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Liu W, Xie X, Yan H, Klinger FG, Dri M, Felici MD, Shen W, Wang B, Cheng S. Ablation of the circadian rhythm protein CACNA2D3 impairs primordial follicle assembly in the mouse ovary. Clin Transl Med 2023; 13:e1467. [PMID: 37929646 PMCID: PMC10626498 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Wen‐Xiang Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive SciencesQingdao Agricultural UniversityQingdaoChina
| | - Xin‐Xiang Xie
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive SciencesQingdao Agricultural UniversityQingdaoChina
| | - Hong‐Chen Yan
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive SciencesQingdao Agricultural UniversityQingdaoChina
| | | | - Maria Dri
- Saint Camillus InternationalUniversity of Health SciencesRomeItaly
| | - Massimo De Felici
- Department of Biomedicine and PreventionUniversity of Rome Tor VergataRomeItaly
| | - Wei Shen
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive SciencesQingdao Agricultural UniversityQingdaoChina
| | - Bin‐Bin Wang
- Center for GeneticsNational Research Institute for Family PlanningBeijingChina
| | - Shun‐Feng Cheng
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive SciencesQingdao Agricultural UniversityQingdaoChina
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Salvatore G, Dolci S, Camaioni A, Klinger FG, De Felici M. Reprogramming Human Female Adipose Mesenchymal Stem Cells into Primordial Germ Cell-Like Cells. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2023; 19:2274-2283. [PMID: 37338786 PMCID: PMC10579115 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-023-10561-x] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
In the last two decades, considerable progress has been made in the derivation of mammalian germ cells from pluripotent stem cells such as Embryonic Stem Cells (ESCs) and induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs). The pluripotent stem cells are generally first induced into pre-gastrulating endoderm/mesoderm-like status and then specified into putative primordial germ cells (PGCs) termed PGC-like cells (PGCLCs) which possess the potential to generate oocytes and sperms. Adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (ASCs) are multipotent cells, having the capacity to differentiate into cell types such as adipocytes, osteocytes and chondrocytes. Since no information is available about the capability of female human ASCs (hASCs) to generate PGCLCs, we compared protocols to produce such cells from hASCs themselves or from hASC-derived iPSCs. The results showed that, providing pre-induction into a peri-gastrulating endoderm/mesoderm-like status, hASCs can generate PGCLCs. This process, however, shows a lower efficiency than when hASC-derived iPSCs are used as starting cells. Although hASCs possess multipotency and express mesodermal genes, direct induction into PGCLCs resulted less efficient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Salvatore
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, Rome, 00133, Italy
| | - Susanna Dolci
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, Rome, 00133, Italy
| | - Antonella Camaioni
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, Rome, 00133, Italy
| | - Francesca Gioia Klinger
- Saint Camillus International University Of Health Sciences, Via di Sant'Alessandro 8, Rome, 00131, Italy.
| | - Massimo De Felici
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, Rome, 00133, Italy.
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Tian Y, Dong PY, Liang SL, Li L, Zhang SE, Klinger FG, Shen W, Yan YY, Zhang XF. Aflatoxin B1 affects porcine alveolar macrophage growth through the calcium signaling pathway mediated by the ceRNA regulatory network. Mol Biol Rep 2023; 50:8237-8247. [PMID: 37572211 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-08672-2] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), one of the most prevalent contaminants in human and animal food, impairs the immune system, but information on the mechanisms of AFB1-mediated macrophage toxicity is still lacking. METHODS AND RESULTS In this study, for the first time, we employed whole transcriptome sequencing technology to explore the molecular mechanism by which AFB1 affects the growth of porcine alveolar macrophages (PAM). We found that AFB1 exposure reduced the proliferative capacity of PAM and prevented cell cycle progression. Based on whole transcriptome analysis, RT-qPCR, ICC and RNAi, we verified the role and regulatory mechanism of the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network in the process of AFB1 exposure affecting the growth of PAM. CONCLUSIONS We found that AFB1 induced MSTRG.43,583, MSTRG.67,490, MSTRG.84,995, and MSTRG.89,935 to competitively bind miR-219a, miR-30b-3p, and miR-30c-1-3p, eliminating the inhibition of its target genes CACNA1S, RYR3, and PRKCG. This activated the calcium signaling pathway to regulate the growth of PAM. These results provide valuable information on the mechanism of AFB1 exposure induced impairment of macrophage function in humans and animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Tian
- School of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan, 430023, China
- College of Veterinary medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
- College of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology in Universities of Shandong, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock (R2BGL), College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, 010010, China
| | - Pei-Yu Dong
- College of Veterinary medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
| | - Sheng-Lin Liang
- College of Veterinary medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
| | - Long Li
- College of Veterinary medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
| | - Shu-Er Zhang
- Animal Husbandry General Station of Shandong Province, Jinan, 250010, China
| | - Francesca Gioia Klinger
- Saint Camillus International, University of Health Sciences, Via di Sant Alessandro 8, Rome, 00131, Italy
| | - Wei Shen
- College of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology in Universities of Shandong, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
| | - You-Yu Yan
- School of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan, 430023, China.
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, Wuhan Polytechnic University, 13 Wuhan, 430023, China.
| | - Xi-Feng Zhang
- College of Veterinary medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China.
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Lacconi V, Massimiani M, Paglione L, Antonaci D, Meneghini C, Klinger FG, Fazleabas A, Stuhlmann H, Rago R, Ticconi C, Campagnolo L. Characterization of epidermal growth factor-like domain 7 (EGFL7) expression in normal endometrium and in the endometrium of women with poor reproductive outcomes. Hum Reprod 2023:7158561. [PMID: 37159518 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dead086] [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] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Could epidermal growth factor-like domain 7 (EGFL7) be a factor involved in the preparation of the endometrium for implantation and could its dysregulation be implicated in poor reproductive outcomes? SUMMARY ANSWER EGFL7 is highly expressed in the endothelium and glandular epithelium throughout the menstrual cycle; it is upregulated by stromal cells in secretory phase and appears strongly reduced in endometrial biopsies and isolated stromal cells of women with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss (uRPL) and recurrent implantation failure (RIF). WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY The secreted factor EGFL7, originally identified as a gene primarily expressed in endothelial cells, is also expressed by the mouse blastocyst and by mouse and human trophoblast cells. It regulates trophoblast migration and invasion by activating NOTCH1 signaling. NOTCH1 has been demonstrated to play a fundamental role in endometrial receptivity and its dysregulation may be involved in selected pregnancy complications characterized by altered endometrial receptivity, such as uRPL. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This is an exploratory study for which 84 endometrial biopsies were collected from normally fertile women, as well as from women with uRPL and RIF. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Samples were collected from women in both the proliferative and secretory phases of the menstrual cycle and stratified into three sub-groups according to the patient clinical history: 20 fertile women (8 in proliferative and 12 in secretory phase), 41 women with uRPL (6 in proliferative and 35 in secretory phase), and 27 women with RIF (8 in proliferative and 19 in secretory phase). Immunohistochemistry, real-time PCR, and western blot analyses were performed to study the expression of EGFL7 and NOTCH1, as well as the NOTCH target genes. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Analysis of spatial and temporal distribution of EGFL7 in endometrial biopsies from fertile women revealed higher levels of EGFL7 in samples from the secretory phase compared to proliferative phase. The expected expression of EGFL7 in endothelial cells was shown as well as the novel, not previously reported, expression in endometrial glands and stromal cells. EGFL7 was significantly reduced in the endometrium of women with uRPL and RIF in the secretory phases and this was associated with a downregulation of the NOTCH1 signaling pathway. Human recombinant EGFL7 was able to activate the NOTCH1 signaling pathway in endometrial stromal cells (EndSCs) obtained from fertile women but not in cells from uRPL or RIF patients. EndSCs from fertile women and decidualized in vitro for three days showed an upregulation of EGFL7 expression, whereas cells obtained from women with uRPL and RIF and decidualized in vitro did not. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION This study was conducted with a relatively small number of patient samples. Although results are highly reproducible and consistent, additional observations from multicentric cohorts would strengthen the relevance of the data. Moreover, this is an in vitro study, which might only partially represent the in vivo conditions. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Our results demonstrate for the first time that EGFL7 is new player involved in decidualization and provide new insights into the pathophysiology of selected implantation defects and early pregnancy complications. Our studies have revealed that alterations in EGFL7 expression and the consequent dysregulation of NOTCH signaling are potential underlying causes of RIF and uRPL. Our results might have therapeutic relevance, as the EGFL7/NOTCH pathway may represent a potential target for medical intervention. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This study has been supported by the Grant for Fertility Innovation 2017 (Merck KGaA). There are no competing interests to disclose. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER Not applicable.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Lacconi
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- Saint Camillus International, University of Health Sciences, Rome, Italy
| | - M Massimiani
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- Saint Camillus International, University of Health Sciences, Rome, Italy
| | - L Paglione
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - D Antonaci
- Department of Gender, Parenting, Child and Adolescent Medicine, Physiopathology of Reproduction and Andrology Unit, Sandro Pertini Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - C Meneghini
- Department of Gender, Parenting, Child and Adolescent Medicine, Physiopathology of Reproduction and Andrology Unit, Sandro Pertini Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - F G Klinger
- Saint Camillus International, University of Health Sciences, Rome, Italy
| | - A Fazleabas
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - H Stuhlmann
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - R Rago
- Department of Gender, Parenting, Child and Adolescent Medicine, Physiopathology of Reproduction and Andrology Unit, Sandro Pertini Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - C Ticconi
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Section of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - L Campagnolo
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
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Dong PY, Liang SL, Li L, Liu J, Zhang SE, Klinger FG, Shen W, Zhang XF. Naringin regulates intestinal microorganisms and serum metabolites to promote spermatogenesis. Food Funct 2023; 14:3630-3640. [PMID: 36961128 DOI: 10.1039/d3fo00123g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [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] [Indexed: 03/15/2023]
Abstract
Naringin (NAR) is a dihydroflavonoid with various biological activities and pharmacological effects, especially natural antioxidant activity. To gain a better understanding of the effects of NAR on the reproductive system, especially spermatogenesis, we employed western blotting, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, metabolomics and microbiomics to comprehensively dissect the impact of NAR on spermatogenesis. NAR promotes germ cell proliferation and testicular development, and promotes the secretion of sex hormones. Microbiomic and metabonomic analysis showed that NAR improved intestinal microflora and cooperated with serum metabolites to regulate spermatogenesis. Therefore, NAR is beneficial for male reproduction by regulating intestinal microorganisms and serum metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Yu Dong
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266100, China.
| | - Sheng-Lin Liang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266100, China.
| | - Long Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266100, China.
| | - Jing Liu
- Analytical & Testing Center of Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Shu-Er Zhang
- Animal Husbandry General Station of Shandong Province, Jinan 250010, China
| | | | - Wei Shen
- College of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology in Universities of Shandong, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Xi-Feng Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266100, China.
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Tang SB, Zhang TT, Yin S, Shen W, Luo SM, Zhao Y, Zhang CL, Klinger FG, Sun QY, Ge ZJ. Inheritance of perturbed methylation and metabolism caused by uterine malnutrition via oocytes. BMC Biol 2023; 21:43. [PMID: 36829148 PMCID: PMC9960220 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-023-01545-x] [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] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Undernourishment in utero has deleterious effects on the metabolism of offspring, but the mechanism of the transgenerational transmission of metabolic disorders is not well known. In the present study, we found that undernourishment in utero resulted in metabolic disorders of female F1 and F2 in mouse model. RESULTS Undernutrition in utero induced metabolic disorders of F1 females, which was transmitted to F2 females. The global methylation in oocytes of F1 exposed to undernutrition in utero was decreased compared with the control. KEGG analysis showed that genes with differential methylation regions (DMRs) in promoters were significantly enriched in metabolic pathways. The altered methylation of some DMRs in F1 oocytes located at the promoters of metabolic-related genes were partially observed in F2 tissues, and the expressions of these genes were also changed. Meanwhile, the abnormal DNA methylation of the validated DMRs in F1 oocytes was also observed in F2 oocytes. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that DNA methylation may mediate the transgenerational inheritance of metabolic disorders induced by undernourishment in utero via female germline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shou-Bin Tang
- grid.412608.90000 0000 9526 6338College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Germplasm Enhancement in Universities of Shandong, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109 People’s Republic of China
| | - Ting-Ting Zhang
- grid.412608.90000 0000 9526 6338College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Germplasm Enhancement in Universities of Shandong, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109 People’s Republic of China ,grid.414011.10000 0004 1808 090XReproductive Medicine Center, People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450003 People’s Republic of China
| | - Shen Yin
- grid.412608.90000 0000 9526 6338College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Germplasm Enhancement in Universities of Shandong, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109 People’s Republic of China
| | - Wei Shen
- grid.412608.90000 0000 9526 6338College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Germplasm Enhancement in Universities of Shandong, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109 People’s Republic of China
| | - Shi-Ming Luo
- grid.413405.70000 0004 1808 0686Fertility Preservation Lab and Guangdong-Hong Kong Metabolism & Reproduction Joint Laboratory, Reproductive Medicine Center, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, 510317 People’s Republic of China
| | - Yong Zhao
- grid.464332.4State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Cui-Lian Zhang
- grid.414011.10000 0004 1808 090XReproductive Medicine Center, People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450003 People’s Republic of China
| | - Francesca Gioia Klinger
- grid.512346.7Histology and Embryology, Saint Camillus International University of Health Sciences, Rome, Italy
| | - Qing-Yuan Sun
- Fertility Preservation Lab and Guangdong-Hong Kong Metabolism & Reproduction Joint Laboratory, Reproductive Medicine Center, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, 510317, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zhao-Jia Ge
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Germplasm Enhancement in Universities of Shandong, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, People's Republic of China.
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Ge ZJ, Gioia Klinger F, Taketo T. Editorial: Intra- and extra-environment and reproduction. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:1020470. [DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1020470] [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] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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Cimadomo D, Klinger FG, Scarica C, De Santis L. The journey from oogenesis to implantation and beyond: a special issue of JARG by the Italian Society of Embryology, Reproduction and Research (SIERR). J Assist Reprod Genet 2022; 39:781-782. [PMID: 35467239 PMCID: PMC9050971 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-022-02482-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Danilo Cimadomo
- Clinica Valle Giulia, GeneraLife IVF, via G. De Notaris 2b, 00197, Rome, Italy.
| | | | - Catello Scarica
- New Fertility Group, European Hospital Reproductive Medicine Center, Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia De Santis
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, IVF Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
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Dri M, Klinger FG, De Felici M. The ovarian reserve as target of insulin/IGF and ROS in metabolic disorder-dependent ovarian dysfunctions. Reprod Fertil 2022; 2:R103-R112. [PMID: 35118400 PMCID: PMC8801032 DOI: 10.1530/raf-21-0038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [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: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
It is known for a long time that metabolic disorders can cause ovarian dysfunctions and affect a woman’s fertility either by direct targeting follicular cells and/or the oocytes or by indirect interference with the pituitary-hypothalamic axis, resulting in dysfunctional oogenesis. Such disorders may also influence the efficiency of the embryo implantation and the quality of the embryo with permanent effects on the fertility and health of the offspring. Thanks to the expanding knowledge on the molecular mechanisms governing oogenesis and folliculogenesis in mammals, we are beginning to understand how such disorders can negatively affect this process and consequently fertility in women. In the present review, we point out and discuss how the disturbance of insulin/IGF-dependent signalling and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) level in the ovary typically associated to metabolic disorders such as type II diabetes and obesity can dysregulate the dynamics of the ovarian reserve and/or impair the survival and competence of the oocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Dri
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Massimo De Felici
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
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Salvatore G, De Felici M, Dolci S, Tudisco C, Cicconi R, Campagnolo L, Camaioni A, Klinger FG. Human adipose-derived stromal cells transplantation prolongs reproductive lifespan on mouse models of mild and severe premature ovarian insufficiency. Stem Cell Res Ther 2021; 12:537. [PMID: 34629095 PMCID: PMC8504050 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-021-02590-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Although recent studies have investigated the ability of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs) to alleviate short-term ovarian damage in animal models of chemotherapy-induced Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI), no data are available on reproductive lifespan recovery, especially in a severe POI condition. For this reason, we investigated the potential of MSCs isolated from human adipose tissue (hASCs), since they are easy to harvest and abundant, in ameliorating the length and performance of reproductive life in both mild and severe chemotherapy-induced murine POI models.
Methods Mild and severe POI models were established by intraperitoneally administering a light (12 mg/kg busulfan + 120 mg/kg cyclophosphamide) or heavy (30 mg/kg busulfan + 120 mg/kg cyclophosphamide) dose of chemotherapy, respectively, in CD1 mice. In both cases, a week later, 1 × 106 hASCs were transplanted systemically through the tail vein. After four additional weeks, some females were sacrificed to collect ovaries for morphological evaluation. H&E staining was performed to assess stroma alteration and to count follicle numbers; immunofluorescence staining for αSMA was used to analyse vascularization. Of the remaining females, some were mated after superovulation to collect 2-cell embryos in order to evaluate their pre-implantation developmental capacity in vitro, while others were naturally mated to monitor litters and reproductive lifespan length. F1 litters’ weight, ovaries and reproductive lifespan were also analysed. Results hASC transplantation alleviated ovarian weight loss and size decrease and reduced alterations on ovarian stroma and vasculature, concurrently preventing the progressive follicle stockpile depletion caused by chemotherapy. These effects were associated with the preservation of the oocyte competence to develop into blastocyst in vitro and, more interestingly, with a significant decrease of chemotherapy-induced POI features, like shortness of reproductive lifespan, reduced number of litters and longer time to plug (the latter only presented in the severe POI model). Conclusion Human ASC transplantation was able to significantly reduce all the alterations induced by the chemotherapeutic treatment, while improving oocyte quality and prolonging reproductive functions, thus counteracting infertility. These results, strengthened by the use of an outbred model, support the potential applications of hASCs in women with POI, nowadays mainly induced by anticancer therapies. Graphic abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13287-021-02590-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Salvatore
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Section of Histology and Embryology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.,Fondazione Santa Lucia, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo De Felici
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Section of Histology and Embryology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Susanna Dolci
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Section of Human Anatomy, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Cosimo Tudisco
- Department of Clinical Surgery and Translational Medicine, Sports Traumatology Unit, University Hospital of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Luisa Campagnolo
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Section of Histology and Embryology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Camaioni
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Section of Histology and Embryology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
| | - Francesca Gioia Klinger
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Section of Histology and Embryology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
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Yan HC, Sun Y, Zhang MY, Zhang SE, Sun JD, Dyce PW, Klinger FG, De Felici M, Shen W, Cheng SF. YAP regulates porcine skin-derived stem cells self-renewal partly by repressing Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Histochem Cell Biol 2021; 157:39-50. [PMID: 34586448 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-021-02034-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Skin-derived stem cells (SDSCs) are a class of adult stem cells (ASCs) that have the ability to self-renew and differentiate. The regulation mechanisms involved in the differentiation of SDSCs are a hot topic. In this paper, we explore the link between the transcriptional regulator yes-associated protein (YAP) and the fate of porcine SDSCs (pSDSCs). We found that lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) activates YAP, promotes pSDSCs pluripotency, and counteracts transdifferentiation of pSDSCs into porcine primordial germ cell-like cells (pPGCLCs). YAP promotes the pluripotent state of pSDSCs by maintaining the high expression of the pluripotency genes Oct4 and Sox2. The overexpression of YAP prevented the differentiation of pSDSCs, and the depletion of YAP by small interfering RNA (siRNAs) suppressed the self-renewal of pSDSCs. In addition, we found that YAP regulates the fate of pSDSCs through a mechanism related to the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. When an activator of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, CHIR99021, was added to pSDSCs overexpressing YAP, the ability of pSDSCs to differentiate was partially restored. Conversely, when XAV939, an inhibitor of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, was added to YAP knockdown pSDSCs a higher self-renewal ability resulted. Taken together, our results suggested that YAP and the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway interact to regulate the fate of pSDSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Chen Yan
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
| | - Yu Sun
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
| | - Ming-Yu Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
| | - Shu-Er Zhang
- Animal Husbandry General Station of Shandong Province, Jinan, 250010, China
| | - Jia-Dong Sun
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
| | - Paul W Dyce
- Department of Animal Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA
| | - Francesca Gioia Klinger
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo De Felici
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Wei Shen
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China.
| | - Shun-Feng Cheng
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China.
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12
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Liu WX, Zhang YJ, Wang YF, Klinger FG, Tan SJ, Farini D, De Felici M, Shen W, Cheng SF. Protective Mechanism of Luteinizing Hormone and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Against Nicotine-Induced Damage of Mouse Early Folliculogenesis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:723388. [PMID: 34557491 PMCID: PMC8452944 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.723388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [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: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that nicotine could impair the germ cell cyst breakdown and the primordial follicle assembly by autophagy. In this paper, we discovered that luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) could counteract the damage caused by nicotine of mouse germ cell cyst breakdown. The neonatal mice were separately intraperitoneally injected with nicotine, nicotine plus LH, nicotine plus FSH, and saline (control) for 4 days. Compared with the nicotine group, the quality of oocytes and the number of follicles were remarkably increased in the nicotine plus LH group or nicotine plus FSH group. LH and FSH could alleviate nicotine-induced oocyte autophagy by different pathways. LH reduced the nicotine-induced autophagy by restoring the phosphorylation level of adenosine 5′-monophosphate-activated protein kinase α-1, while FSH by downregulating the phosphorylation level of Forkhead box class O 1. In addition, in a subsequent study of 6-week mice in different treated groups, we found that LH and FSH supplementation significantly improved normal maturation rates, fertilization rates, and embryo’s developmental potential of oocytes in oocytes exposed to nicotine. Taken together, these results suggested that LH and FSH could counteract the damage caused by nicotine and finally ensure normal germ cell cyst breakdown and early embryo development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Xiang Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China.,College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yan-Jie Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yu-Feng Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
| | | | - Shao-Jing Tan
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
| | - Donatella Farini
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo De Felici
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Wei Shen
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
| | - Shun-Feng Cheng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China.,College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
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13
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Del Castillo LM, Buigues A, Rossi V, Soriano MJ, Martinez J, De Felici M, Lamsira HK, Di Rella F, Klinger FG, Pellicer A, Herraiz S. The cyto-protective effects of LH on ovarian reserve and female fertility during exposure to gonadotoxic alkylating agents in an adult mouse model. Hum Reprod 2021; 36:2514-2528. [PMID: 34333622 PMCID: PMC8373474 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deab165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Does LH protect mouse oocytes and female fertility from alkylating chemotherapy? SUMMARY ANSWER LH treatment before and during chemotherapy prevents detrimental effects on follicles and reproductive lifespan. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Chemotherapies can damage the ovary, resulting in premature ovarian failure and reduced fertility in cancer survivors. LH was recently suggested to protect prepubertal mouse follicles from chemotoxic effects of cisplatin treatment. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This experimental study investigated LH effects on primordial follicles exposed to chemotherapy. Seven-week-old CD-1 female mice were randomly allocated to four experimental groups: Control (n = 13), chemotherapy (ChT, n = 15), ChT+LH-1x (n = 15), and ChT+LH-5x (n = 8). To induce primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), animals in the ChT and ChT+LH groups were intraperitoneally injected with 120 mg/kg of cyclophosphamide and 12 mg/kg of busulfan, while control mice received vehicle. For LH treatment, the ChT+LH-1x and ChT+LH-5x animals received a 1 or 5 IU LH dose, respectively, before chemotherapy, then a second LH injection administered with chemotherapy 24 h later. Then, two animals/group were euthanized at 12 and 24 h to investigate the early ovarian response to LH, while remaining mice were housed for 30 days to evaluate short- and long-term reproductive outcomes. The effects of LH and chemotherapy on growing-stage follicles were analyzed in a parallel experiment. Seven-week-old NOD-SCID female mice were allocated to control (n = 5), ChT (n = 5), and ChT+LH-1x (n = 6) groups. Animals were treated as described above, but maintained for 7 days before reproductive assessment. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS In the first experiment, follicular damage (phosphorylated H2AX histone (γH2AX) staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay), apoptotic biomarkers (western blot), and DNA repair pathways (western blot and RT-qPCR) were assessed in ovaries collected at 12 and 24 h to determine early ovarian responses to LH. Thirty days after treatments, remaining mice were stimulated (10 IU of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) and 10 IU of hCG) and mated to collect ovaries, oocytes, and embryos. Histological analysis was performed on ovarian samples to investigate follicular populations and stromal status, and meiotic spindle and chromosome alignment was measured in oocytes by confocal microscopy. Long-term effects were monitored by assessing pregnancy rate and litter size during six consecutive breeding attempts. In the second experiment, mice were stimulated and mated 7 days after treatments and ovaries, oocytes, and embryos were collected. Follicular numbers, follicular protection (DNA damage and apoptosis by H2AX staining and TUNEL assay, respectively), and ovarian stroma were assessed. Oocyte quality was determined by confocal analysis. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE LH treatment was sufficient to preserve ovarian reserve and follicular development, avoid atresia, and restore ovulation and meiotic spindle configuration in mature oocytes exposed at the primordial stage. LH improved the cumulative pregnancy rate and litter size in six consecutive breeding rounds, confirming the potential of LH treatment to preserve fertility. This protective effect appeared to be mediated by an enhanced early DNA repair response, via homologous recombination, and generation of anti-apoptotic signals in the ovary a few hours after injury with chemotherapy. This response ameliorated the chemotherapy-induced increase in DNA-damaged oocytes and apoptotic granulosa cells. LH treatment also protected growing follicles from chemotherapy. LH reversed the chemotherapy-induced depletion of primordial and primary follicular subpopulations, reduced oocyte DNA damage and granulosa cell apoptosis, restored mature oocyte cohort size, and improved meiotic spindle properties. LARGE SCALE DATA N/A. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION This was a preliminary study performed with mouse ovarian samples. Therefore, preclinical research with human samples is required for validation. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS The current study tested if LH could protect the adult mouse ovarian reserve and reproductive lifespan from alkylating chemotherapy. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of LH as a complementary non-surgical strategy for preserving fertility in female cancer patients. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This study was supported by grants from the Regional Valencian Ministry of Education (PROMETEO/2018/137), the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (CP19/00141), and the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports (FPU16/05264). The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- L M Del Castillo
- IVI Foundation—IIS La Fe, Reproductive Medicine Research Group, Valencia, Spain
- Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - A Buigues
- IVI Foundation—IIS La Fe, Reproductive Medicine Research Group, Valencia, Spain
| | - V Rossi
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - M J Soriano
- IVI Foundation—IIS La Fe, Reproductive Medicine Research Group, Valencia, Spain
| | - J Martinez
- IVI Foundation—IIS La Fe, Reproductive Medicine Research Group, Valencia, Spain
- Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - M De Felici
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - H K Lamsira
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - F Di Rella
- Clinical and Experimental Senology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, IRCCS, Fondazione G. Pascale, Naples, Italy
| | - F G Klinger
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - A Pellicer
- IVI Foundation—IIS La Fe, Reproductive Medicine Research Group, Valencia, Spain
- IVI-RMA Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - S Herraiz
- Correspondence address. IVI Foundation—IIS La Fe, Reproductive Medicine Research Group, Av. Fernando Abril Martorell, 106-Torre A-Planta1, 46026 Valencia, Spain. Tel: +34-96-390-33-05; E-mail: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0703-6922
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14
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Scarica C, Parmegiani L, Rienzi L, Anastasi A, Cimadomo D, Klinger FG, Licata E, Sosa Fernandez L, De Santis L. SARS-CoV-2 persistence at subzero temperatures. J Assist Reprod Genet 2021; 38:779-781. [PMID: 33544317 PMCID: PMC7863614 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-021-02094-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Catello Scarica
- Italian Society of Embryology, Reproduction and Research (SIERR), Giarre, CT, Italy. .,European Hospital, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Rome, Italy.
| | - Lodovico Parmegiani
- Italian Society of Embryology, Reproduction and Research (SIERR), Giarre, CT, Italy.,GynePro Medical Centers - NextClinics International, Bologna, Italy
| | - Laura Rienzi
- Italian Society of Embryology, Reproduction and Research (SIERR), Giarre, CT, Italy.,Clinica Valle Giulia, GENERA Center for Reproductive Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - Attilio Anastasi
- Italian Society of Embryology, Reproduction and Research (SIERR), Giarre, CT, Italy.,Physiopathology of Human Reproduction Center, Hospital "del Delta", Lagosanto, Italy
| | - Danilo Cimadomo
- Italian Society of Embryology, Reproduction and Research (SIERR), Giarre, CT, Italy.,Clinica Valle Giulia, GENERA Center for Reproductive Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Gioia Klinger
- Italian Society of Embryology, Reproduction and Research (SIERR), Giarre, CT, Italy.,Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Section of Histology and Embryology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Emanuele Licata
- Italian Society of Embryology, Reproduction and Research (SIERR), Giarre, CT, Italy.,Physiopathology of Reproduction and Andrology Unit, Sandro Pertini Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Sosa Fernandez
- Italian Society of Embryology, Reproduction and Research (SIERR), Giarre, CT, Italy.,Embryos Fertility Center, Battipaglia, Italy
| | - Lucia De Santis
- Italian Society of Embryology, Reproduction and Research (SIERR), Giarre, CT, Italy.,Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, IVF Unit, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
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15
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Sorrenti M, Klinger FG, Iona S, Rossi V, Marcozzi S, DE Felici M. Expression and possible roles of extracellular signal-related kinases 1-2 (ERK1-2) in mouse primordial germ cell development. J Reprod Dev 2020; 66:399-409. [PMID: 32418930 PMCID: PMC7593634 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2019-141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [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] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In the present work, we described the expression and activity of extracellular signal-related kinases 1-2 (ERK1-2) in mouse primordial germ cells (PGCs) from
8.5–14.5 days post coitum (dpc) and investigated whether these kinases play a role in regulating the various processes of PGC development. Using
immunofluorescence and immunoblotting to detect the active phosphorylated form of ERK1-2 (p-ERK1-2), we found that the kinases were present in most
proliferating 8.5–10.5 dpc PGCs, low in 11.5 dpc PGCs, and progressively increasing between 12.5–14.5 dpc both in female and male PGCs. In
vitro culture experiments showed that inhibiting activation of ERK1-2 with the MEK-specific inhibitor U0126 significantly reduced the growth of 8.5
dpc PGCs in culture but had little effect on 11.5–12.5 dpc PGCs. Moreover, we found that the inhibitor did not affect the adhesion of 11.5 dpc PGCs, but it
significantly reduced their motility features onto a cell monolayer. Further, while the ability of female PGCs to begin meiosis was not significantly affected
by U0126, their progression through meiotic prophase I was slowed down. Notably, the activity of ERK1-2 was necessary for maintaining the correct expression of
oocyte-specific genes crucial for germ cells survival and the formation of primordial follicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Sorrenti
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Section of Histology and Embryology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome 00173, Italy
| | - Francesca Gioia Klinger
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Section of Histology and Embryology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome 00173, Italy
| | - Saveria Iona
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Section of Histology and Embryology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome 00173, Italy
| | - Valerio Rossi
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Section of Histology and Embryology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome 00173, Italy
| | - Serena Marcozzi
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Section of Histology and Embryology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome 00173, Italy
| | - Massimo DE Felici
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Section of Histology and Embryology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome 00173, Italy
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16
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Sun X, Klinger FG, Liu J, De Felici M, Shen W, Sun X. miR-378-3p maintains the size of mouse primordial follicle pool by regulating cell autophagy and apoptosis. Cell Death Dis 2020; 11:737. [PMID: 32913213 PMCID: PMC7483766 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-02965-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [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: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Primordial follicle pool provides all available oocytes throughout the whole reproductive life span. Abnormal regulation in primordial follicle assembly leads to abnormal size of primordial follicle pool, even causes infertility. Here, miR-378-3p was proved to regulate mouse primordial follicle assembly both in vivo and in vitro. The expression of miR-378-3p significantly increased in mice ovaries from 17.5 dpc (days post coitum) up to 3 dpp (day post partum) compared with the expression of 16.5 dpc ovaries, which suggested that miR-378-3p was involved in primordial follicle assembly. To uncover the underlying mechanism, newborn mice ovaries were cultured in vitro in the presence of rapamycin and 3-methyladenine, which showed that the expression of miR-378-3p changed together with the percentage of primordial follicle. Moreover, during the normal process of primordial follicle assembly between 17.6 dpc and 3 dpp, autophagy is activated, while, apoptosis is inhibited. The in vivo results showed that newborn mice starved for 1.5 days showing the increased miR-378-3p, activated autophagy and inhibited apoptosis in the ovaries, had more percentage of primordial follicles. Over-expression of miR-378-3p using miR-378-3p agomir caused increased percentage of primordial follicle, increased level of autophagy, and decreased level of apoptosis. Knockdown of miR-378-3p by miR-378-3p antiagomir had the opposite results. Using pmirGLO Dual-Luciferase miRNA Target Expression system, we confirmed both PDK1 and Caspase9 were targets of miR-378-3p, which suggested that miR-378-3p activated autophagy by targeting PDK1 and inhibited apoptosis by targeting Caspase9. MiR-378-3p could be used as a biomarker of diseases caused by abnormal size of primordial follicle pool for diagnosis, prevention, or therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowen Sun
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China.,College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
| | - Francesca Gioia Klinger
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, 00133, Italy
| | - Jing Liu
- Central laboratory of Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
| | - Massimo De Felici
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, 00133, Italy
| | - Wei Shen
- College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
| | - Xiaofeng Sun
- College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China.
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17
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Liu WX, Tan SJ, Wang YF, Li L, Sun XF, Liu J, Klinger FG, De Felici M, Shen W, Cheng SF. Melatonin ameliorates murine fetal oocyte meiotic dysfunction in F1 and F2 offspring caused by nicotine exposure during pregnancy. Environ Pollut 2020; 263:114519. [PMID: 32325354 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114519] [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] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 12/24/2019] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Although there is abundant evidence to demonstrate that maternal smoking during pregnancy will harm the health of future generations, the impact of nicotine use by pregnant woman upon the oogenesis and folliculogenesis of female offspring has not been as widely scrutinized. Here we focus on the effects of nicotine on the meiotic progression of fetal oocytes. The data indicated that in pregnant mice treated with nicotine, intracellular ROS increased in follicles within the fetal ovary. Excessive intracellular hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and superoxide anion (O2-) decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, inducing mitochondrial dysfunction, triggering an autophagic cascade and inhibiting anti-autophagic proteins. Fetal oocytes in F1 offspring of pregnant mice treated with nicotine exhibited a delay in meiotic prophase I, especially from the stage of pachytene to diplotene. In pubertal F1 offspring we observed a reduced number of follicles; the same reduction was also observed in F2 offspring. Of note, we found that melatonin ameliorated nicotine-induced oocyte damage and increased the expression of MnSOD, which decreased the production of nicotine-induced intracellular ROS. In addition, melatonin also maintained normal H3K4 and H3K9 di- and tri-methylation in F1 and F2 ovaries. Taken together, the current evidence suggests that, in the mouse, melatonin could prevent nicotine-impaired fetal oogenesis and folliculogenesis in offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Xiang Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China; College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
| | - Shao-Jing Tan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
| | - Yu-Feng Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
| | - Lan Li
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
| | - Xiao-Feng Sun
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Central Laboratory, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
| | - Francesca Gioia Klinger
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, 00133, Italy
| | - Massimo De Felici
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, 00133, Italy
| | - Wei Shen
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
| | - Shun-Feng Cheng
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China.
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18
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De Santis L, Cimadomo D, Capalbo A, Di Pietro C, Zuccarello D, Anastasi A, Licata E, Scarica C, Fernandez LS, Klinger FG. IUI and uterine lavage of in vivo-produced blastocysts for PGT purposes: is it a technically and ethically reasonable perspective? Is it actually needed? J Assist Reprod Genet 2020; 37:1579-1582. [PMID: 32458102 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-020-01813-7] [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] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
A recent study by Munné et al. portrayed a protocol to retrieve in vivo produced blastocysts after IUI and uterine lavage for preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) purposes. The authors claimed this protocol might represent a reasonable future perspective for patients who do not want to undergo IVF, but still want to be informed about their embryos' genetic/chromosomal defects. Although the intent of making PGT available also to patients who cannot or do not need to undergo IVF is respectable, the value of this study is undermined by severe technical and ethical issues. Munné and colleagues' paper was discussed within the executive committee (i.e., president and vice-president of the society, director and vice-director of the scientific committee, secretariat, and counselors), the special interest group in reproductive genetics, the scientific committee, and the collegio dei probiviri of the Italian Society of Embryology, Reproduction and Research (SIERR). The points raised from this discussion are summarized in this opinion paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia De Santis
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, IVF Unit, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Danilo Cimadomo
- GENERA Center for Reproductive Medicine, Clinica Valle Giulia, Rome, Italy.
| | - Antonio Capalbo
- Igenomix, Marostica, Italy
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Biology and Genetics "G. Sichel", University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Cinzia Di Pietro
- DAHFMO, Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Sapienza, University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Zuccarello
- Unit of Clinical Genetics and Epidemiology, Department of Lab Medicine, University Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Attilio Anastasi
- Physiopathology of Human Reproduction Center, Hospital "del Delta", Lagosanto, Italy
| | - Emanuele Licata
- Physiopathology of Reproduction and Andrology Unit, Sandro Pertini Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Catello Scarica
- Casa di Cura Villa Salaria in partnership with Institut Marques, Reproductive Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Francesca Gioia Klinger
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Section of Histology and Embryology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
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19
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Spears N, Lopes F, Stefansdottir A, Rossi V, De Felici M, Anderson RA, Klinger FG. Ovarian damage from chemotherapy and current approaches to its protection. Hum Reprod Update 2020; 25:673-693. [PMID: 31600388 PMCID: PMC6847836 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmz027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 274] [Impact Index Per Article: 68.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Revised: 07/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anti-cancer therapy is often a cause of premature ovarian insufficiency and infertility since the ovarian follicle reserve is extremely sensitive to the effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. While oocyte, embryo and ovarian cortex cryopreservation can help some women with cancer-induced infertility achieve pregnancy, the development of effective methods to protect ovarian function during chemotherapy would be a significant advantage. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE This paper critically discusses the different damaging effects of the most common chemotherapeutic compounds on the ovary, in particular, the ovarian follicles and the molecular pathways that lead to that damage. The mechanisms through which fertility-protective agents might prevent chemotherapy drug-induced follicle loss are then reviewed. SEARCH METHODS Articles published in English were searched on PubMed up to March 2019 using the following terms: ovary, fertility preservation, chemotherapy, follicle death, adjuvant therapy, cyclophosphamide, cisplatin, doxorubicin. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to the analysis of the protective agents. OUTCOMES Recent studies reveal how chemotherapeutic drugs can affect the different cellular components of the ovary, causing rapid depletion of the ovarian follicular reserve. The three most commonly used drugs, cyclophosphamide, cisplatin and doxorubicin, cause premature ovarian insufficiency by inducing death and/or accelerated activation of primordial follicles and increased atresia of growing follicles. They also cause an increase in damage to blood vessels and the stromal compartment and increment inflammation. In the past 20 years, many compounds have been investigated as potential protective agents to counteract these adverse effects. The interactions of recently described fertility-protective agents with these damage pathways are discussed. WIDER IMPLICATIONS Understanding the mechanisms underlying the action of chemotherapy compounds on the various components of the ovary is essential for the development of efficient and targeted pharmacological therapies that could protect and prolong female fertility. While there are increasing preclinical investigations of potential fertility preserving adjuvants, there remains a lack of approaches that are being developed and tested clinically.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Spears
- Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh UK
| | - F Lopes
- Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh UK
| | | | - V Rossi
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - M De Felici
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - R A Anderson
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh UK
| | - F G Klinger
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
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20
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De Santis L, Anastasi A, Cimadomo D, Klinger FG, Licata E, Pisaturo V, Sosa Fernandez L, Scarica C. COVID-19: the perspective of Italian embryologists managing the IVF laboratory in pandemic emergency. Hum Reprod 2020; 35:1004-1005. [PMID: 32268352 PMCID: PMC7184410 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deaa074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Lucia De Santis
- Italian Society of Embryology, Reproduction and Research (SIERR), Via Rosmini 34, 95014 Giarre CT, Italy
| | - Attilio Anastasi
- Italian Society of Embryology, Reproduction and Research (SIERR), Via Rosmini 34, 95014 Giarre CT, Italy
| | - Danilo Cimadomo
- Italian Society of Embryology, Reproduction and Research (SIERR), Via Rosmini 34, 95014 Giarre CT, Italy
| | - Francesca Gioia Klinger
- Italian Society of Embryology, Reproduction and Research (SIERR), Via Rosmini 34, 95014 Giarre CT, Italy
| | - Emanuele Licata
- Italian Society of Embryology, Reproduction and Research (SIERR), Via Rosmini 34, 95014 Giarre CT, Italy
| | - Valerio Pisaturo
- Italian Society of Embryology, Reproduction and Research (SIERR), Via Rosmini 34, 95014 Giarre CT, Italy
| | - Laura Sosa Fernandez
- Italian Society of Embryology, Reproduction and Research (SIERR), Via Rosmini 34, 95014 Giarre CT, Italy
| | - Catello Scarica
- Italian Society of Embryology, Reproduction and Research (SIERR), Via Rosmini 34, 95014 Giarre CT, Italy
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21
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Marcozzi S, Rossi V, Salvatore G, Di Rella F, De Felici M, Klinger FG. Distinct effects of epirubicin, cisplatin and cyclophosphamide on ovarian somatic cells of prepuberal ovaries. Aging (Albany NY) 2019; 11:10532-10556. [PMID: 31711044 PMCID: PMC6914390 DOI: 10.18632/aging.102476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
In vitro culture models were used to characterize the effects of chemotherapeutic drugs and of LH on somatic cells from prepuberal mouse ovaries. All cell types (pre- and granulosa cells, pre-thecal and OSE cells) underwent apoptosis following Epirubicin (0.5μM) exposure for 24hrs (about 60%) and 48hrs (>80%). Cisplatin (10μM) and the Cyclophosphamide active metabolite, Phosphoramide Mustard (10μM), didn’t cause apoptosis in 90% of pre-thecal and pre-granulosa cells up to 72hrs of exposure, although they suffered extensive DNA damage and cell cycle arrest, and acquired stress induced premature senescence (SIPS) features. Cultured granulosa cells didn’t show evident DNA damage and remained viable without acquiring SIPS features; OSE cells were resistant to apoptosis and SIPS but not to DNA damage. These latter, like pre-thecal and pre-granulosa cells, were able of efficient DNA repair involving MLH1-dependent MMR pathways. SIPS features were also observed in ovary after in vivo treatment with Cisplatin. LH (200mIU/mL) didn’t significantly influence apoptosis, SIPS and DNA damage but favoured DNA repair. These results show that somatic cells of prepuberal ovary response to drugs in different ways, either undergoing apoptosis or SIPS, either showing resistance to Cisplatin and Phosphoramide Mustard. Moreover, a new role of LH in promoting DNA repair was shown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Marcozzi
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Section of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Valerio Rossi
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Section of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Salvatore
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Section of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Di Rella
- Medical Oncology, Department of Senology, National Cancer Institute, IRCCS Foundation G. Pascale, Naples, Italy
| | - Massimo De Felici
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Section of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Gioia Klinger
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Section of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
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22
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Camaioni A, Klinger FG, Campagnolo L, Salustri A. The Influence of Pentraxin 3 on the Ovarian Function and Its Impact on Fertility. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2808. [PMID: 30555480 PMCID: PMC6283082 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [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: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Follicular development is a highly coordinated process that in humans takes more than 6 months. Pituitary gonadotropins and a variety of locally produced growth factors and cytokines are involved in determining a precise sequence of changes in cell metabolism, proliferation, vascularization, and matrix remodeling in order to obtain a follicle with full ovulatory and steroidogenic capability. A low-grade inflammation can alter such processes leading to premature arrest of follicular growth and female reproductive failure. On the other hand, factors that are involved in inflammatory response as well as in innate immunity are physiologically upregulated in the follicle at the final stage of maturation and play an essential role in ovulation and fertilization. The generation of pentraxin 3 (PTX3) deficient mice provided the first evidence that this humoral pattern recognition molecule of the innate immunity has a non-redundant role in female fertility. The expression, localization, and molecular interactions of PTX3 in the periovulatory follicle have been extensively studied in the last 10 years. In this review, we summarize findings demonstrating that PTX3 is synthesized before ovulation by cells surrounding the oocyte and actively participates in the organization of the hyaluronan-rich provisional matrix required for successful fertilization. Data in humans tend to confirm these findings, indicating PTX3 as a biomarker of oocyte quality. Moreover, we discuss the emerging evidence that in humans altered PTX3 systemic levels, determined by genetic variations and/or low-grade chronic inflammation, can also impact the growth and development of the follicle and affect the incidence of ovarian disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Camaioni
- Histology and Embryology Section, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome "Tor Vergata," Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Gioia Klinger
- Histology and Embryology Section, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome "Tor Vergata," Rome, Italy
| | - Luisa Campagnolo
- Histology and Embryology Section, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome "Tor Vergata," Rome, Italy
| | - Antonietta Salustri
- Histology and Embryology Section, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome "Tor Vergata," Rome, Italy
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23
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Tuppi M, Kehrloesser S, Coutandin DW, Rossi V, Luh LM, Strubel A, Hötte K, Hoffmeister M, Schäfer B, De Oliveira T, Greten F, Stelzer EHK, Knapp S, De Felici M, Behrends C, Klinger FG, Dötsch V. Oocyte DNA damage quality control requires consecutive interplay of CHK2 and CK1 to activate p63. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2018; 25:261-269. [PMID: 29483652 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-018-0035-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2017] [Accepted: 01/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The survival rate of cancer patients is steadily increasing, owing to more efficient therapies. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of chemotherapy-induced premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) could identify targets for prevention of POI. Loss of the primordial follicle reserve is the most important cause of POI, with the p53 family member p63 being responsible for DNA-damage-induced apoptosis of resting oocytes. Here, we provide the first detailed mechanistic insight into the activation of p63, a process that requires phosphorylation by both the priming kinase CHK2 and the executioner kinase CK1 in mouse primordial follicles. We further describe the structural changes induced by phosphorylation that enable p63 to adopt its active tetrameric conformation and demonstrate that previously discussed phosphorylation by c-Abl is not involved in this process. Inhibition of CK1 rescues primary oocytes from doxorubicin and cisplatin-induced apoptosis, thus uncovering a new target for the development of fertoprotective therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcel Tuppi
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry and Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance and Cluster of Excellence Macromolecular Complexes (CEF), Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Sebastian Kehrloesser
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry and Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance and Cluster of Excellence Macromolecular Complexes (CEF), Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Daniel W Coutandin
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry and Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance and Cluster of Excellence Macromolecular Complexes (CEF), Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Valerio Rossi
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura M Luh
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry and Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance and Cluster of Excellence Macromolecular Complexes (CEF), Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Alexander Strubel
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry and Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance and Cluster of Excellence Macromolecular Complexes (CEF), Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Katharina Hötte
- Physical Biology/Physikalische Biologie (IZN, FB 15), Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (BMLS), Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Meike Hoffmeister
- Institute of Biochemistry, Brandenburg Medical School (MHB) Theodor Fontane, Neuruppin and Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany
| | - Birgit Schäfer
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry and Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance and Cluster of Excellence Macromolecular Complexes (CEF), Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Tiago De Oliveira
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Biomedical Research, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Florian Greten
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Biomedical Research, Frankfurt, Germany.,German Cancer Network (DKTK), Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Ernst H K Stelzer
- Physical Biology/Physikalische Biologie (IZN, FB 15), Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (BMLS), Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Stefan Knapp
- German Cancer Network (DKTK), Frankfurt, Germany.,Nuffield Department of Medicine, Structural Genomics Consortium, Oxford University, Oxford, UK.,Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Massimo De Felici
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Christian Behrends
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Volker Dötsch
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry and Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance and Cluster of Excellence Macromolecular Complexes (CEF), Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany.
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24
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Salustri A, Campagnolo L, Klinger FG, Camaioni A. Molecular organization and mechanical properties of the hyaluronan matrix surrounding the mammalian oocyte. Matrix Biol 2018; 78-79:11-23. [PMID: 29408277 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2018.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2018] [Revised: 01/31/2018] [Accepted: 02/01/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Successful ovulation and oocyte fertilization are essential prerequisites for the beginning of life in sexually reproducing animals. In mammalian fertilization, the relevance of the protein coat surrounding the oocyte plasma membrane, known as zona pellucida, has been widely recognized, while, until not too long ago, the general belief was that the cumulus oophorus, consisting of follicle cells embedded in a hyaluronan rich extracellular matrix, was not essential. This opinion was based on in vitro fertilization procedures, in which a large number of sperms are normally utilized and the oocyte can be fertilized even if depleted of cumulus cells. Conversely, in vivo, only very few sperm cells reach the fertilization site, arguing against the possibility of a coincidental encounter with the oocyte. In the last two decades, proteins required for HA organization in the cumulus extracellular matrix have been identified and the study of fertility in mice deprived of the corresponding genes have provided compelling evidence that this jelly-like coat is critical for fertilization. This review focuses on the advances in understanding the molecular interactions making the cumulus environment suitable for oocyte and sperm encounter. Most of the studies on the molecular characterization of the cumulus extracellular matrix have been performed in the mouse and we will refer essentially to findings obtained in this animal model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonietta Salustri
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Histology and Embryology Section, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy.
| | - Luisa Campagnolo
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Histology and Embryology Section, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Gioia Klinger
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Histology and Embryology Section, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Camaioni
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Histology and Embryology Section, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
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25
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Wang JJ, Ge W, Liu JC, Klinger FG, Dyce PW, De Felici M, Shen W. Complete in vitro oogenesis: retrospects and prospects. Cell Death Differ 2017; 24:1845-1852. [PMID: 28841213 PMCID: PMC5635224 DOI: 10.1038/cdd.2017.134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2017] [Revised: 06/13/2017] [Accepted: 07/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Precise control of mammalian oogenesis has been a traditional focus of reproductive and developmental biology research. Recently, new reports have introduced the possibility of obtaining functional gametes derived in vitro from stem cells. The potential to produce functional gametes from stem cells has exciting applications for regenerative medicine though still remains challenging. In mammalian females ovulation and fertilization is a privilege reserved for a small number of oocytes. In reality the vast majority of oocytes formed from primordial germ cells (PGCs) will undergo apoptosis, or other forms of cell death. Removal occurs during germ cell cyst breakdown and the establishment of the primordial follicle (PF) pool, during the long dormancy at the PF stage, or through follicular atresia prior to reaching the ovulatory stage. A way to solve this limitation could be to produce large numbers of oocytes, in vitro, from stem cells. However, to recapitulate mammalian oogenesis and produce fertilizable oocytes in vitro is a complex process involving several different cell types, precise follicular cell-oocyte reciprocal interactions, a variety of nutrients and combinations of cytokines, and precise growth factors and hormones depending on the developmental stage. In 2016, two papers published by Morohaku et al. and Hikabe et al. reported in vitro procedures that appear to reproduce efficiently these conditions allowing for the production, completely in a dish, of a relatively large number of oocytes that are fertilizable and capable of giving rise to viable offspring in the mouse. The present article offers a critical overview of these results as well as other previous work performed mainly in mouse attempting to reproduce oogenesis completely in vitro and considers some perspectives for the potential to adapt the methods to produce functional human oocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Jie Wang
- Institute of Reproductive Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Wei Ge
- Institute of Reproductive Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Jing-Cai Liu
- Institute of Reproductive Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Francesca Gioia Klinger
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata’, Rome 00133, Italy
| | - Paul W Dyce
- Department of Animal Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Massimo De Felici
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata’, Rome 00133, Italy
| | - Wei Shen
- Institute of Reproductive Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
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26
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Fabbri R, Macciocca M, Vicenti R, Paradisi R, Klinger FG, Pasquinelli G, Spisni E, Seracchioli R, Papi A. Doxorubicin and cisplatin induce apoptosis in ovarian stromal cells obtained from cryopreserved human ovarian tissue. Future Oncol 2016; 12:1699-711. [PMID: 27173589 DOI: 10.2217/fon-2016-0032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [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: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To investigate mechanisms by which doxorubicin (DOX) and cisplatin (CIS) cause human ovarian stroma injury. PATIENTS & METHODS Stromal cells from human cryopreserved ovarian tissue were cultured in the presence of 1 µM DOX and 10 µM CIS. Ovarian damage induced by treatments was evaluated by 'Live/Dead' and sulforhodamine-B assays, the expression of different apoptosis markers. RESULTS Stromal cell growth was inhibited by DOX and CIS, and this effect was accompanied by apoptosis through mitochondrial pathway activation: Bax, cleaved-caspase 9, cleaved-PARP1 induction and Akt1, Bcl2, phospho-44/42-MAPK/ERK1/2 reduction were observed. CONCLUSION DOX and CIS induced apoptosis in human ovarian stromal cells. Knowledge of mechanisms by which the drugs act is important to identify possible ways to counteract side effects of chemotherapy on ovaries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raffaella Fabbri
- Gynecology & Pathophysiology of Human Reproductive Unit, Department of Medical & Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, S Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Macciocca
- Gynecology & Pathophysiology of Human Reproductive Unit, Department of Medical & Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, S Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Rossella Vicenti
- Gynecology & Pathophysiology of Human Reproductive Unit, Department of Medical & Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, S Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Roberto Paradisi
- Gynecology & Pathophysiology of Human Reproductive Unit, Department of Medical & Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, S Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Gianandrea Pasquinelli
- Surgical Pathology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic & Speciality Medicine, University of Bologna, S Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Enzo Spisni
- Department of Biological, Geological, & Environmental Science, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Renato Seracchioli
- Gynecology & Pathophysiology of Human Reproductive Unit, Department of Medical & Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, S Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessio Papi
- Department of Biological, Geological, & Environmental Science, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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27
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Scaldaferri ML, Klinger FG, Farini D, Di Carlo A, Carsetti R, Giorda E, De Felici M. Hematopoietic activity in putative mouse primordial germ cell populations. Mech Dev 2015; 136:53-63. [PMID: 25684074 DOI: 10.1016/j.mod.2015.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [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: 10/15/2014] [Revised: 01/19/2015] [Accepted: 02/10/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
In the present paper, starting from the observation of heterogeneous expression of the GOF-18ΔPE-GFP Pou5f1 (Oct3/4) transgene in putative mouse PGC populations settled in the aorta-gonad-mesonephros (AGM) region, we identified various OCT3/4 positive populations showing distinct expression of PGC markers (BLIMP-1, AP, TG-1, STELLA) and co-expressing several proteins (CD-34, CD-41, FLK-1) and genes (Brachyury, Hox-B4, Scl/Tal-1 and Gata-2) of hematopoietic precursors. Moreover, we found that Oct3/4-GFP(weak) CD-34(weak/high) cells possess robust hematopoietic colony forming activity (CFU) in vitro. These data indicate that the cell population usually considered PGCs moving toward the gonadal ridges encompasses a subset of cells co-expressing several germ cell and hematopoietic markers and possessing hematopoietic activity. These results are discussed within of the current model of germline segregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Lucia Scaldaferri
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Section of Histology and Embryology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Gioia Klinger
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Section of Histology and Embryology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Donatella Farini
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Section of Histology and Embryology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Di Carlo
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Section of Histology and Embryology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Rita Carsetti
- Research Center Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCSS, Laboratory of Flow-Cytometry and B Cell Development, Rome, Italy
| | - Ezio Giorda
- Research Center Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCSS, Laboratory of Flow-Cytometry and B Cell Development, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo De Felici
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Section of Histology and Embryology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy.
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29
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Tedesco M, Desimio MG, Klinger FG, De Felici M, Farini D. Minimal concentrations of retinoic acid induce stimulation by retinoic acid 8 and promote entry into meiosis in isolated pregonadal and gonadal mouse primordial germ cells. Biol Reprod 2013; 88:145. [PMID: 23636811 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.112.106526] [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] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
In the present study, we demonstrate that minimal concentrations (≤ 1 nM) of retinoic acid (RA), equivalent to the quantity contaminating serum-containing culture medium, are sufficient to promote meiotic entry and progression through meiotic prophase I (MPI) stages in isolated 12.5-days postcoitum (dpc) XX and XY mouse primordial germ cells (PGCs) in culture. Similarly, we found that the same low RA concentration up-regulated or induced stimulation by retinoic acid 8 (Stra8) in such cells, both at mRNA and protein level. In preleptotene/leptotene germ cells, STRA8 was localized in nuclear dots that disappeared at later MPI stages. In addition to Stra8, other meiotic genes such as Dmc1 and Rec8 appeared stimulated by RA directly in PGCs with similar concentration-dependent trends. Finally, we found that RA induced Stra8, Sycp3, Dmc1, and Rec8 transcripts, promoting meiotic entry in culture also in pregonadal 10.5-dpc PGCs of both sexes. When cultured isolated from somatic cells, such PGCs, however, were unable to progress through MPI stages, while after entering meiosis, they progressed through MPI when cultured within aorta/gonad/mesonephros tissues. We conclude that besides RA, germ cell intrinsic factors and other exogenous signals from the surrounding somatic cells are probably necessary for meiotic entry and progression in mouse PGCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Tedesco
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Section of Histology and Embryology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
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30
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Ciccarone F, Klinger FG, Catizone A, Calabrese R, Zampieri M, Bacalini MG, De Felici M, Caiafa P. Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation acts in the DNA demethylation of mouse primordial germ cells also with DNA damage-independent roles. PLoS One 2012; 7:e46927. [PMID: 23071665 PMCID: PMC3465317 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0046927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2012] [Accepted: 09/06/2012] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation regulates chromatin structure and transcription driving epigenetic events. In particular, Parp1 is able to directly influence DNA methylation patterns controlling transcription and activity of Dnmt1. Here, we show that ADP-ribose polymer levels and Parp1 expression are noticeably high in mouse primordial germ cells (PGCs) when the bulk of DNA demethylation occurs during germline epigenetic reprogramming in the embryo. Notably, Parp1 activity is stimulated in PGCs even before its participation in the DNA damage response associated with active DNA demethylation. We demonstrate that PARP inhibition impairs both genome-wide and locus-specific DNA methylation erasure in PGCs. Moreover, we evidence that impairment of PARP activity causes a significant reduction of expression of the gene coding for Tet1 hydroxylases involved in active DNA demethylation. Taken together these results demonstrate new and adjuvant roles of poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation during germline DNA demethylation and suggest its possible more general involvement in genome reprogramming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Ciccarone
- Department of Cellular Biotechnologies and Hematology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Pasteur Institute-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Angela Catizone
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Calabrese
- Department of Cellular Biotechnologies and Hematology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Pasteur Institute-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | - Michele Zampieri
- Department of Cellular Biotechnologies and Hematology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Pasteur Institute-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Giulia Bacalini
- Department of Cellular Biotechnologies and Hematology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Pasteur Institute-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo De Felici
- Department of Public Health and Cell Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Caiafa
- Department of Cellular Biotechnologies and Hematology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Pasteur Institute-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
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31
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Spitalieri P, Cortese G, Pietropolli A, Filareto A, Dolci S, Klinger FG, Giardina E, Di Cesare S, Bernardini L, Lauro D, Scaldaferri ML, Scaldaferri HL, Citro G, Novelli G, De Felici M, Sangiuolo F. Identification of multipotent cytotrophoblast cells from human first trimester chorionic villi. Cloning Stem Cells 2010; 11:535-56. [PMID: 20025524 DOI: 10.1089/clo.2009.0046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In this article we used immunohistochemistry and FACS analyses to show that cells expressing markers typical of human stem cells such as SSEA4, OCT-4, ALP, and CD117 are present within the cytotrophoblastic tissue of human fetal chorionic villus samples (CVSs). After immunoselection of CV cells for SSEA4, FACS analyses showed an increased number of cells positive for OCT-4 and ALP and a small percentage (around 4%) of side population (SP) cells. In the same cell population, RT-PCR indicated the presence of OCT-4, NANOG, and SOX2 transcripts, also typical of stem cells. Depending on the in vitro conditions, a subset of SSEA4+ cells formed colonies resembling hESCs, with limited self renewal ability. At the same time, these cells were able to differentiate in vitro into derivatives of all three germ layers. When inoculated into immunocompromised mice, SSEA4+ cells did not form teratomas but were able to populate depleted hematopoietic tissues. Moreover, after injection into mouse blastocysts, they were incorporated into the inner cell mass and could be traced into several tissues of the adult chimeric mice. Finally, we show that SSEA4+ cells isolated from fetuses affected by Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) can be genetically corrected with high efficiency in culture by Small Fragment Homologous Recombination (SFHR), a gene targeting approach. Taken together, our results indicate that SSEA4+ cells obtained from human CVSs contain a subpopulation of multipotent cells that we propose to name Human Cytotrophoblastic-derived Multipotent Cells (hCTMCs). These cells may be a safe and convenient source of cells for cell-based therapy, as well as an ideal target for in utero fetal gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Spitalieri
- Department of Biopathology, Genetics Unit, Tor Vergata University of Rome, via Montpellier, Italy
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Abstract
We report a short-term culture system that allows to define novel characteristic of programmed cell death (PCD) in fetal oocytes and to underscore new aspects of this process. Mouse fetal oocytes cultured in conditions allowing meiotic prophase I progression underwent apoptotic degeneration waves as revealed by TUNEL staining. TEM observations revealed recurrent atypical apoptotic morphologies characterized by the absence of chromatin margination and nuclear fragmentation; oocytes with autophagic and necrotic features were also observed. Further characterization of oocyte death evidenced DNA ladder, Annexin V binding, PARP cleavage, and usually caspase activation (namely caspase-2). In the aim to modulate the oocyte death process, we found that the addition to the culture medium of the pan-caspase inhibitors Z-VAD or caspase-2-specific inhibitor Z-VDVAD resulted in a partial and transient prevention of this process. Oocyte death was significantly reduced by the antioxidant agent NAC and partly prevented by KL and IGF-I growth factors. Finally, oocyte apoptosis was reduced by calpain inhibitor I and increased by rapamycin after prolonged culture. These results support the notion that fetal oocytes undergo degeneration mostly by apoptosis. This process is, however, often morphologically atypical and encompasses other forms of cell death including caspase-independent apoptosis and autophagia. The observation that oocyte death occurs mainly at certain stages of meiosis and can only be attenuated by typical anti-apoptotic treatments favors the notion that it is controlled at least in part by stage-specific oocyte-autonomous meiotic checkpoints and when activated is little amenable to inhibition being the oocyte able to switch back and forth among different death pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Lobascio
- Section of Histology and Embryology, Department of Public Health and Cell Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
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De Felici M, Klinger FG, Farini D, Scaldaferri ML, Iona S, Lobascio M. Establishment of oocyte population in the fetal ovary: primordial germ cell proliferation and oocyte programmed cell death. Reprod Biomed Online 2005; 10:182-91. [PMID: 15823221 DOI: 10.1016/s1472-6483(10)60939-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Strict control of cell proliferation and cell loss is essential for the coordinated functions of different cell populations in complex multicellular organisms. Oogenesis is characterized by a first phase occurring during embryo-fetal life and in common with spermatogenesis, during which mitotic proliferation of the germline stem cells, the primordial germ cells (PGC), prevails over germ cell death. The result is the formation of a relatively high number of germ cells depending on the species, ready to enter sex specific differentiation. In the female, PGC enter into meiosis and become oocytes, thereby ending their stem cell potential. After entering into meiosis in the fetal ovary, oocytes pass through leptotene, zygotene and pachytene stages before arresting in the last stage of meiotic prophase I, the diplotene or dictyate stage at about the time of birth. The most part of oocytes die during the fetal period or shortly after birth. It is widely accepted that in mammals a female is born with a fixed number of oocytes within the ovaries, which over the years progressively decreases without possibility for renewal. Once the oocyte reserve has been exhausted, ovarian senescence, driving what is referred to as the menopause in women, rapidly ensues. The fertile lifespan of a female depends by the size of the oocyte pool at birth and the rapidity of the oocyte pool depletion. Which mechanisms control PGC proliferation? Why do most of the oocytes die during fetal life and what are the mechanisms of such massive degeneration? Is it possible to prolong the lifespan of a female by reducing oocyte lost during the fetal life? This review reports some of the most recent results obtained in an attempt to answer these questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo De Felici
- Department of Public Health and Cell Biology, Section of Histology and Embryology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Via Montpellier 1, 00173 Rome, Italy.
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De Felici M, Scaldaferri ML, Lobascio M, Iona S, Nazzicone V, Klinger FG, Farini D. Experimental approaches to the study of primordial germ cell lineage and proliferation. Hum Reprod Update 2004; 10:197-206. [PMID: 15140867 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmh020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [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: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
New information regarding primordial germ cell (PGC's) segregation and proliferation over the last decade is reviewed. Advances have been obtained in the mouse but current knowledge of human PGC's remains scant. Questions still fully or partially unresolved about the emergence of the germline in mammals are addressed. (i) When and where is the germ line set aside in the embryo? (ii) How is the germ line segregated from the somatic lineages? (iii) Which factors guide PGC's to the gonadal ridges? (iv) Which factors regulate PGC's proliferation? The main purpose of this review is to outline the information obtained using mainly in vitro culture systems about two aspects of these processes namely the segregation of PGC's and their proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- M De Felici
- Department of Public Health and Cell Biology, Section of Histology and Embryology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome.
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Maccarrone M, DeFelici M, Klinger FG, Battista N, Fezza F, Dainese E, Siracusa G, Finazzi-Agrò A. Mouse blastocysts release a lipid which activates anandamide hydrolase in intact uterus. Mol Hum Reprod 2004; 10:215-21. [PMID: 14985476 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gah034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [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: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Anandamide (N-arachidonoylethanolamine, AEA) is a major endocannabinoid, known to impair mouse pregnancy and embryo development and to induce apoptosis in blastocysts. Here we show that mouse blastocysts rapidly (within 30 min of culture) release a soluble compound, that increases by approximately 2.5-fold the activity of AEA hydrolase (fatty acid amide hydrolase, FAAH) present in the mouse uterus, without affecting FAAH gene expression at the translational level. This "FAAH activator" was produced by both trophoblast and inner cell mass cells, and its initial biochemical characterization showed that it was fully neutralized by adding lipase to the blastocyst-conditioned medium (BCM), and was potentiated by adding trypsin to BCM. Other proteases, phospholipases A(2), C or D, DNAse I or RNAse A were ineffective. BCM did not affect the AEA-synthesizing phospholipase D, the AEA-binding cannabinoid receptors, or the selective AEA membrane transporter in mouse uterus. The FAAH activator was absent in uterine fluid from pregnant mice and could not be identified with any factor known to be released by blastocysts. In fact, platelet-activating factor inhibited non-competitively FAAH in mouse uterus extracts, but not in intact uterine horns, whereas leukotriene B(4) or prostaglandins E(2) and F(2)alpha had no effect. Overall, it can be suggested that blastocysts may protect themselves against the noxious effects of uterine endocannabinoids by locally releasing a lipid able to cross the cell membranes and to activate FAAH. The precise molecular identity of this activator, the first ever reported for FAAH, remains to be elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Maccarrone
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Teramo, Piazza A. Moro 45, Teramo 64100, Italy.
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Moe-Behrens GHG, Klinger FG, Eskild W, Grotmol T, Haugen TB, De Felici M. Akt/PTEN Signaling Mediates Estrogen-Dependent Proliferation of Primordial Germ Cellsin Vitro. Mol Endocrinol 2003; 17:2630-8. [PMID: 14525951 DOI: 10.1210/me.2003-0006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [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: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Testicular tumors in humans are reported to be significantly increasing in incidence. Embryo exposure to environmental estrogens has been proposed as one of the possible underlying causes. In mice, genetic, immunological, and experimental evidence suggest that germ cell testicular tumors may derive from primordial germ cells (PGCs), the embryonic precursors of gametes. Here we show that relatively high concentrations of estrogens stimulate mouse PGC growth in vitro through the somatic cells of the gonadal ridges. Moreover, we found that estrogens stimulate the transcription of the Steel gene and the production of c-Kit ligand in gonadal somatic cells, and that this growth factor is likely to be responsible for the observed stimulation of PGC growth via an Akt/PTEN pathway. Finally, we show that estrogen stimulation of gonadal somatic cells in culture, in combination with PTEN down-regulation in PGCs and the presence of leukemia inhibitory factor in the culture medium, result in high frequency of PGC transformation in tumorigenic cells. Based on these results, we present a novel experimental in vitro model for tumorigenic germ cell transformation and identify molecular pathways likely involved in development of germ cell tumors after estrogen exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerd H G Moe-Behrens
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Andrology Laboratory, Rikshospitalet, University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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Iona S, Klinger FG, Sisti R, Ciccalese R, Nunziata A, De Felici M. A comparative study of cytotoxic effects of N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea, adriamycin, and mono-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate on mouse primordial germ cells. Cell Biol Toxicol 2002; 18:131-45. [PMID: 12046691 DOI: 10.1023/a:1015336318623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [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: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Several strategies for the assessment of reproductive toxicity of chemical compounds has have been proposed. In the present work, we devised experimental in vitro assays to test the effect of potential toxicants on proliferating primordial germ cells (PGCs) in vitro using recently developed methods for isolation and culture of mouse PGCs. Primordial germ cells are the embryonic precursors of gametes of the adult that carry the genome from generation to generation. Any damage or mutations caused to these cells by potential toxicants might impair normal reproduction and be transmitted to next generation. Three representative compounds, N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU), adriamycin (ADR), and mono-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (MEHP), toxic to different targets and known to affect germ cell development and impair fertility, were tested on PGCs in culture using three different experimental protocols. Survival and growth of PGCs and their ability to adhere to cell monolayers, were taken as endpoints for drug effects. For each compound, sublethal and acute toxicity doses were determined. In addition, information about the mechanisms of action of these compounds on PGCs was obtained. Whereas the effects of ENU and ADR on PGCs were attributable to growth inhibition and apoptosis induction, MEHP affected PGC adhesion to somatic cells without significantly altering their growth and survival. The results of our in vitro tests were not always exactly predictive of the effects of the tested compounds on PGCs in vivo, determined in parallel experiments in which pregnant mice were exposed to the same compounds. Nevertheless, they can provide information on the sensitivity of PGCs to the direct action of drugs or the mechanisms of action of such agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Iona
- Department of Public Health and Cell Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy
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Klinger FG, De Felici M. In vitro development of growing oocytes from fetal mouse oocytes: stage-specific regulation by stem cell factor and granulosa cells. Dev Biol 2002; 244:85-95. [PMID: 11900461 DOI: 10.1006/dbio.2002.0592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [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: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The development of follicles in the mammalian ovary involves a bidirectional communication system between the follicular cells and oocyte that is now beginning to be characterized. Little is known about the mechanisms underlying the beginning of the oocyte growth and the acquisition of the competence to resume meiosis by the growing oocyte. In the present study, we devised a multistep culture system for mouse oocytes obtained from 15.5- to 16.5-days postcoitum embryos (mean diameter +/- SEM, 9.7 +/- 1.3 microm), allowing three stages of the oocyte growth to be identified: (i) an early stage in which the oocyte growth is induced by direct stimulation of a soluble growth factor, namely stem cell factor (SCF), independent of the formation of gap junctions with granulosa cells; (ii) a second phase in which the oocyte growth depends on the combined action of SCF and contacts with granulosa cells; and (iii) a third phase of granulosa cell-dependent, SCF-independent growth. At each stage, key events of oocyte development and differentiation, such as the c-kit reexpression, the early zona pellucida assembly, and the beginning of follicologenesis, were observed to occur independently by the presence of SCF. At the end of the in vitro growing phases, lasting 18-20 days, oocytes reached a size (50 +/- 2.5 microm) and a chromatin differentiation (stage I-II) equivalent to those of 9- to 10-day-old preantral oocytes and were unable to complete the growth phase. About 50% of the in vitro-grown oocytes were induced to resume meiosis by okadaic acid (OA) treatment. However, a significant fraction of them (48%) showed inability to maintain the chromosome condensation in M-phase. When in vitro-grown oocytes were treated with UO126, a specific MEK inhibitor that prevents activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (ERK-1 and ERK-2), for 1 h before, during, and following OA treatment, only 22% of oocytes underwent germinal vesicle breakdown after 24 h from the OA treatment. These studies demonstrate that SCF alone can induce the onset of the oocyte growth. This is, however, not sufficient to fully activate the mechanisms governing the acquisition of the meiotic competence previously described as a 15-day oocyte-autonomous clock starting at the onset of growth. The inability of oocytes to progress into the last stages of growth and the lack of synchrony between nuclear and cytoplasm maturation showed by a subset of them resemble the characteristics of oocytes from connexin-37- and -43-deficient mice and indicate the preantral/antral transition point as a critical stage of oocyte development requiring the coordinated differentiation of the oocyte with granulosa cells and the maintenance of adequate communication between these two cell types to assure the correct oocyte meiotic maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Gioia Klinger
- Department of Public Health and Cell Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, 00133, Italy
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Pesce M, Klinger FG, De Felici M. Derivation in culture of primordial germ cells from cells of the mouse epiblast: phenotypic induction and growth control by Bmp4 signalling. Mech Dev 2002; 112:15-24. [PMID: 11850175 DOI: 10.1016/s0925-4773(01)00624-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [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: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are the embryonic precursors of the gametes of the adult. PGCs derive from cells of the most proximal part of the cup-shaped epiblast corresponding to the presumptive region of the extraembryonic mesoderm. At 7.2 days post coitum (dpc) a small group of PGCs located at the base of the allantois can be recognised due to a strong alkaline phosphatase activity. Thus far, scant information was available on the mechanism(s) controlling the lineage of PGCs in the mouse embryo. However, results obtained in mice defective for bone morphogenetic protein-4 (Bmp4) secreted molecule revealed that this growth factor has important functions for the derivation of PGCs from extraembryonic mesoderm cells. In this paper, we have studied the effects in culture of Bmp4 on epiblast cells obtained from egg-cylinder stage mouse embryos (5.5-6.0 dpc) and PGCs from 11.5 dpc embryos. We found that Bmp4 treatment enables recruitment of pluripotent cells to a PGC phenotype by a multi-step process involving an initial pre-commitment of epiblast cells and a following stage of PGC phenotypic determination. We further provide evidences that Bmp4 may promote the growth of gonadal PGCs through a Smad1/4 signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Pesce
- Department of Public Health and Cell Biology, Section of Histology and Embryology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
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