scholarly journals Androgen Promotes Differentiation of PLZF+ Spermatogonia pool via Indirect Regulatory Pattern

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingjing Wang ◽  
Jinmei Li ◽  
Yunzhao Gu ◽  
Qin Xia ◽  
Weixiang Song ◽  
...  

AbstractAndrogen signaling plays a pivotal role in spermatogenesis, but the molecular mechanisms underlying androgen action in this process are unclear. Specifically, it is unknown if the androgen receptor (AR) is expressed in germ cells. Thus it’s interesting to reveal how androgen induces differentiation of spermatogonial progenitor cells (SPCs) in the niche. Here we observed the AR is primarily expressed in pre-spermatogonia of mice 2 days post partum (dpp), absent before spermatogenesis onset, and then expressed in surrounding Sertoli cells. Then we examined a regulatory role of the AR in spermatogenesis using a SPCs-Sertoli cells co-culture system, and demonstrated that androgen negatively regulated Plzf (the gene for stemness maintenance of SPCs). Additionally, we identified Gata2 as a target of AR in Sertoli cells, and demonstrated that Wilms tumor 1 (WT1) and β1-integrin as two putative intermediate molecules to transfer differentiation signals to SPCs, which was further verified using androgen pharmacological-deprivation mice model. These results demonstrate a regulatory pattern of androgen in SPCs niche in an indirect way via multiple steps of signal transduction.

Zygote ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 4 (04) ◽  
pp. 349-351 ◽  
Author(s):  
Massimo De Felici ◽  
Anna Di Carlo ◽  
Maurizio Pesce

During embryogenesis germ cells originate from primordial germ cells (PGCs). The development of mammalian PGCs involves a number of complex events (formation and segregation of PGC precursors, PGC migration and proliferation) which lead to the differentiation of oocytes or prospermatogonia (for a review see De Feliciet al., 1992). During recent years developments in methods for isolation, purification and culture of mouse PGCs have led to significant progress in the understanding of molecular mechanisms of migration, proliferation and differentiation of these cells (for reviews see De Felici, 1994; and De Felici & Pesce, 1994a). In this paper we describe the key role played by stem cell factor (SCF) in PGC development and early folliculogenesis.


Reproduction ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 152 (2) ◽  
pp. R31-R40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong Wang ◽  
Liping Wen ◽  
Qingqing Yuan ◽  
Min Sun ◽  
Minghui Niu ◽  
...  

Within the seminiferous tubules there are two major cell types, namely male germ cells and Sertoli cells. Recent studies have demonstrated that male germ cells and Sertoli cells can have significant applications in treating male infertility and other diseases. However, primary male germ cells are hard to proliferatein vitroand the number of spermatogonial stem cells is scarce. Therefore, methods that promote the expansion of these cell populations are essential for their use from the bench to the bed side. Notably, a number of cell lines for rodent spermatogonia, spermatocytes and Sertoli cells have been developed, and significantly we have successfully established a human spermatogonial stem cell line with an unlimited proliferation potential and no tumor formation. This newly developed cell line could provide an abundant source of cells for uncovering molecular mechanisms underlying human spermatogenesis and for their utilization in the field of reproductive and regenerative medicine. In this review, we discuss the methods for establishing spermatogonial, spermatocyte and Sertoli cell lines using various kinds of approaches, including spontaneity, transgenic animals with oncogenes, simian virus 40 (SV40) large T antigen, the gene coding for a temperature-sensitive mutant ofp53, telomerase reverse gene (Tert), and the specific promoter-based selection strategy. We further highlight the essential applications of these cell lines in basic research and translation medicine.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dianne J. Beveridge ◽  
Kirsty L. Richardson ◽  
Michael R. Epis ◽  
Rikki A. M. Brown ◽  
Lisa M. Stuart ◽  
...  

AbstractRNA-based therapeutics are emerging as innovative options for cancer treatment, with microRNAs being attractive targets for therapy development. We previously implicated microRNA-642a-5p (miR-642a-5p) as a tumor suppressor in prostate cancer (PCa), and here we characterize its mode of action, using 22Rv1 PCa cells. In an in vivo xenograft tumor model, miR-642a-5p induced a significant decrease in tumor growth, compared to negative control. Using RNA-Sequencing, we identified gene targets of miR-642a-5p which were enriched for gene sets controlling cell cycle; downregulated genes included Wilms Tumor 1 gene (WT1), NUAK1, RASSF3 and SKP2; and upregulated genes included IGFBP3 and GPS2. Analysis of PCa patient datasets showed a higher expression of WT1, NUAK1, RASSF3 and SKP2; and a lower expression of GPS2 and IGFBP3 in PCa tissue compared to non-malignant prostate tissue. We confirmed the prostatic oncogene WT1, as a direct target of miR-642a-5p, and treatment of 22Rv1 and LNCaP PCa cells with WT1 siRNA or a small molecule inhibitor of WT1 reduced cell proliferation. Taken together, these data provide insight into the molecular mechanisms by which miR-642a-5p acts as a tumor suppressor in PCa, an effect partially mediated by regulating genes involved in cell cycle control; and restoration of miR-642-5p in PCa could represent a novel therapeutic approach.


2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 169-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qin Xia ◽  
Danchen Zhang ◽  
Jingjing Wang ◽  
Xiaoyu Zhang ◽  
Weixiang Song ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Huaming Xi ◽  
Fa Ren ◽  
Yu Li ◽  
Yeqing Du ◽  
Liqiang Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract Seasonal reproduction contributes to increased chances of offspring survival in some animals. Dairy goats are seasonal breeding mammals. In this study, adult male Guanzhong dairy goats (10–12 months old) were used. Testis size, semen quality, hormone level, apoptosis of germ cells, and autophagy of Sertoli cells were analyzed in dairy goats during the breeding (October) and non-breeding (April) seasons. We found that, during the non-breeding season for dairy goats, semen quality, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels, and testosterone levels were reduced, and the number of apoptotic germ cells increased. The proliferation with decrease activity of germ cells in dairy goat during the non-breeding season was significantly affected. However, the testis size did not change seasonally. Interestingly, Sertoli cell autophagy was more active during the non-breeding season. The expression levels of FSH receptor (FSHR), wilms tumor 1 (WT1), androgen binding protein (ABP), glial cell derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), and stem cell factor (SCF) decreased in dairy goats during the non-breeding season. In summary, our results indicate that spermatogenesis in dairy goats during the non-breeding season was not completely arrested. In addition, germ cell apoptosis and the morphology of Sertoli cells considerably changed in dairy goats during the non-breeding season. Sertoli cell autophagy is involved in the seasonal regulation of spermatogenesis in dairy goats. These findings provide key insights into the fertility and spermatogenesis of seasonal breeding animals.


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 1379
Author(s):  
Xiaorui Fan ◽  
Yihui Liu ◽  
Meishan Yue ◽  
Weidong Yue ◽  
Gaoya Ren ◽  
...  

Spontaneous unilateral cryptorchid boars have one testis in the abdomen or inguinal canal, causing its temperature to be at or near the body temperature, which impairs spermatogenesis, although the histomorphometry and molecular mechanisms underlying this process remain unclear. The aim of the present study was to determine the histomorphometry, proliferation, apoptosis, and autophagy alterations in spermatogonia and Sertoli cells in unilateral cryptorchid, scrotal (contrascrotal), and preweaning piglet (preweaning) testes. Histomorphometrical analysis of cryptorchid testes showed that the seminiferous tubules contained only Sertoli cells and a few spermatogonia, but did not contain post-meiotic germ cells. The number of spermatogonia markedly decreased, and the number of Sertoli cells did not change remarkably in cryptorchid testes. TUNEL assay results showed that apoptosis signals were predominantly observed in spermatogonia. In cryptorchid and contrascrotal testes, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and LC3 were located in spermatogonia. The number of PCNA-positive, TUNEL-positive, and LC3-positive germ cells was low, and the protein and mRNA levels of PCNA and LC3 were significantly decreased in cryptorchid testes. Taken together, the number of Sertoli cells did not change remarkably, whereas the number of germ cells decreased in the cryptorchid testes, compared with that in the contrascrotal testes. Insufficient proliferation, excessive apoptosis, and autophagy were involved in the regulation of the decrease in spermatogonia in cryptorchid boar testes.


Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 118 (21) ◽  
pp. 5237-5237
Author(s):  
Hala Abalkhail ◽  
Hassan El-Solh ◽  
Amal Alseraihy ◽  
Mouhab Ayas ◽  
Ali Al-Ahmari ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 5237 The synonymous single nucleotide polymorphism rs16754 in the Wilms Tumor-1 gene (WT1) has been reported to correlate with outcome in adult patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) when treated with intensive chemotherapy. Specifically the GG genotype is significantly associated with favorable outcome, but also the AG genotype has been reported to be associated with better outcome as well. The clinical relevance of the rs16754 SNP in pediatric AML patients is far from clarified. In addition, it is not known whether allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) can modify the role of this SNP and its association with outcome. Methods: Genotyping of the SNP by direct sequencing of the exon 7 was performed on bone marrow samples from 86 AML patients (38 pediatrics and 48 adults). All patients were treated with HSCT. Most patients (39 adults and 28 pediatrics) were transplanted in first remission (CR1). The median age was 25 years (range: 14–54) for adults and 8 years (range: 8 months–14 years) for the pediatric group. Results: In pediatric AML, we detected the AA genotype in 22 patients (53%), the GG genotype in 2 patients (5%) and the remaining (42%) had AG genotype. In the adult patients, the AA genotypye was present in 26 patients (54%), GG genotype in 3 (6%) patients, and the AG genotype in the remaining patients (39%). A similar distribution was observed in the normal population (58%, 12%, 30%, for AA, GG, and AG, respectively). In pediatric patients, the AG genotype significantly correlated with shorter overall survival (OS) (P=0.04) and event free survival (EFS) (P=0.04) when compared with the patients with AA genotype. In contrast, in adult AML, groups with AG and AA geneotypes completely overlapped for OS and EFS. When only patients treated with HSCT in CR1 were considered, the pediatric patients showed the same trend (P=0.07), but there was no correlation with survival in the adult group. This analysis included patients with intermediate and adverse risk cytogenetics. AG genotype was not a predictor of outcome in multivariate model incorporating cytogenetics and the WT1 genotype. The patients with the GG genotype were too few for analysis. Conclusion: This data supports the concept that the biology of AML in pediatric patient is different from that in adults. The role of this synonymous SNP in AML needs further exploration, especially investigating the potential that this SNP may have some effects on the host and not only the disease. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 2680-2686 ◽  
Author(s):  
YAN LI ◽  
JIYING WANG ◽  
XIAOYAN LI ◽  
YUJIAO JIA ◽  
LEI HUAI ◽  
...  

Reproduction ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 151 (5) ◽  
pp. 527-538 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Faure ◽  
E Guibert ◽  
S Alves ◽  
B Pain ◽  
C Ramé ◽  
...  

Abstract Metformin, an insulin sensitiser from the biguanide family of molecules, is used for the treatment of insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes individuals. It increases peripheral glucose uptake and may reduce food intake. Based on the tight link between metabolism and fertility, we investigated the role of metformin on testicular function using in vitro culture of Sertoli cells and seminiferous tubules, complemented by in vivo data obtained following metformin administration to prepubertal chickens. In vitro, metformin treatment reduced Sertoli cell proliferation without inducing apoptosis and morphological changes. The metabolism of Sertoli cells was affected because lactate secretion by Sertoli cells increased approximately twofold and intracellular free ATP was negatively impacted. Two important pathways regulating proliferation and metabolism in Sertoli cells were assayed. Metformin exposure was not associated with an increased phosphorylation of AKT or ERK. There was a 90% reduction in the proportion of proliferating germ cells after a 96-h exposure of seminiferous tubule cultures to metformin. In vivo, 6-week-old chickens treated with metformin for 3 weeks exhibited reduced testicular weight and a 50% decrease in testosterone levels. The expression of a marker of undifferentiated germ cells was unchanged in contrast to the decrease in expression of ‘protamine’, a marker of differentiated germ cells. In conclusion, these results suggest that metformin affects the testicular energy content and the proliferative ability of Sertoli and germ cells. Reproduction (2016) 151 527–538


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