium-Free Medium Containing a High Concentration of Calcium-Chelator Markedly Improves Preimplantation Development. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020; 17:E3505. [PMID: 32429575 PMCID: PMC7277781 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17103505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The presence of cumulus cells (CCs) surrounding ovulated eggs is beneficial to in vitro fertilization and preimplantation development outcomes in several mammalian species. In the mouse, this contribution has a negligible effect on the fertilization rate; however, it is not yet clear whether it has positive effects on preimplantation development. Here, we compared the rates of in vitro fertilization and preimplantation development of ovulated B6C3F1 CC-enclosed vs. CC-free eggs, the latter obtained either after a 5 min treatment in M2 medium containing hyaluronidase or after 5-25 min in M2 medium supplemented with 34.2 mM EDTA (M2-EDTA). We found that, although the maintenance of CCs around ovulated eggs does not increment their developmental rate to blastocyst, the quality of the latter is significantly enhanced. Most importantly, for the first time, we describe a further quantitative and qualitative improvement, on preimplantation development, when CC-enclosed eggs are isolated from the oviducts in M2-EDTA and left in this medium for a total of 5 min prior to sperm insemination. Altogether, our results establish an important advancement in mouse IVF procedures that would be now interesting to test on other mammalian species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Maurizio Zuccotti
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Lazzaro Spallanzani, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (V.M.); (S.G.)
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Cavalera F, Zanoni M, Merico V, Sacchi L, Bellazzi R, Garagna S, Zuccotti M. Chromatin organization and timing of polar body I extrusion identify developmentally competent mouse oocytes. Int J Dev Biol 2020; 63:245-251. [PMID: 31058301 DOI: 10.1387/ijdb.180362sg] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
In the mouse, the use of the DNA-binding fluorochrome Hoechst 33342 allows the classification of fully-grown antral oocytes into two categories distinguished by their chromatin conformation: surrounding nucleolus (SN) and not-surrounding nucleolus (NSN) oocytes, the former capable of completing development, the latter unable to proceed beyond the 2-cell stage. In the present study, time-lapse observation of SN and NSN oocyte GV-to-MII transition highlighted differences in the timing of germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and polar body I (PB-I) extrusion. PB-I extrusion, but not GVBD, revealed the presence of three main groups of significantly different oocytes: Group A (456-576 min) comprising mainly SN oocytes (91.4%), group B (584-728 min) entailing an almost equivalent percentage of SN (52.7%) and NSN (47.3%) oocytes, whereas group C (736-896 min) consisting of almost all NSN (94.4%) oocytes. In a further set of time-lapse experiments, GV oocytes were in vitro matured without Hoechst staining and, depending on the timing of PB-I extrusion, sorted into group A, B or C, inseminated with sperm and observed throughout preimplantation. The results show that 26.2 ± 12.3% of group A, 2.4 ± 5.0% of group B and none of group C MII oocytes developed to blastocyst. Overall, this study shows that SN oocytes that complete MI earlier are those with a better developmental competence. The possibility to avoid the use of the invasive DNA-binding fluorochrome Hoechst is relevant for future applications in human and domestic animal reproductive technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Cavalera
- Laboratorio di Biologia dello Sviluppo, Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Lazzaro Spallanzani", Pavia, Italy
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Rossi LF, Nottola S, Miglietta S, Macchiarelli G, Luaces JP, Merico V, Merani S, Garagna S, Zuccotti M. Germ cell cysts, a fetal feature in mammals, are constitutively present in the adult armadillo. Mol Reprod Dev 2019; 87:91-101. [DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Luis Francisco Rossi
- Laboratorio de Biología Cromosómica, Facultad de MedicinaUniversidad de Buenos AiresBuenos Aires Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y TécnicasBuenos Aires Argentina
| | - Stefania Nottola
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, Forensic Medicine and OrthopedicsUniversity of Rome La SapienzaRome Italy
| | - Selenia Miglietta
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, Forensic Medicine and OrthopedicsUniversity of Rome La SapienzaRome Italy
| | - Guido Macchiarelli
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental SciencesUniversity of L'aquilaL'aquila Italy
| | - Juan Pablo Luaces
- Laboratorio de Biología Cromosómica, Facultad de MedicinaUniversidad de Buenos AiresBuenos Aires Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y TécnicasBuenos Aires Argentina
| | - Valeria Merico
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “Lazzaro Spallanzani,”University of PaviaPavia Italy
- Centre for Health TechnologyUniversity of PaviaPavia Italy
| | - Susana Merani
- Laboratorio de Biología Cromosómica, Facultad de MedicinaUniversidad de Buenos AiresBuenos Aires Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y TécnicasBuenos Aires Argentina
| | - Silvia Garagna
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “Lazzaro Spallanzani,”University of PaviaPavia Italy
- Centre for Health TechnologyUniversity of PaviaPavia Italy
| | - Maurizio Zuccotti
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “Lazzaro Spallanzani,”University of PaviaPavia Italy
- Centre for Health TechnologyUniversity of PaviaPavia Italy
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Cavalera F, Simovic M, Zanoni M, Merico V, Garagna S, Zuccotti M. IVM of mouse fully grown germinal vesicle oocytes upon a feeder layer of selected cumulus cells enhances their developmental competence. Reprod Fertil Dev 2019; 31:1068-1077. [PMID: 30922442 DOI: 10.1071/rd18444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In the ovary, acquisition of oocyte developmental competence depends on a bidirectional exchange between the gamete and its companion cumulus cells (CCs). In this study we investigated the contribution of CCs surrounding oocytes of known developmental competence or incompetence to the acquisition of oocyte developmental competence. To this end, feeder layers of CCs (FL-CCs) were prepared using CCs isolated either from: (1) developmentally competent mouse oocytes whose nucleolus was surrounded by a chromatin ring (FL-SN-CCs); or (2) developmentally incompetent mouse oocytes whose nucleolus was not surrounded by a chromatin ring (FL-NSN-CCs). Denuded, fully grown oocytes (DOs) were matured to the MII stage on either FL-SN-CCs or FL-NSN-CCs, inseminated with spermatozoa and cultured throughout preimplantation development. FL-SN-CCs significantly improved the acquisition of oocyte developmental competence, with a blastocyst development rate equal to that for maturation of intact cumulus-oocyte-complexes. In contrast, DOs matured on FL-NSN-CCs or in the absence of CCs exhibited developmental failure, with embryos arresting at either the 4-cell or morula stage. These results set a culture platform to further improve the protocols for the maturation of DOs and to unravel the molecules involved in the cross-talk between the gamete and its companion CCs during the germinal vesicle to MII transition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Cavalera
- Laboratorio di Biologia dello Sviluppo, Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie 'Lazzaro Spallanzani', University of Pavia, Via Ferrata, 9, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Milena Simovic
- Laboratorio di Biologia dello Sviluppo, Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie 'Lazzaro Spallanzani', University of Pavia, Via Ferrata, 9, 27100 Pavia, Italy; and German Cancer Research Center, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Mario Zanoni
- Laboratorio di Biologia dello Sviluppo, Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie 'Lazzaro Spallanzani', University of Pavia, Via Ferrata, 9, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Valeria Merico
- Laboratorio di Biologia dello Sviluppo, Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie 'Lazzaro Spallanzani', University of Pavia, Via Ferrata, 9, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Silvia Garagna
- Laboratorio di Biologia dello Sviluppo, Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie 'Lazzaro Spallanzani', University of Pavia, Via Ferrata, 9, 27100 Pavia, Italy; and Corresponding authors. ;
| | - Maurizio Zuccotti
- Laboratorio di Biologia dello Sviluppo, Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie 'Lazzaro Spallanzani', University of Pavia, Via Ferrata, 9, 27100 Pavia, Italy; and Corresponding authors. ;
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Cavalera F, Zanoni M, Merico V, Bui TTH, Belli M, Fassina L, Garagna S, Zuccotti M. A Neural Network-Based Identification of Developmentally Competent or Incompetent Mouse Fully-Grown Oocytes. J Vis Exp 2018. [PMID: 29553524 DOI: 10.3791/56668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Infertility clinics would benefit from the ability to select developmentally competent vs. incompetent oocytes using non-invasive procedures, thus improving the overall pregnancy outcome. We recently developed a classification method based on microscopic live observations of mouse oocytes during their in vitro maturation from the germinal vesicle (GV) to the metaphase II stage, followed by the analysis of the cytoplasmic movements occurring during this time-lapse period. Here, we present detailed protocols of this procedure. Oocytes are isolated from fully-grown antral follicles and cultured for 15 h inside a microscope equipped for time-lapse analysis at 37 °C and 5% CO2. Pictures are taken at 8 min intervals. The images are analyzed using the Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) method that calculates, for each oocyte, the profile of Cytoplasmic Movement Velocities (CMVs) occurring throughout the culture period. Finally, the CMVs of each single oocyte are fed through a mathematical classification tool (Feed-forward Artificial Neural Network, FANN), which predicts the probability of a gamete to be developmentally competent or incompetent with an accuracy of 91.03%. This protocol, set up for the mouse, could now be tested on oocytes of other species, including humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Cavalera
- Laboratorio di Biologia dello Sviluppo, Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Lazzaro Spallanzani", University of Pavia
| | - Mario Zanoni
- Laboratorio di Biologia dello Sviluppo, Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Lazzaro Spallanzani", University of Pavia
| | - Valeria Merico
- Laboratorio di Biologia dello Sviluppo, Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Lazzaro Spallanzani", University of Pavia
| | - Thi Thu Hien Bui
- Laboratorio di Biologia dello Sviluppo, Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Lazzaro Spallanzani", University of Pavia; Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki
| | - Martina Belli
- Laboratorio di Biologia dello Sviluppo, Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Lazzaro Spallanzani", University of Pavia; Department of Reproductive Medicine, University of California San Diego
| | - Lorenzo Fassina
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale e dell'Informazione, University of Pavia
| | - Silvia Garagna
- Laboratorio di Biologia dello Sviluppo, Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Lazzaro Spallanzani", University of Pavia
| | - Maurizio Zuccotti
- Laboratorio di Biologia dello Sviluppo, Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Lazzaro Spallanzani", University of Pavia;
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Vigone G, Merico V, Redi CA, Mazzini G, Garagna S, Zuccotti M. FSH and LH receptors are differentially expressed in cumulus cells surrounding developmentally competent and incompetent mouse fully grown antral oocytes. Reprod Fertil Dev 2017; 27:497-503. [PMID: 24476692 DOI: 10.1071/rd13251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2013] [Accepted: 12/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cumulus cells (CCs) maintain strict functional relationships with the enclosed antral oocyte and are thought to reflect its developmental competence. Several studies have described a correlation between CC gene expression and oocyte quality. Herein, we tested whether CC-specific FSH and LH receptors (FSHR and LHR, respectively) are differentially expressed in CCs enclosing developmentally competent or incompetent oocytes. To this end, mouse fully grown cumulus-oocyte complexes were isolated and their CCs and oocytes analysed separately. Based on their chromatin organisation, oocytes were classified as those with a surrounded nucleolus (SN) or a non-surrounded nucleolus (NSN), the former being developmentally competent, whereas the latter arrest at the 2-cell stage. The CCs were then analysed to compare the pattern of expression of the Fshr and Lhr genes and their proteins. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that only Lhr is significantly differentially expressed. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed that both FSHR and LHR proteins are significantly upregulated in CCs surrounding oocytes arrested at the 2-cell stage, reflecting their developmental incompetence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Vigone
- Laboratorio di Biologia dello Sviluppo, Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie 'Lazzaro Spallanzani', Università degli Studi di Pavia, Via Ferrata 9, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Valeria Merico
- Laboratorio di Biologia dello Sviluppo, Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie 'Lazzaro Spallanzani', Università degli Studi di Pavia, Via Ferrata 9, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Carlo Alberto Redi
- Laboratorio di Biologia dello Sviluppo, Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie 'Lazzaro Spallanzani', Università degli Studi di Pavia, Via Ferrata 9, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Giuliano Mazzini
- Istituto di Genetica Molecolare-Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Ferrata 9, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Silvia Garagna
- Laboratorio di Biologia dello Sviluppo, Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie 'Lazzaro Spallanzani', Università degli Studi di Pavia, Via Ferrata 9, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Maurizio Zuccotti
- Sezione di Anatomia, Istologia ed Embriologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Biotecnologiche e Traslazionali, Università degli Studi di Parma, Via Gramsci 14, 43126 Parma, Italy
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11
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Bui TTH, Belli M, Fassina L, Vigone G, Merico V, Garagna S, Zuccotti M. Cytoplasmic movement profiles of mouse surrounding nucleolus and not-surrounding nucleolus antral oocytes during meiotic resumption. Mol Reprod Dev 2017; 84:356-362. [PMID: 28233368 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2016] [Accepted: 02/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Full-grown mouse antral oocytes are classified as surrounding nucleolus (SN) or not-surrounding nucleolus (NSN), depending on the respective presence or absence of a ring of Hoechst-positive chromatin surrounding the nucleolus. In culture, both types of oocytes resume meiosis and reach the metaphase II (MII) stage, but following insemination, NSN oocytes arrest at the two-cell stage whereas SN oocytes may develop to term. By coupling time-lapse bright-field microscopy with image analysis based on particle image velocimetry, we provide the first systematic measure of the changes to the cytoplasmic movement velocity (CMV) occurring during the germinal vesicle-to-MII (GV-to-MII) transition of these two types of oocytes. Compared to SN oocytes, NSN oocytes display a delayed GV-to-MII transition, which can be mostly explained by retarded germinal vesicle break down and first polar body extrusion. SN and NSN oocytes also exhibit significantly different CMV profiles at four main time-lapse intervals, although this difference was not predictive of SN or NSN oocyte origin because of the high variability in CMV. When CMV profile was analyzed through a trained artificial neural network, however, each single SN or NSN oocyte was blindly identified with a probability of 92.2% and 88.7%, respectively. Thus, the CMV profile recorded during meiotic resumption may be exploited as a cytological signature for the non-invasive assessment of the oocyte developmental potential, and could be informative for the analysis of the GV-to-MII transition of oocytes of other species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thi Thu Hien Bui
- Laboratorio di Biologia dello Sviluppo, Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Lazzaro Spallanzani", University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Martina Belli
- Laboratorio di Biologia dello Sviluppo, Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Lazzaro Spallanzani", University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Fassina
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale e dell'Informazione, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.,Centre for Health Technologies (C.H.T.), University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Giulia Vigone
- Laboratorio di Biologia dello Sviluppo, Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Lazzaro Spallanzani", University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Valeria Merico
- Laboratorio di Biologia dello Sviluppo, Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Lazzaro Spallanzani", University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Silvia Garagna
- Laboratorio di Biologia dello Sviluppo, Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Lazzaro Spallanzani", University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.,Centre for Health Technologies (C.H.T.), University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Maurizio Zuccotti
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
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Giménez MD, Förster DW, Jones EP, Jóhannesdóttir F, Gabriel SI, Panithanarak T, Scascitelli M, Merico V, Garagna S, Searle JB, Hauffe HC. A Half-Century of Studies on a Chromosomal Hybrid Zone of the House Mouse. J Hered 2016; 108:25-35. [PMID: 27729448 DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esw061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2016] [Accepted: 09/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The first natural chromosomal variation in the house mouse was described nearly 50 years ago in Val Poschiavo on the Swiss side of the Swiss-Italian border in the Central Eastern Alps. Studies have extended into neighboring Valtellina, and the house mice of the Poschiavo-Valtellina area have been subject to detailed analysis, reviewed here. The maximum extent of this area is 70 km, yet it has 4 metacentric races and the standard 40-chromosome telocentric race distributed in a patchwork fashion. The metacentric races are characterized by highly reduced diploid numbers (2n = 22-26) resulting from Robertsonian fusions, perhaps modified by whole-arm reciprocal translocations. The races hybridize and the whole Poschiavo-Valtellina area can be considered a "hybrid zone." The studies of this area have provided insights into origin of races within hybrid zones, gene flow within hybrid zones and the possibility of speciation in hybrid zones. This provides a case study of how chromosomal rearrangements may impact the genetic structure of populations and their diversification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mabel D Giménez
- From the Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK (Giménez, Förster, Jones, Jóhannesdóttir, Gabriel, Panithanarak, Scascitelli, Searle, and Hauffe); Instituto de Biología Subtropical (UNaM-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Químicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Misiones, Misiones, Argentina (Giménez); Department of Evolutionary Genetics, Leibniz-Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany (Förster); Fera Science, York, UK (Jones); Department of Ecology and Evolution, Corson Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-2701 (Jóhannesdóttir and Searle); CESAM-Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal (Gabriel); Institute of Marine Science, Burapha University, Chonburi, Thailand (Panithanarak); Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Lazzaro Spallanzani", University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy (Merico and Garagna); and Department of Biodiversity and Molecular Ecology, Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, S. Michele all'Adige (TN), Italy (Hauffe)
| | - Daniel W Förster
- From the Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK (Giménez, Förster, Jones, Jóhannesdóttir, Gabriel, Panithanarak, Scascitelli, Searle, and Hauffe); Instituto de Biología Subtropical (UNaM-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Químicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Misiones, Misiones, Argentina (Giménez); Department of Evolutionary Genetics, Leibniz-Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany (Förster); Fera Science, York, UK (Jones); Department of Ecology and Evolution, Corson Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-2701 (Jóhannesdóttir and Searle); CESAM-Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal (Gabriel); Institute of Marine Science, Burapha University, Chonburi, Thailand (Panithanarak); Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Lazzaro Spallanzani", University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy (Merico and Garagna); and Department of Biodiversity and Molecular Ecology, Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, S. Michele all'Adige (TN), Italy (Hauffe)
| | - Eleanor P Jones
- From the Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK (Giménez, Förster, Jones, Jóhannesdóttir, Gabriel, Panithanarak, Scascitelli, Searle, and Hauffe); Instituto de Biología Subtropical (UNaM-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Químicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Misiones, Misiones, Argentina (Giménez); Department of Evolutionary Genetics, Leibniz-Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany (Förster); Fera Science, York, UK (Jones); Department of Ecology and Evolution, Corson Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-2701 (Jóhannesdóttir and Searle); CESAM-Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal (Gabriel); Institute of Marine Science, Burapha University, Chonburi, Thailand (Panithanarak); Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Lazzaro Spallanzani", University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy (Merico and Garagna); and Department of Biodiversity and Molecular Ecology, Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, S. Michele all'Adige (TN), Italy (Hauffe)
| | - Fríða Jóhannesdóttir
- From the Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK (Giménez, Förster, Jones, Jóhannesdóttir, Gabriel, Panithanarak, Scascitelli, Searle, and Hauffe); Instituto de Biología Subtropical (UNaM-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Químicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Misiones, Misiones, Argentina (Giménez); Department of Evolutionary Genetics, Leibniz-Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany (Förster); Fera Science, York, UK (Jones); Department of Ecology and Evolution, Corson Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-2701 (Jóhannesdóttir and Searle); CESAM-Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal (Gabriel); Institute of Marine Science, Burapha University, Chonburi, Thailand (Panithanarak); Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Lazzaro Spallanzani", University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy (Merico and Garagna); and Department of Biodiversity and Molecular Ecology, Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, S. Michele all'Adige (TN), Italy (Hauffe)
| | - Sofia I Gabriel
- From the Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK (Giménez, Förster, Jones, Jóhannesdóttir, Gabriel, Panithanarak, Scascitelli, Searle, and Hauffe); Instituto de Biología Subtropical (UNaM-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Químicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Misiones, Misiones, Argentina (Giménez); Department of Evolutionary Genetics, Leibniz-Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany (Förster); Fera Science, York, UK (Jones); Department of Ecology and Evolution, Corson Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-2701 (Jóhannesdóttir and Searle); CESAM-Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal (Gabriel); Institute of Marine Science, Burapha University, Chonburi, Thailand (Panithanarak); Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Lazzaro Spallanzani", University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy (Merico and Garagna); and Department of Biodiversity and Molecular Ecology, Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, S. Michele all'Adige (TN), Italy (Hauffe)
| | - Thadsin Panithanarak
- From the Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK (Giménez, Förster, Jones, Jóhannesdóttir, Gabriel, Panithanarak, Scascitelli, Searle, and Hauffe); Instituto de Biología Subtropical (UNaM-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Químicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Misiones, Misiones, Argentina (Giménez); Department of Evolutionary Genetics, Leibniz-Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany (Förster); Fera Science, York, UK (Jones); Department of Ecology and Evolution, Corson Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-2701 (Jóhannesdóttir and Searle); CESAM-Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal (Gabriel); Institute of Marine Science, Burapha University, Chonburi, Thailand (Panithanarak); Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Lazzaro Spallanzani", University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy (Merico and Garagna); and Department of Biodiversity and Molecular Ecology, Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, S. Michele all'Adige (TN), Italy (Hauffe)
| | - Moira Scascitelli
- From the Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK (Giménez, Förster, Jones, Jóhannesdóttir, Gabriel, Panithanarak, Scascitelli, Searle, and Hauffe); Instituto de Biología Subtropical (UNaM-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Químicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Misiones, Misiones, Argentina (Giménez); Department of Evolutionary Genetics, Leibniz-Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany (Förster); Fera Science, York, UK (Jones); Department of Ecology and Evolution, Corson Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-2701 (Jóhannesdóttir and Searle); CESAM-Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal (Gabriel); Institute of Marine Science, Burapha University, Chonburi, Thailand (Panithanarak); Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Lazzaro Spallanzani", University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy (Merico and Garagna); and Department of Biodiversity and Molecular Ecology, Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, S. Michele all'Adige (TN), Italy (Hauffe)
| | - Valeria Merico
- From the Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK (Giménez, Förster, Jones, Jóhannesdóttir, Gabriel, Panithanarak, Scascitelli, Searle, and Hauffe); Instituto de Biología Subtropical (UNaM-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Químicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Misiones, Misiones, Argentina (Giménez); Department of Evolutionary Genetics, Leibniz-Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany (Förster); Fera Science, York, UK (Jones); Department of Ecology and Evolution, Corson Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-2701 (Jóhannesdóttir and Searle); CESAM-Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal (Gabriel); Institute of Marine Science, Burapha University, Chonburi, Thailand (Panithanarak); Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Lazzaro Spallanzani", University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy (Merico and Garagna); and Department of Biodiversity and Molecular Ecology, Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, S. Michele all'Adige (TN), Italy (Hauffe)
| | - Silvia Garagna
- From the Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK (Giménez, Förster, Jones, Jóhannesdóttir, Gabriel, Panithanarak, Scascitelli, Searle, and Hauffe); Instituto de Biología Subtropical (UNaM-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Químicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Misiones, Misiones, Argentina (Giménez); Department of Evolutionary Genetics, Leibniz-Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany (Förster); Fera Science, York, UK (Jones); Department of Ecology and Evolution, Corson Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-2701 (Jóhannesdóttir and Searle); CESAM-Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal (Gabriel); Institute of Marine Science, Burapha University, Chonburi, Thailand (Panithanarak); Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Lazzaro Spallanzani", University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy (Merico and Garagna); and Department of Biodiversity and Molecular Ecology, Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, S. Michele all'Adige (TN), Italy (Hauffe)
| | - Jeremy B Searle
- From the Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK (Giménez, Förster, Jones, Jóhannesdóttir, Gabriel, Panithanarak, Scascitelli, Searle, and Hauffe); Instituto de Biología Subtropical (UNaM-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Químicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Misiones, Misiones, Argentina (Giménez); Department of Evolutionary Genetics, Leibniz-Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany (Förster); Fera Science, York, UK (Jones); Department of Ecology and Evolution, Corson Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-2701 (Jóhannesdóttir and Searle); CESAM-Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal (Gabriel); Institute of Marine Science, Burapha University, Chonburi, Thailand (Panithanarak); Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Lazzaro Spallanzani", University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy (Merico and Garagna); and Department of Biodiversity and Molecular Ecology, Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, S. Michele all'Adige (TN), Italy (Hauffe)
| | - Heidi C Hauffe
- From the Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK (Giménez, Förster, Jones, Jóhannesdóttir, Gabriel, Panithanarak, Scascitelli, Searle, and Hauffe); Instituto de Biología Subtropical (UNaM-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Químicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Misiones, Misiones, Argentina (Giménez); Department of Evolutionary Genetics, Leibniz-Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany (Förster); Fera Science, York, UK (Jones); Department of Ecology and Evolution, Corson Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-2701 (Jóhannesdóttir and Searle); CESAM-Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal (Gabriel); Institute of Marine Science, Burapha University, Chonburi, Thailand (Panithanarak); Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Lazzaro Spallanzani", University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy (Merico and Garagna); and Department of Biodiversity and Molecular Ecology, Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, S. Michele all'Adige (TN), Italy (Hauffe)
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Terzaghi L, Tessaro I, Raucci F, Merico V, Mazzini G, Garagna S, Zuccotti M, Franciosi F, Lodde V. PGRMC1 participates in late events of bovine granulosa cells mitosis and oocyte meiosis. Cell Cycle 2016; 15:2019-32. [PMID: 27260975 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2016.1192731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Progesterone Receptor Membrane Component 1 (PGRMC1) is expressed in both oocyte and ovarian somatic cells, where it is found in multiple cellular sub-compartments including the mitotic spindle apparatus. PGRMC1 localization in the maturing bovine oocytes mirrors its localization in mitotic cells, suggesting a possible common action in mitosis and meiosis. To test the hypothesis that altering PGRMC1 activity leads to similar defects in mitosis and meiosis, PGRMC1 function was perturbed in cultured bovine granulosa cells (bGC) and maturing oocytes and the effect on mitotic and meiotic progression assessed. RNA interference-mediated PGRMC1 silencing in bGC significantly reduced cell proliferation, with a concomitant increase in the percentage of cells arrested at G2/M phase, which is consistent with an arrested or prolonged M-phase. This observation was confirmed by time-lapse imaging that revealed defects in late karyokinesis. In agreement with a role during late mitotic events, a direct interaction between PGRMC1 and Aurora Kinase B (AURKB) was observed in the central spindle at of dividing cells. Similarly, treatment with the PGRMC1 inhibitor AG205 or PGRMC1 silencing in the oocyte impaired completion of meiosis I. Specifically the ability of the oocyte to extrude the first polar body was significantly impaired while meiotic figures aberration and chromatin scattering within the ooplasm increased. Finally, analysis of PGRMC1 and AURKB localization in AG205-treated oocytes confirmed an altered localization of both proteins when meiotic errors occur. The present findings demonstrate that PGRMC1 participates in late events of both mammalian mitosis and oocyte meiosis, consistent with PGRMC1's localization at the mid-zone and mid-body of the mitotic and meiotic spindle.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Terzaghi
- a Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Health , Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan , Milan , Italy
| | - I Tessaro
- a Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Health , Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan , Milan , Italy
| | - F Raucci
- a Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Health , Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan , Milan , Italy
| | - V Merico
- b Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Lazzaro Spallanzani," University of Pavia , Pavia , Italy
| | - G Mazzini
- c Istituto di Genetica Molecolare - Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche , Pavia , Italy
| | - S Garagna
- b Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Lazzaro Spallanzani," University of Pavia , Pavia , Italy
| | - M Zuccotti
- d Sezione di Anatomia, Istologia ed Embriologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche , Biotecnologiche e Traslazionali (S.Bi.Bi.T.), University of Parma , Italy
| | - F Franciosi
- a Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Health , Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan , Milan , Italy
| | - V Lodde
- a Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Health , Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan , Milan , Italy
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Dorati R, Genta I, Ferrari M, Vigone G, Merico V, Garagna S, Zuccotti M, Conti B. Formulation and stability evaluation of 3D alginate beads potentially useful for cumulus–oocyte complexes culture. J Microencapsul 2016; 33:137-45. [DOI: 10.3109/02652048.2015.1134691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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Medarde N, Merico V, López-Fuster MJ, Zuccotti M, Garagna S, Ventura J. Impact of the number of Robertsonian chromosomes on germ cell death in wild male house mice. Chromosome Res 2015; 23:159-69. [PMID: 25589476 DOI: 10.1007/s10577-014-9442-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2014] [Revised: 10/06/2014] [Accepted: 10/14/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies in the house mouse have shown that the presence of Robertsonian (Rb) metacentric chromosomes in heterozygous condition affects the process of spermatogenesis. This detrimental effect mainly depends on the number of metacentrics involved and the complexity of the resulting meiotic figures. In this study, we aimed at elucidating the relationship between the chromosomal composition and spermatogenesis impairment in mice present in an area of chromosomal polymorphism (the so-called Barcelona system BRbS) in which Rb mice are surrounded by all acrocentric animals, no established metacentric races are present and the level of structural heterozygosity is relatively low. Using the terminal deoxinucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) assay, we report higher frequency of apoptotic spermatogenetic cells in mice carrying six pairs of metacentrics at the homozygous state than in those carrying two or three fusions at the heterozygous state. Specifically, we detected a higher frequency of TUNEL-positive (T+) tubules and of T+ cells per tubule cross section and also a lower spermatid/spermatocyte ratio. These results indicate that the number of metacentrics at the homozygous state is more influential in determining apoptotic germ cell death than that of moderate chromosome heterozygosity. The percentage of germ cell death lower than 50 % found in our samples and the geographic distribution of the set of metacentrics within the BRbS indicate that although the spermatogenic alterations detected in this area could act as a partial barrier to gene flow, they are not sufficient to prevent Rb chromosomes from spreading in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuria Medarde
- Departament de Biologia Animal, de Biologia Vegetal i d'Ecologia, Facultat de Biociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain,
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Zuccotti M, Merico V, Rebuzzini P, Belli M, Vigone G, Mulas F, Fassina L, Wruck W, Adjaye J, Bellazzi R, Garagna S. 3D culture of ovarian follicles: a system towards their engineering? Int J Dev Biol 2015; 59:211-6. [DOI: 10.1387/ijdb.150172mz] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Luaces JP, Rossi LF, Sciurano RB, Rebuzzini P, Merico V, Zuccotti M, Merani MS, Garagna S. Loss of Sertoli-germ cell adhesion determines the rapid germ cell elimination during the seasonal regression of the seminiferous epithelium of the large hairy armadillo Chaetophractus villosus. Biol Reprod 2014; 90:48. [PMID: 24451984 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.113.113118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The armadillo Chaetophractus villosus is a seasonal breeder whose seminiferous epithelium undergoes rapid regression with massive germ cell loss, leaving the tubules with only Sertoli cells and spermatogonia. Here, we addressed the question of whether this regression entails 1) the disassembly of cell junctions (immunolocalization of nectin-3, Cadm1, N-cadherin, and beta-catenin, and transmission electron microscopy [TEM]); 2) apoptosis (immunolocalization of cytochrome c and caspase 3; TUNEL assay); and 3) the involvement of Sertoli cells in germ cell phagocytosis (TEM). We showed a dramatic reduction in the extension of vimentin filaments associated with desmosomelike junctions at the interface between Sertoli and germ cells, and an increased diffusion of the immunosignals of nectin-3, Cadm1, N-cadherin, and beta-catenin. Together, these results suggest loss of Sertoli-germ cell adhesion, which in turn might determine postmeiotic cell sloughing at the beginning of epithelium regression. Then, loss of Sertoli-germ cell adhesion triggers cell death. Cytochrome c is released from mitochondria, but although postmeiotic cells were negative for late apoptotic markers, at advanced regression spermatocytes were positive for all apoptotic markers. Transmission electron microscopy analysis showed cytoplasmic engulfment of cell debris and lipid droplets within Sertoli cells, a sign of their phagocytic activity, which contributes to the elimination of the residual meiocytes still present in the latest regression phases. These findings are novel and add new players to the mechanisms of seminiferous epithelium regression occurring in seasonal breeders, and they introduce the armadillo as an interesting model for studying seasonal spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Pablo Luaces
- Laboratorio de Biología Cromosómica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Merico V, Giménez MD, Vasco C, Zuccotti M, Searle JB, Hauffe HC, Garagna S. Chromosomal speciation in mice: a cytogenetic analysis of recombination. Chromosome Res 2013; 21:523-33. [PMID: 23963733 DOI: 10.1007/s10577-013-9377-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2013] [Revised: 07/25/2013] [Accepted: 07/29/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Within species, populations differing by chromosomal rearrangements ("chromosomal races") may become reproductively isolated in association with reduced hybrid fertility due to meiotic aberrations. Speciation is also possible if hybridizing chromosomal races accumulate genetic differences because of reduced meiotic recombination in the heterozygous configuration in hybrids. Here, we examine recombination in pure races and hybrids within a model system for chromosomal speciation: the hybridization of the Poschiavo (CHPO) and Upper Valtellina (IUVA) chromosomal races of house mouse in Upper Valtellina, Italy. These races differ by Robertsonian fusions/whole-arm reciprocal translocations, such that hybrids produce a pentavalent meiotic configuration. We determined the number and position of the recombination points (using an antibody against the MutL homolog 1 [MLH1] protein) on synaptonemal complexes at pachytene in laboratory-reared CHPO, IUVA, and hybrid males, analyzing at least 112 spermatocytes per karyotypic group, up to a total of 534 spermatocytes. The mean ± standard deviation numbers of MLH1 foci per spermatocyte were 22.2 ± 3.2, 20.1 ± 2.9, 20.7 ± 2.3, and 21.9 ± 2.9 for CHPO, IUVA, CHPO × IUVA, and IUVA × CHPO, respectively. Altogether, 10,146 chromosome arms were examined, allowing multiple comparisons. Overall, recombination events were more frequently distal than proximal or interstitial. The average number of proximal MLH1 foci per chromosome arm decreased going from telocentric to metacentric bivalents to pentavalents (when present), which (together with other factors) influenced the average number of MLH1 foci per cell between CHPO, IUVA, and hybrid mice. The low frequency of proximal recombination in pentavalents of CHPO-IUVA hybrids may promote reproductive isolation between the CHPO and IUVA races, when coupled with reduced hybrid unfitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Merico
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie Lazzaro Spallanzani, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 9, 27100, Pavia, Italy
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Zuccotti M, Merico V, Belli M, Mulas F, Sacchi L, Zupan B, Redi CA, Prigione A, Adjaye J, Bellazzi R, Garagna S. OCT4 and the acquisition of oocyte developmental competence during folliculogenesis. Int J Dev Biol 2013; 56:853-8. [PMID: 23417407 DOI: 10.1387/ijdb.120174mz] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The role that the transcription factor OCT4 plays during oocyte growth is yet unknown. In this review, we summarise the data on its potential role in the acquisition of oocyte developmental competence in the mouse. These studies describe the presence in MII oocytes and 2-cell embryos of an OCT4 transcriptional network that might be part of the molecular signature of maternal origin on which the inner cell mass and the embryonic stem cell-associated pluripotency is assembled and shaped. The Oct4-gene regulatory network thus provides a connection between eggs, early preimplantation embryos and embryonic stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Zuccotti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Biotecnologiche e Traslazionali, Universitá degli Studi di Parma, Via Volturno 39, Parma, Italy.
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Zacchino M, Almolla J, Canepari E, Merico V, Calliada F. Use of ultrasound-magnetic resonance image fusion to guide sacroiliac joint injections: a preliminary assessment. J Ultrasound 2013; 16:111-8. [PMID: 24432160 DOI: 10.1007/s40477-013-0028-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2013] [Accepted: 07/12/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The sacroiliac joint is one of the sources of chronic lower back pain. Intra-articular injections of anesthetic drugs and/or steroids are currently used in these cases for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. However, given the anatomic and functional complexity of the joint, imaging guidance is mandatory during such procedures. In this context, the technique of fusing images obtained with two different modalities can often overcome the limitations and enhance the advantages of single-modality guidance. AIM The aim of this study was to evaluate the technique of ultrasound (US)-magnetic resonance (MR) image fusion to guide intra-articular injections of drugs into the sacroiliac joint. MATERIALS AND METHODS We evaluated seven sacroiliac joints in six patients with sacroiliac pain syndrome (four females, two males; mean age 59 years; range 46-76 years). Five were candidates for radiofrequency thermolysis, and a therapeutic nerve block was performed in the sixth. Using the volume navigation system, we fused three-dimensional MR images with simultaneously acquired real-time ultrasound images and used them to guide the intra-articular injections. RESULTS In all patients, spatial accuracy was considered excellent, with definition of registration errors of less than 3 mm. The diagnostic blocks produced positive results in all patients with 80 % reductions in pain (measured with a Numerical Rating Scale, NRS) relative to baseline. The patient who underwent the therapeutic nerve block experienced complete resolution of symptoms that has been maintained over time. There were no complications. CONCLUSIONS US-MR imaging fusion guidance of sacroiliac joint injections is feasible and effective, in accordance with the data in the literature. The use of the MR for three-dimensional imaging eliminates the risk of radiation exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Zacchino
- IRCCS Foundation, San Matteo Medical Center, Institute of Radiology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - J Almolla
- IRCCS Foundation, San Matteo Medical Center, Institute of Radiology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - E Canepari
- IRCCS Foundation, San Matteo Medical Center, Institute of Radiology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - V Merico
- IRCCS Foundation, San Matteo Medical Center, Institute of Radiology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - F Calliada
- IRCCS Foundation, San Matteo Medical Center, Institute of Radiology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
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Vigone G, Merico V, Prigione A, Mulas F, Sacchi L, Gabetta M, Bellazzi R, Redi CA, Mazzini G, Adjaye J, Garagna S, Zuccotti M. Transcriptome based identification of mouse cumulus cell markers that predict the developmental competence of their enclosed antral oocytes. BMC Genomics 2013; 14:380. [PMID: 23758669 PMCID: PMC3679864 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-14-380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2013] [Accepted: 05/30/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The cumulus cells (CCs) enveloping antral and ovulated oocytes have been regarded as putative source of non-invasive markers of the oocyte developmental competence. A number of studies have indeed observed a correlation between CCs gene expression, embryo quality, and final pregnancy outcome. Here, we isolated CCs from antral mouse oocytes of known developmental incompetence (NSN-CCs) or competence (SN-CCs) and compared their transcriptomes with the aim of identifying distinct marker transcripts. RESULTS Global gene expression analysis highlighted that both types of CCs share similar transcriptomes, with the exception of 422 genes, 97.6% of which were down-regulated in NSN-CCs vs. SN-CCs. This transcriptional down-regulation in NSN-CCs was confirmed by qRT-PCR analysis of CC-related genes (Has2, Ptx3, Tnfaip6 and Ptgs2). Only ten of the 422 genes were up-regulated with Amh being the most up-regulated in NSN-CCs, with an average 4-fold higher expression when analysed by qRT-PCR. CONCLUSIONS The developmental incompetence (NSN) or competence (SN) of antral oocytes can be predicted using transcript markers expressed by their surrounding CCs (i.e., Has2, Ptx3, Tnfaip6, Ptgs2 and Amh). Overall, the regulated nature of the group of genes brought out by whole transcriptome analysis constitutes the molecular signature of CCs associated either with developmentally incompetent or competent oocytes and may represent a valuable resource for developing new molecular tools for the assessment of oocyte quality and to further investigate the complex bi-directional interaction occurring between CCs and oocyte.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Vigone
- Laboratorio di Biologia dello Sviluppo, Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie Lazzaro Spallanzani, Universita' degli Studi di Pavia, Pavia, Italy
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Abstract
Bacterial and viral infection of the intraparotideal and periparotideal lymph nodes, or of the glandular parenchyma, can lead to inflammatory and subsequently suppurative changes, which can result in abscess formation. Sonography allows a detailed morphological evaluation of the gland and has an important value, complementary to clinical examination, in the study of parotid inflammatory diseases. Specifically, sonography defines lesion's characteristics and, in a large number of cases, also its nature and, among the various imaging techniques, it is considered first-line imaging for the evaluation of parotid abscesses, which are characterized by hypo-anechoic lesions, with irregular margins. Color Doppler signals are peripheral to the abscess. If combined with color Doppler, sonography is important not only in diagnosis, but also in the evaluation of therapeutic efficacy and as a guide to the aspiration and drainage of abscesses. The rarity of some of these lesions led us to publish this mini-pictorial essay.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Viselner
- IRCCS Foundation, San Matteo Medical Center, Institute of Radiology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
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Belli M, Cimadomo D, Merico V, Redi CA, Garagna S, Zuccotti M. The NOBOX protein becomes undetectable in developmentally competent antral and ovulated oocytes. Int J Dev Biol 2013; 57:35-9. [DOI: 10.1387/ijdb.120125mz] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Luaces JP, Rossi LF, Merico V, Zuccotti M, Redi CA, Solari AJ, Merani MS, Garagna S. Spermatogenesis is seasonal in the large hairy armadillo, Chaetophractus villosus (Dasypodidae, Xenarthra, Mammalia). Reprod Fertil Dev 2013; 25:547-57. [DOI: 10.1071/rd12127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2011] [Accepted: 04/20/2012] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Very little is known about the distinct reproductive biology of armadillos. Very few studies have investigated armadillo spermatogenesis, with data available only for Euphractus sexcinctus and Dasypus novemcinctus. In the present study, we analysed male germ cell differentiation in the large hairy armadillo Chaetophractus villosus throughout the year, describing a cycle of the seminiferous epithelium made of eight different stages. Evaluation of the testis/body mass ratio, analysis of the architecture of the seminiferous epithelium and the frequency of defective seminiferous tubules allowed identification of a temporal interruption of spermatogenesis during the period between mid-May to July (mid–end autumn) in correlation with very low testosterone levels. Overall, these results suggest that spermatogenesis is seasonal in C. villosus.
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Merico V, Zuccotti M, Carpi D, Baev D, Mulas F, Sacchi L, Bellazzi R, Pastorelli R, Redi CA, Moratti R, Garagna S, Balduini A. The genomic and proteomic blueprint of mouse megakaryocytes derived from embryonic stem cells. J Thromb Haemost 2012; 10:907-15. [PMID: 22372922 DOI: 10.1111/j.1538-7836.2012.04673.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Platelets are specialized cells, produced by megakaryocytes (MKs) in the bone marrow, which represent the first defense against hemorrhage. There are many diseases where platelet production or function is impaired, with severe consequences for patients. Therefore, new insights into the process of MK differentiation and platelet formation would have a major impact on both basic and clinical research. OBJECTIVES Embryonic stem (ES) cells represent a good in vitro model to study the differentiation of MKs, with the possibility of being genetically engineered and constituting an unlimited source of MKs. However, lack of knowledge about the molecular identity of ES-derived MKs (ES-MKs) may prevent any further development and application of this model. METHODS This paper presents the first comprehensive transcriptional and proteome profile analyses of mouse ES-MKs in comparison with MKs derived from mouse fetal liver progenitors (FL-MKs). RESULTS In ES-MKs we found a down-regulation of cytoskeleton proteins, specific transcription factors and membrane receptors at both transcriptional and protein levels. At the phenotypic level, this molecular blueprint was displayed by ES-MKs' lower polyploidy, lower nuclear/cytoplasm ratio and reduced capacity to form proplatelets and releasing platelets. CONCLUSIONS Overall our data demonstrate that ES-MKs represent a useful model to clarify many aspects of both MK physiology and pathological conditions where impaired MK functions are related to defective MK development, as in inherited thrombocytopenias and primary myelofibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Merico
- Laboratorio di Biologia dello Sviluppo, Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie Lazzaro Spallanzani, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
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Belli M, Vigone G, Merico V, Redi CA, Zuccotti M, Garagna S. Towards a 3D culture of mouse ovarian follicles. Int J Dev Biol 2012; 56:931-7. [DOI: 10.1387/ijdb.120175mz] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Zuccotti M, Merico V, Bellone M, Mulas F, Sacchi L, Rebuzzini P, Prigione A, Redi CA, Bellazzi R, Adjaye J, Garagna S. Gatekeeper of pluripotency: a common Oct4 transcriptional network operates in mouse eggs and embryonic stem cells. BMC Genomics 2011; 12:1-13. [PMID: 21729306 PMCID: PMC3154874 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-12-345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2011] [Accepted: 07/05/2011] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oct4 is a key factor of an expanded transcriptional network (Oct4-TN) that governs pluripotency and self-renewal in embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and in the inner cell mass from which ESCs are derived. A pending question is whether the establishment of the Oct4-TN initiates during oogenesis or after fertilisation. To this regard, recent evidence has shown that Oct4 controls a poorly known Oct4-TN central to the acquisition of the mouse egg developmental competence. The aim of this study was to investigate the identity and extension of this maternal Oct4-TN, as much as whether its presence is circumscribed to the egg or maintained beyond fertilisation. RESULTS By comparing the genome-wide transcriptional profile of developmentally competent eggs that express the OCT4 protein to that of developmentally incompetent eggs in which OCT4 is down-regulated, we unveiled a maternal Oct4-TN of 182 genes. Eighty of these transcripts escape post-fertilisation degradation and represent the maternal Oct4-TN inheritance that is passed on to the 2-cell embryo. Most of these 80 genes are expressed in cancer cells and 37 are notable companions of the Oct4 transcriptome in ESCs. CONCLUSIONS These results provide, for the first time, a developmental link between eggs, early preimplantation embryos and ESCs, indicating that the molecular signature that characterises the ESCs identity is rooted in oogenesis. Also, they contribute a useful resource to further study the mechanisms of Oct4 function and regulation during the maternal-to-embryo transition and to explore the link between the regulation of pluripotency and the acquisition of de-differentiation in cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Zuccotti
- Sezione di Istologia ed Embriologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Universita' degli Studi di Parma, Parma, Italy.
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Zuccotti M, Merico V, Cecconi S, Redi CA, Garagna S. What does it take to make a developmentally competent mammalian egg? Hum Reprod Update 2011; 17:525-40. [DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmr009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
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Neri T, Merico V, Fiordaliso F, Salio M, Rebuzzini P, Sacchi L, Bellazzi R, Redi CA, Zuccotti M, Garagna S. The differentiation of cardiomyocytes from mouse embryonic stem cells is altered by dioxin. Toxicol Lett 2011; 202:226-36. [PMID: 21354282 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2011.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2010] [Revised: 02/10/2011] [Accepted: 02/11/2011] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-para-dioxin (TCDD) causes abnormalities during heart development. Cardiomyocytes derived from embryonic stem (ES) cells are a robust model for the study of early cardiomyogenesis. Here, we evaluated the effects of TCDD at key stages during the differentiation of mouse ES cells into cardiomyocytes analysing: (i) the transcription of lineage differentiation (Brachyury, Nkx-2.5, Actc-1), cardiac-specific (Alpk3, cTnT, cTnI, cTnC) and detoxification phase I (Cyp1A1, Cyp1A2 and Cyp1B1) and phase II (Nqo1, Gsta1 and Ugt1a6) genes; (ii) the global gene expression; (iii) the ultrastructure of ES-derived cardiomyocytes; (iv) level of ATP production and (v) the immunolocalisation of sarcomeric α-actinin, β-myosin heavy chain and cTnT proteins. We show that TCDD affects the differentiation of ES cells into cardiomyocytes at several levels: (1) induces the expression of phase I genes; (2) down-regulates a group of heart-specific genes, some involved in the oxidative phosphorylation pathway; (3) reduces the efficiency of differentiation; (4) alters the arrangement of mitochondria, that show twisted and disrupted cristae, and of some sarcomeres, with misalignement or disarrangement of the myofibrillar organisation and (5) reduces ATP production. This study provides novel evidences that TCDD impairs cardiomyocyte differentiation. Sarcomeres and mitochondria could be a target for dioxin toxicity, their disruption representing a possible mechanism developing cardiac injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tui Neri
- Laboratorio di Biologia dello Sviluppo, Dipartimento di Biologia Animale, Universita' degli Studi di Pavia, Via Ferrata 9, 27100 Pavia, Italy
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Rodriguez V, Diaz de Barboza G, Ponce R, Merico V, Garagna S, Tolosa de Talamoni N. Spermatocyte apoptosis, which involves both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways, explains the sterility of Graomys griseoflavus x Graomys centralis male hybrids. Reprod Fertil Dev 2010; 22:478-88. [PMID: 20047733 DOI: 10.1071/rd09106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2009] [Accepted: 09/03/2009] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenic impairment and the apoptotic pathways involved in establishing sterility of male hybrids obtained from crossing Graomys griseoflavus females with Graomys centralis males were studied. Testes from G. centralis, G. griseoflavus and hybrids were compared at different ages. Terminal transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labelling assay (TUNEL), Fas, Bax and cytochrome c labelling were used for apoptosis evaluation, and calbindin D(28k) staining as an anti-apoptotic molecule. In 1-month-old animals, spermatocytes were positive for all apoptotic markers, but moderate TUNEL (+) spermatocyte frequency was only found in G. centralis. At subsequent ages, the apoptotic markers were downregulated in testes from parental cytotypes, but not in hybrid testes. TUNEL (+) spermatocytes were present at 78% and 44% per tubule cross-section in 2- and 3-month-old hybrid animals, respectively. Pachytene spermatocyte death in adult hybrids occurs via apoptosis, as revealed by high caspase-3 expression. Calbindin was highly expressed in spermatocytes of adult hybrids, in which massive cell death occurs via apoptosis. Calbindin co-localisation with TUNEL or Fas, Bax and cytochrome c was very limited, suggesting an inverse regulation of calbindin and apoptotic markers. Hybrid sterility is due to breakdown of spermatogenesis at the pachytene spermatocyte stage. Both extrinsic and intrinsic pathways are involved in apoptosis of spermatocytes, which are the most sensitive cell type to apoptotic stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Rodriguez
- Laboratorio 'Dr Cañas', Bioquimica y Biologia Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Medicas, Universidad Nacional de Cordoba, Cordoba, Argentina
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Zuccotti M, Merico V, Sacchi L, Bellone M, Brink TC, Stefanelli M, Redi CA, Bellazzi R, Adjaye J, Garagna S. Oct-4 regulates the expression of Stella and Foxj2 at the Nanog locus: implications for the developmental competence of mouse oocytes. Hum Reprod 2009; 24:2225-37. [PMID: 19477878 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dep191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Our knowledge of what determines the mammalian oocyte developmental competence is meagre. By comparing the transcriptional profiles of developmentally competent surrounded nucleolus (SN) and incompetent not surrounded nucleolus (NSN) mouse MII oocytes, we recently demonstrated that Oct-4 and Stella are key factors in the establishment of the oocytes' developmental competence. METHODS Using RT-PCR, microarray and immunocytochemistry assays, we analysed expression of genes and proteins in oocytes isolated throughout folliculogenesis and classified based on their SN- or NSN-type of chromatin organization. RESULTS We show that: (1) Oct-4 and Stella are expressed concurrently at the beginning of oocytes' growth and only in SN oocytes; (2) Germ Cell Nuclear Factor is a putative regulator of Oct-4 expression in MII oocytes; (3) the function of Oct-4 is directed at the Nanog locus, regulating the expression of Stella and Foxj2. CONCLUSIONS (1) A number of factors that act upstream and downstream of Oct-4 emerge as candidate players in the acquisition of the oocyte's developmental competence; (2) we define molecular markers that identify a specific group of ovarian oocytes (SN) that have a potential to acquire developmental competence; (3) the presence of SN and NSN oocytes in human ovaries extends the interest of these results to the field of human reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Zuccotti
- Sezione di Istologia ed Embriologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Universita' degli Studi di Parma, Via Volturno 39, 43100 Parma, Italy.
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Zuccotti M, Merico V, Redi CA, Bellazzi R, Adjaye J, Garagna S. Role of Oct-4 during acquisition of developmental competence in mouse oocyte. Reprod Biomed Online 2009; 19 Suppl 3:57-62. [DOI: 10.1016/s1472-6483(10)60284-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Merico V, de Barboza GD, Vasco C, Ponce R, Rodriguez V, Garagna S, Tolosa de Talamoni N. A mitochondrial mechanism is involved in apoptosis of Robertsonian mouse male germ cells. Reproduction 2008; 135:797-804. [PMID: 18502894 DOI: 10.1530/rep-07-0466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine whether the intrinsic mechanism of apoptosis is involved in the death of germ cells in Robertsonian (Rb) heterozygous adult male mice. Testes from 5-month-old Rb heterozygous CD1 x Milano II mice were obtained and compared with those from homozygous CD1 (2n=40) and Milano II (2n=24) mice. For histological evaluation of apoptosis, TUNEL labelling and immunohistochemistry were used to localise Bax and cytochrome c. Expression of calbindin D(28k) (CB), an anti-apoptotic molecule, was also analysed by immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting. Testicular ultrastructure was visualised by electron microscopy. Morphology and cell associations were abnormal in the Rb heterozygous seminiferous epithelium. An intense apoptotic process was observed in tubules at stage XII, mainly in metaphase spermatocytes. Metaphase spermatocytes also showed Bax and cytochrome c redistributions. Mitochondria relocated close to the paranuclear region of spermatocytes. CB was mainly expressed in metaphase spermatocytes, but also in pachytene spermatocytes, spermatids and Sertoli cells at stage XII. The co-localisation of CB and TUNEL labelling was very limited. Sixty per cent of metaphase spermatocytes were apoptotic and calbindin negative, while 40% were calbindin positive without signs of apoptosis. Ten per cent of the Bax- and cytochrome c-positive cells were also calbindin positive. These data suggest that apoptosis of the germ cells in heterozygous mice occurs, at least in part, through a mitochondrial-dependent mechanism. Calbindin overexpression might prevent or reduce the apoptosis of germ cells caused by Rb heterozygosity, which could partially explain the subfertility of these mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Merico
- Dipartimento di Biologia Animale, Università degli Studi di Pavia, Piazza Botta, 9-10, I-27100 Pavia, Italy
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Zuccotti M, Merico V, Sacchi L, Bellone M, Brink TC, Bellazzi R, Stefanelli M, Redi CA, Garagna S, Adjaye J. Maternal Oct-4 is a potential key regulator of the developmental competence of mouse oocytes. BMC Dev Biol 2008; 8:97. [PMID: 18837968 PMCID: PMC2576189 DOI: 10.1186/1471-213x-8-97] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2008] [Accepted: 10/06/2008] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Background The maternal contribution of transcripts and proteins supplied to the zygote is crucial for the progression from a gametic to an embryonic control of preimplantation development. Here we compared the transcriptional profiles of two types of mouse MII oocytes, one which is developmentally competent (MIISN oocyte), the other that ceases development at the 2-cell stage (MIINSN oocyte), with the aim of identifying genes and gene expression networks whose misregulated expression would contribute to a reduced developmental competence. Results We report that: 1) the transcription factor Oct-4 is absent in MIINSN oocytes, accounting for 2) the down-regulation of Stella, a maternal-effect factor required for the oocyte-to-embryo transition and of which Oct-4 is a positive regulator; 3) eighteen Oct-4-regulated genes are up-regulated in MIINSN oocytes and are part of gene expression networks implicated in the activation of adverse biochemical pathways such as oxidative phosphorylation, mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis. Conclusion The down-regulation of Oct-4 plays a crucial function in a sequence of molecular processes that leads to the developmental arrest of MIINSN oocytes. The use of a model study in which the MII oocyte ceases development consistently at the 2-cell stage has allowed to attribute a role to the maternal Oct-4 that has never been described before. Oct-4 emerges as a key regulator of the molecular events that govern the establishment of the developmental competence of mouse oocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Zuccotti
- Sezione di Istologia ed Embriologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Universita' degli Studi di Parma, Parma, Italy.
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Neri T, Monti M, Rebuzzini P, Merico V, Garagna S, Redi CA, Zuccotti M. Mouse Fibroblasts Are Reprogrammed to Oct-4 and Rex-1 Gene Expression and Alkaline Phosphatase Activity by Embryonic Stem Cell Extracts. Cloning and Stem Cells 2007; 9:394-406. [PMID: 17907950 DOI: 10.1089/clo.2006.0011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
A recent remarkable study has shown that when mouse NIH-3T3 fibroblasts are exposed to an embryonic stem cell (ESC) extract, the majority of them expresses the Oct-4 gene, form ESC-like colonies, and embryoid-like bodies that differentiate into cells of the three germ layers. The use of cell extracts for inducing cell dedifferentiation could be a powerful system to obtain large quantities of pluripotent cells. It is thus of crucial importance that the robustness of this method of cell transdifferentiation is tested by other laboratories before it is advanced to a more ambitious use in cell therapy programs. We report here our experimental observations using the same reprogramming protocol on STO and NIH-3T3 mouse fibroblasts. Three are the main results: first, we confirmed an enduring reprogramming activity of the ESC extract, although on a much smaller number of cells that varies from approximately 0.003 to 0.04% of the total population of fibroblasts and with an effect limited to the induction of Oct-4 and Rex-1 gene expression and alkaline phosphatase activity. Second, the expression of OCT-4, SSEA-1, and Forssman antigen proteins was never detected. Third, our work has clearly demonstrated that ESCs may survive the procedure of extract preparation, may be source of contamination that is expanded in culture and give false positive results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tui Neri
- Laboratorio di Biologia dello Sviluppo, Dipartimento di Biologia Animale, Universita' di Pavia, Italy
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Merico V, Barbieri J, Zuccotti M, Joffe B, Cremer T, Redi CA, Solovei I, Garagna S. Epigenomic differentiation in mouse preimplantation nuclei of biparental, parthenote and cloned embryos. Chromosome Res 2007; 15:341-60. [PMID: 17447149 DOI: 10.1007/s10577-007-1130-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2007] [Revised: 02/11/2007] [Accepted: 02/11/2007] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Chromosomes, sub-chromosomal regions and genes are repositioned during cell differentiation to acquire a cell-type-specific spatial organization. The constraints that are responsible for this cell-type-specific spatial genome positioning are unknown. In this study we addressed the question of whether epigenetic genome modifications may represent constraints to the acquisition of a specific nuclear organization. The organization of kinetochores, pericentric heterochromatin and the nucleolus was analysed in pre-implantation mouse embryos obtained by in-vitro fertilization (IVF), parthenogenetic activation (P) and nuclear transfer (NT) of differentiated somatic nuclei, which possess different epigenomes. Each stage of pre-implantation embryonic development is characterized by a stage-specific spatial organization of nucleoli, kinetochores and pericentric heterochromatin. Despite differences in the frequencies and the time-course of nuclear architecture reprogramming events, by the eight-cell stage P and NT embryos achieved the same distinct nuclear organization in the majority of embryos as observed for IVF embryos. At this stage the gametic or somatic nuclear architecture of IVF or P and NT embryos, respectively, is replaced by a common embryonic nuclear architecture. This finding suggests that the epigenome of the three types of embryos partially acts as a constraint of the nuclear organization of the three nuclear subcompartments analysed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Merico
- Dipartimento di Biologia Animale, Laboratorio di Biologia dello Sviluppo, Piazza Botta 9, Universita' degli Studi di Pavia, 27100, Pavia, Italy
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Abstract
The application of stem cells to regenerative medicine is one of the actual hot topics in biomedicine. This research could help the cure of a number of diseases that are affecting a large share of the population. Some good results in cell replacement have already been obtained (infarcted heart, diabetes, Parkinson disease), apart from those of more traditional applications like severe burns and blood tumors. We are now facing crucial questions in stem cell biology. One of the key questions is how a cell begins to proliferate or differentiate. Genome reprogramming, both following nuclear transfer and cytoplast action, will likely highlight some of the molecular mechanisms of cell differentiation and dedifferentiation. In turn, these clues should be useful to the production of populations of reprogrammed cells that could develop into tissues or, in the future, into proper organs. We will overview what stem cells are, what roles they play in normal developmental processes and how stem cells could have the potential to treat diseases.
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Castiglia R, Garagna S, Merico V, Oguge N, Corti M. Cytogenetics of a new cytotype of African Mus (subgenus Nannomys) minutoides (Rodentia, Muridae) from Kenya: C- and G- banding and distribution of (TTAGGG)n telomeric sequences. Chromosome Res 2006; 14:587-94. [PMID: 16823620 DOI: 10.1007/s10577-006-1054-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2006] [Revised: 03/23/2006] [Accepted: 03/23/2006] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
We present the results of a cytogenetic study on Mus (Nannomys) minutoides from Kenya by means of C- and G- banding and in-situ fluorescence hybridization (FISH) to localize the telomeric sequences. The karyotype is characterized by the occurrence of several Rb chromosomes Rb(1.X), Rb(1.Y). Rb(2.17), Rb(3.13), Rb(4.10), Rb(5.11), Rb(6.7), Rb(8.12), not previously described for this species. This finding suggests a high level of chromosomal diversification, which means it is possible to consider this cytotype as a new, well-differentiated, chromosomal lineage within the subgenus. The C-banding of the metaphases illustrated conspicuous blocks of centromeric heterochromatin at the paracentromeric regions of all telocentric chromosomes. Centromeric heterochromatin is not visible on all biarmed chromosomes. Following hybridization with telomeric probes, bright interstitial telomeric sequence (ITS) fluorescence signals are evident at the pericentromeric area of all Rb chromosomes, with the exception of Rb(2.17). Considering the localization of the C-positive heterochromatin and of the telomeric sequences, the events leading to the Kenyan cytotype from an all-telocentric condition probably included two steps: first, fusion without loss of heterochromatin and pericentromeric telomeric sequences; second, the reduction of the C-positive satellite DNA followed by the amplification of telomeric sequences in the C-negative paracentromeric region of Rb chromosomes. The presence of a single Rb(2.17) without ITS indicates possible variations of this mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Castiglia
- Dipartimento di Biologia Animale e dell'Uomo, Università di Roma La Sapienza, via A. Borelli 50, 00161, Roma, Italy.
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Garagna S, Vasco C, Merico V, Esposito A, Zuccotti M, Redi CA. Effects of a low dose of bentazon on spermatogenesis of mice exposed during foetal, postnatal and adult life. Toxicology 2005; 212:165-74. [PMID: 15953672 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2005.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2005] [Revised: 04/21/2005] [Accepted: 04/22/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Bentazon is a herbicide used to control many broadleaf weeds and sedges. Its use has improved rice production in paddy fields in Northern Italy, but as a negative consequence it is found in groundwater, the major source of drinking water. To determine whether low doses of bentazon affect spermatogenesis, it was dissolved in water at the concentration of 30 microg/L. Bentazon was administered through drinking water to: (1) adult mice for 100 days and (2) mice exposed in utero, during lactation and for 100 days after birth. The histopathological analysis of testes of treated animals showed that the frequency of defective tubules was comparable to that found in control groups. The cell associations of the 12 stages of the seminiferous epithelium were correct as well as the architecture of the epithelium. The spermatocytes/spermatids ratio was the same as in controls. However, the frequency of stages VII, IX and XII of the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium of adult mice and of stages I, III and VII of mice exposed in utero and for 100 days after birth was different when compared to that of control mice. Sperm number and morphology were not affected by the treatment. The potential genotoxic effects were evaluated on spermatozoa (Comet assay), in pachytene spermatocytes (analysis of the synaptonemal complex) and in bone marrow cells (frequency of micronuclei). None of these analyses evidenced genotoxic effects of bentazon. Although our results show that the administration of a low dose of bentazon does not impair spermatogenesis, we found alterations of the frequency of some stages of the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium in both experimental groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Garagna
- Laboratorio di Biologia dello Sviluppo, Dipartimento di Biologia Animale, Universita' degli Studi di Pavia, Piazza Botta 9, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
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Zuccotti M, Garagna S, Merico V, Monti M, Alberto Redi C. Chromatin organisation and nuclear architecture in growing mouse oocytes. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2005; 234:11-7. [PMID: 15836948 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2004.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2004] [Accepted: 08/18/2004] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Although the female gamete is blocked at the dictyate stage of the first meiotic prophase during the whole folliculogenesis, many important epigenetic changes occur to organise the genome to attend early embryonic development. In this paper, we will describe the results of a number of studies aimed to improve our understanding of the nuclear organization of the mouse oocyte during folliculogenesis. Using silver methods that stain NOR, centromeres and heterochromatin, as well as, the use of specific antibodies for the demonstration of centromeres, we have described the changes to the chromatin organisation and to the spatial localisation of chromocenters and centromeres during oocyte growth; these changes have been correlated to the developmental competence of the resulting antral and metaphase II (MII) oocyte.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Zuccotti
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Sezione di Istologia ed Embriologia, Universita' degli Studi di Parma, Via Volturno 39, 43100 Parma, Italy.
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Garagna S, Merico V, Sebastiano V, Monti M, Orlandini G, Gatti R, Scandroglio R, Redi CA, Zuccotti M. Three-dimensional localization and dynamics of centromeres in mouse oocytes during folliculogenesis. J Mol Histol 2005; 35:631-8. [PMID: 15614617 DOI: 10.1007/s10735-004-2190-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2003] [Revised: 01/19/2004] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Very little is known about oocyte nuclear architecture during folliculogenesis. Using antibodies to reveal centromeres, Hoechst-staining to detect the AT-rich pericentromeric heterochromatin (chromocenters), combined with confocal microscopy for the three-dimensional analysis of the nucleus, we demonstrate that during mouse folliculogenesis the oocyte nuclear architecture undergoes dynamic changes. In oocytes isolated from primordial and primary follicles, centromeres and chromocenters were preferentially located at the periphery of the nucleus. During oocyte growth, centromeres and chromocenters were initially found spread within the nucleus and then progressively clustered around the periphery of the nucleolus. Our results indicate that the oocyte nuclear achitecture is developmentally regulated and they contribute to a further understanding of the role of nuclear organization in the regulation of genome functioning during differentiation and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Garagna
- Laboratorio di Biologia dello Sviluppo e Centro di Eccellenza in Biologia Applicata, Universita' degli Studi di Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
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Longo F, Garagna S, Merico V, Orlandini G, Gatti R, Scandroglio R, Redi CA, Zuccotti M. Nuclear localization of NORs and centromeres in mouse oocytes during folliculogenesis. Mol Reprod Dev 2004; 66:279-90. [PMID: 14502607 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.10354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Mouse oocytes at the germinal vesicle stage are characterized by one of two nuclear morphologies: surrounded nucleolus (SN), in which the nucleolus is surrounded by a rim of Hoechst positive chromatin and not surrounded nucleolus (NSN), in which this rim is essentially absent. This morphological difference has a biological relevance as NSN oocytes are transcriptionally active, yet incapable of development beyond the two-cell stage. Whereas SN oocytes, which are transcriptionally inactive, are capable of development to the blastocyst stage. To further our understanding of the nuclear organization of the mouse oocyte during folliculogenesis, we have conducted a series of investigations employing silver methods that stain nucleolus organizer region (NOR), centromeres, and heterochromatin, as well as, specific antibodies for centromeres. Results obtained by a variety of microscopic methods (light, electron, immunochemical, and confocal) demonstrate: (1) a changing pattern of NOR staining during folliculogenesis that is specific to follicular type, and (2) significant differences in the organization of NORs and centromeres of isolated, antral NSN, and SN oocytes. These observations suggest possible means by which, chromosomes of mature, germinal vesicle oocytes are organized with respect to the nucleolus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Longo
- Laboratorio di Biologia dello Sviluppo e Centro di Eccellenza in Biologia Applicata, Universita' degli Studi di Pavia, Piazza Botta 9, Pavia, Italy
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Gentile L, Monti M, Sebastiano V, Merico V, Nicolai R, Calvani M, Garagna S, Redi CA, Zuccotti M. Single-cell quantitative RT-PCR analysis of Cpt1b and Cpt2 gene expression in mouse antral oocytes and in preimplantation embryos. Cytogenet Genome Res 2004; 105:215-21. [PMID: 15237209 DOI: 10.1159/000078191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2003] [Accepted: 12/05/2003] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Fatty acids represent an important energy source for preimplantation embryos. Fatty acids oxidation is correlated with the embryo oxygen consumption which remains relatively constant up to the 8-cell stage, but suddenly increases between the 8-cell and morula stages. The degradation of fatty acids occurs in mitochondria and is catalyzed by several carnitine acyl transferases, including two carnitine palmitoyl transferases, CPT-I and CPT-II. We have carried out a study to determine the relative number of transcripts of Cpt1b and Cpt2 genes encoding for m-CPT-I and CPT-II enzymes, during mouse preimplantation development. Here we show that Cpt1b transcripts are first and temporally detected at the 2-cell stage and reappear at the morula and blastocyst stage. Cpt2 transcripts decrease following fertilization to undetectable levels and are present again later at the morula stage. These results show that transcription of both Cpt1b and Cpt2 is triggered at the morula stage, concomitantly with known increasing profiles of oxygen uptake and fatty acids oxidation. Based on the number of Cpt2 transcripts detected, we could discriminate the presence of two groups of embryos with high and low number of transcripts, from the zygote throughout preimplantation development. To further investigate if the establishment of these two groups of embryos occurs prior to fertilization, we have analyzed the relative number of transcripts of both genes in antral and ovulated MII oocytes. As for preimplantation embryos, MII oocytes show two groups of Cpt2 expression. Antral oocytes, classified according to their chromatin configuration in SN (surrounded nucleolus, in which the nucleolus is surrounded by a rim of Hoechst-positive chromatin) and NSN (not surrounded nucleolus, in which this rim is absent), show three groups with different numbers of Cpt2 transcripts. All NSN oocytes have a number of Cpt2 transcripts doubled compared to that of the group of MII oocytes with high expression. Instead, SN oocytes could be singled out into two groups with high and low numbers of Cpt2 transcripts, similar to those found in MII oocytes. The results of this study point out a correlation between the timing of fatty acids oxidation during preimplantation development and the expression of two genes encoding two enzymes involved in the oxidative pathway. Furthermore, although the biological meaning for the presence of two groups of oocytes/embryos with different levels of Cpt2 transcripts remains unclear, the data obtained suggest a possible correlation between the levels of Cpt2 expression and embryo developmental competence.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Gentile
- Laboratorio di Biologia dello Sviluppo e Centro di Eccellenza in Biologia Applicata, Dipartimento di Biologia Animale, Università degli Studi di Pavia, Pavia, Italy
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Merico V, Pigozzi MI, Esposito A, Merani MS, Garagna S. Meiotic recombination and spermatogenic impairment in Mus musculus domesticus carrying multiple simple Robertsonian translocations. Cytogenet Genome Res 2004; 103:321-9. [PMID: 15051955 DOI: 10.1159/000076820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2003] [Accepted: 10/06/2003] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
We quantitatively analyzed the spermatogenic process, including evaluation of seminiferous tubules with defective cycles, rates of germ cell death and sperm morphology, in adult male mice with standard telocentric chromosomes (2n = 40, CD1 strain), homozygous (2n = 24, Mil II population) and heterozygous (2n = 24 x 40) for Robertsonian (Rb) rearrangements. The animals were analyzed at three different ages: three, five and seven months after birth. The number and position of crossover events were also determined by chiasmata counting and immunostaining with an antibody against mouse MLH1 protein. Our analysis of spermatogenesis confirms the impairment of the spermatogenic process in multiple simple heterozygotes due to both germ cell and abnormal sperm morphology. The detrimental effects exerted by Rb heterozygosities were found to be at least partially buffered with time: the frequency of defective tubules was lower and germ cell survival and sperm morphology better in 7-month-old animals than in the 3- and 5-month-old mice. While there are previously published data on germ cell death in multiple simple heterozygotes, this is the first report of a partial rescue of spermatogenesis with time. The mean frequency of MLH1 foci was lower in Rb homozygous and heterozygous mice than in mice carrying all telocentric chromosomes. The lower number of foci in Rb mice can be ascribed to a decrease in the number of multiple chiasmata and the maintenance of single chiasmata preferentially located in the terminal region of both the telocentric and metacentric chromosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Merico
- Laboratorio di Biologia dello Sviluppo, Dipartimento di Biologia Animale, Università degli Studi di Pavia, Pavia, Italia
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