scholarly journals FBXO18/Circrna211/Mir-431/CSF1 Axis Regulates the Establishment of Endometrial Receptivity Though Activating MAPK and CSF1R/PI3K/AKT/Mtor Pathways in Dairy Goats

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lichun Yang ◽  
Xiaorui Liu ◽  
Lei Zhang ◽  
Danni Li ◽  
Guili Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Regulatory Network ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Endometrial Receptivity ◽  
Physiological Status ◽  
Dairy Goats ◽  
In Vivo Models ◽  
Endometrial Epithelial Cells

Abstract Background: Endometrial epithelial cells proliferation and secretion of various cytokines have a strong impact on the formation of receptive endometrium, which is known as a physiological status that allows an activated embryo to attach to the endometrium for a limited time. Circular RNAs and miRNAs can be involved in the dynamic physiological changes of endometrium by regulating relevant functional target genes in the uterus. Our work presented here with the ultimate purpose of revealing the latent molecular mechanism of FBXO18/circRNA211/miR-431/CSF1 axis in the establishment of endometrial receptivity of dairy goats.Results: In vitro, we found a regulatory network of FBXO18/circRNA211/miR-431/CSF1 in goat endometrial epithelial cells that circRNA211 severed as a sponge for miR-431, resulting in weakening the inhibition of miR-431 on target genes CSF1 and FBXO18. FBXO18/circRNA211/miR-431/CSF1 axis promoted the proliferation through regulating the key proteins of Ras, Raf, MEK, ERK in MAPK pathway via CCK-8, EdU, flow cytometry and Western blot assays. Furthermore, FBXO18/circRNA211/miR-431/CSF1 axis activated the phosphorylation of key proteins PI3K, AKT and mTOR in PI3K-mTOR pathway by CSF1R, thereby promoting the establishment of endometrial receptivity. In vivo models, mice injected with miR-431 agomir showed that the endometrial thickness and the number of pinopodes were significantly decreased by HE staining and scanning electron microscope. Immunohistochemistry results showed that VEGF and OPN proteins were down-regulated and MUC1 protein was up-regulated under the treatment of miR-431 agomir. Further study demonstrated that miR-431 inhibited embryo implantation by impeding the establishment of endometrial receptivity.Conclusion: Ultimately, our study revealed a regulatory mechanism of FBXO18/circRNA211/miR-431/CSF1 axis in goat endometrial epithelial cells. This circRNA/miRNA/mRNA regulatory network presented here in vitro and in vivo models may provide a novel insight into the potentially regulating endometrium biological functions and promoting the formation of endometrium receptivity.

scholarly journals Uncovering and Engineering a Mini-Regulatory Network of the TetR-Family Regulator SACE_0303 for Yield Improvement of Erythromycin in Saccharopolyspora erythraea

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Liu ◽  
Sabir Khan ◽  
Panpan Wu ◽  
Bowen Li ◽  
Lanlan Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Regulatory Network ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Antibacterial Activities ◽  
Saccharopolyspora Erythraea ◽  
High Yield ◽  
Yield Strain ◽  
Yield Improvement ◽  
Erythromycin Production

Erythromycins produced by Saccharopolyspora erythraea have broad-spectrum antibacterial activities. Recently, several TetR-family transcriptional regulators (TFRs) were identified to control erythromycin production by multiplex control modes; however, their regulatory network remains poorly understood. In this study, we report a novel TFR, SACE_0303, positively correlated with erythromycin production in Sac. erythraea. It directly represses its adjacent gene SACE_0304 encoding a MarR-family regulator and indirectly stimulates the erythromycin biosynthetic gene eryAI and resistance gene ermE. SACE_0304 negatively regulates erythromycin biosynthesis by directly inhibiting SACE_0303 as well as eryAI and indirectly repressing ermE. Then, the SACE_0303 binding site within the SACE_0303-SACE_0304 intergenic region was defined. Through genome scanning combined with in vivo and in vitro experiments, three additional SACE_0303 target genes (SACE_2467 encoding cation-transporting ATPase, SACE_3156 encoding a large transcriptional regulator, SACE_5222 encoding α-ketoglutarate permease) were identified and proved to negatively affect erythromycin production. Finally, by coupling CRISPRi-based repression of those three targets with SACE_0304 deletion and SACE_0303 overexpression, we performed stepwise engineering of the SACE_0303-mediated mini-regulatory network in a high-yield strain, resulting in enhanced erythromycin production by 67%. In conclusion, the present study uncovered the regulatory network of a novel TFR for control of erythromycin production and provides a multiplex tactic to facilitate the engineering of industrial actinomycetes for yield improvement of antibiotics.

Treatment of Intrauterine Adhesions with Human Amnion Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (hAMSCs) on Promoting Endometrial Regeneration and Repair Via Notch Signaling Pathway Regulation

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Yu ◽  
Wenwen Zhang ◽  
Jiayue Huang ◽  
Yating Gou ◽  
Congcong Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Notch Signaling ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Notch Signaling Pathway ◽  
Intrauterine Adhesions ◽  
Epithelial Markers ◽  
Qrt Pcr ◽  
Endometrial Epithelial Cells

Abstract Background: Human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells(hAMSCs) can repair and improve the damaged endometrium which its aplastic disorder is the main reason for intrauterine adhesions(IUAs).Methods: We conducted in vivo and in vitro experiments. In vivo experiments: 45 female Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats were involved and randomized equally into Sham group, IUA group, Estradiol(E2) group, hAMSCs group, and E2 + hAMSCs group. The effect of hAMSCs and E2 only or combined was evaluated by Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) and Masson staining. The expression of epithelial markers and key proteins of Notch signaling pathway by Immunohistochemistry. In vitro experiments: Firstly, the hAMSCs cells were taken and divided into control group and induced group in which hAMSCs were differentiated into endometrial epithelial cells in induced microenvironment, and extracted their RNA respectively. The expression of epithelial markers and Notch1 messenger RNA (mRNA) was detected by Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR). and the changes in expression position of Notch intracellular domain(NICD) and expression amount of target gene, hairy enhancer of split 1(Hes1) were detected by Immunofluorescence. Then, Activated and inhibited the Notch signaling pathway while induction, and detected mRNA expression of hAMSCs epithelial markers by quantitative real-time polymerase chainreaction (qRT-PCR) respectively and detected hAMSCs cell cycle by flow cytometric. Results:This study showed that hAMSCs alone or combined with E2 could promote endometrial repair, and Notch signaling pathway a great role in it. And otherwise, the activation or habitation of Notch signaling pathway determines whether hAMSCs could differentiate into endometrial epithelial cells or not.Conclusion: we concluded that activate the Notch signaling pathway promote the differentiation of hAMSCs into endometrial epithelial cells, and further treat IUAs.

scholarly journals Mitochondrial dysfunction induced by high estradiol concentrations in endometrial epithelial cells

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chia-Hung Chou ◽  
Shee-Uan Chen ◽  
Chin-Der Chen ◽  
Chia-Tung Shun ◽  
Wen-Fen Wen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Mitochondrial Dysfunction ◽  
Embryo Implantation ◽  
Ros Production ◽  
Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Equine Chorionic Gonadotropin ◽  
In Vivo Effects ◽  
Endometrial Epithelial Cells

Abstract Context A supraphysiological estradiol (E2) concentration after ovarian stimulation is known to result in lower embryo implantation rates in in vitro fertilization (IVF). Endometrial epithelial cells (EECs) apoptosis occurs after the stimulation with high E2 concentrations, and mitochondria play important roles in cell apoptosis. Objective To investigate the mitochondrial function in EECs after the stimulation with high E2 concentrations. Materials and Methods Human EECs were purified and cultured with different E2 concentrations (10-10, 10-9, 10-8, 10-7 M) in vitro, in which 10-7 M is supraphysiologically high. Eight-week-old female mouse endometrium was obtained 5.5 days after the injection of 1.25 IU or 20 IU equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG), roughly during the embryo implantation window, to examine the in vivo effects of high E2 concentrations on mouse EECs. Results In vivo and in vitro experiments demonstrated decreased mitochondrial DNA contents and ATP formation after EECs were stimulated with supraphysiologically high E2 concentrations than those stimulated with a physiologic E2 concentration. Less prominent immunofluorescence mitochondrial staining, fewer mitochondria number under electron microscopy, lower JC-1 aggregate/monomer ratio, and greater reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were found after EECs were stimulated with supraphysiologically high E2 concentrations. The high E2-induced ROS production was reduced when EECs were pretreated with N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) in vitro, but remained unchanged after the pretreatment with coenzyme Q10. Conclusion High E2 concentrations increase extra-mitochondrial ROS production in EECs and subsequently result in mitochondrial dysfunction.

scholarly journals FC 041TUBULAR EPITHELIAL CELL POLYPLOIDY IS ESSENTIAL TO SURVIVE AKI BUT IT CONTRIBUTES TO CKD PROGRESSION

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Letizia De Chiara ◽  
Elena Lazzeri ◽  
Paola Romagnani
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Renal Function ◽  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Kidney Function ◽  
Nuclear Translocation ◽  
Ckd Progression ◽  
In Vivo Models ◽  
Polyploid Cells

Abstract Background and Aims Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is a syndrome characterized by an acute deterioration of renal function. Due to its high prevalence and poor short-term outcomes, AKI represents a global healthcare issue. Many epidemiologic studies have indicated that the development of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) features prominently among the numerous long-term complications of AKI. The pathophysiological basis for this phenomenon has remained unclear so far. Recently, we found that tubular epithelial cells (TEC) undergo endoreplication-mediated hypertrophy after AKI. Endoreplications are incomplete cell cycles that lead to the formation of polyploid cells. Physiologically, polyploidy offers several advantages such as rapid adaptation to stress, compensation for cell loss and enhanced cell function. However, as renal epithelial cells are massively lost after AKI, TEC polyploidy may constitute an effective strategy to sustain a temporary functional recovery of the kidney without restoring tissue integrity potentially leading to CKD. Therefore, we hypothesized that: 1) polyploid TEC are an adaptive stress response required to maintain kidney function after AKI; 2) polyploid TEC are involved in the AKI to CKD progression. Method To address these hypotheses, we employed a series of in vitro and in vivo transgenic models based on the Fluorescence Ubiquitin Cell Cycle Indicator (FUCCI) technology to monitor cell cycle phasing in combination with YAP1 overexpression or downregulation. In the in vivo models, YAP1 overexpressing mice and YAP1 knock-out mice were subjected to unilateral ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) or glycerol-induced rhabdomyolysis to induce AKI. Polyploid cells have been then characterized by single cell-RNA sequencing analysis, cell sorting, super-resolution STED microscopy and transmission electron microscopy in both mouse and human. Results In vitro, human renal tubular cells undergo polyploidization. The fraction of polyploid cells significantly decreases when YAP1 nuclear translocation is blocked, indicating a possible involvement of YAP1 in regulating TEC polyploidy. After AKI in mice, YAP1 expression and nuclear translocation are significantly enhanced. The inhibition of YAP1 following AKI, reduces the number of polyploid cells impairing kidney function and causing a dramatic reduction of mouse survival. In contrast, YAP1 overexpression leads to an increase in the number of polyploid cells even in the absence of kidney damage (healthy mice). Strikingly, these healthy mice, despite having an increased percentage of polyploid cells, present an unexpected decline of renal function suggesting an association between increased polyploidy and CKD development. Indeed, they develop tubulointerstitial fibrosis acquiring a marked senescent phenotype triggering CKD. Isolation of polyploid cells proved that these cells actively transcribe and secrete pro-fibrotic factors thus confirming their role in CKD progression. Conclusion Collectively, these data suggest that: 1) polyploidization after AKI is required to maintain kidney function allowing survival; 2) polyploid cells are pro-fibrotic leading in the long run to CKD progression.

scholarly journals In Vitro and In Vivo Assessment of PEGylated PEI for Anti-IL-8/CxCL-1 siRNA Delivery to the Lungs

Nanomaterials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1248
Author(s):  
Alan J. Hibbitts ◽  
Joanne M. Ramsey ◽  
James Barlow ◽  
Ronan MacLoughlin ◽  
Sally-Ann Cryan
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Pulmonary Inflammation ◽  
Sirna Delivery ◽  
Airway Epithelial Cells ◽  
Lung Model ◽  
Airway Epithelial ◽  
In Vivo Models ◽  
Gene And Protein Expression

Inhalation offers a means of rapid, local delivery of siRNA to treat a range of autoimmune or inflammatory respiratory conditions. This work investigated the potential of a linear 10 kDa Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-modified 25 kDa branched polyethyleneimine (PEI) (PEI-LPEG) to effectively deliver siRNA to airway epithelial cells. Following optimization with anti- glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) siRNA, PEI and PEI-LPEG anti-IL8 siRNA nanoparticles were assessed for efficacy using polarised Calu-3 human airway epithelial cells and a twin stage impinger (TSI) in vitro lung model. Studies were then advanced to an in vivo lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated rodent model of inflammation. In parallel, the suitability of the siRNA-loaded nanoparticles for nebulization using a vibrating mesh nebuliser was assessed. The siRNA nanoparticles were nebulised using an Aerogen® Pro vibrating mesh nebuliser and characterised for aerosol output, droplet size and fine particle fraction. Only PEI anti-IL8 siRNA nanoparticles were capable of significant levels of IL-8 knockdown in vitro in non-nebulised samples. However, on nebulization through a TSI, only PEI-PEG siRNA nanoparticles demonstrated significant decreases in gene and protein expression in polarised Calu-3 cells. In vivo, both anti-CXCL-1 (rat IL-8 homologue) nanoparticles demonstrated a decreased CXCL-1 gene expression in lung tissue, but this was non-significant. However, PEI anti-CXCL-1 siRNA-treated rats were found to have significantly less infiltrating macrophages in their bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. Overall, the in vivo gene and protein inhibition findings indicated a result more reminiscent of the in vitro bolus delivery rather than the in vitro nebulization data. This work demonstrates the potential of nebulised PEI-PEG siRNA nanoparticles in modulating pulmonary inflammation and highlights the need to move towards more relevant in vitro and in vivo models for respiratory drug development.

CircRNA-9119 regulates the expression of prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2) by sponging miR-26a in the endometrial epithelial cells of dairy goat

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (12) ◽  
pp. 1759 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Zhang ◽  
Xiaorui Liu ◽  
Sicheng Che ◽  
Jiuzeng Cui ◽  
Yuexia Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Dairy Goat ◽  
Circular Rnas ◽  
Protein Markers ◽  
Dairy Goats ◽  
Prostaglandin Endoperoxide ◽  
Competing Endogenous Rnas ◽  
Prostaglandin Endoperoxide Synthase ◽  
Endometrial Epithelial Cells

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been found to play important functional roles in epigenetic regulation under certain physiological and pathological conditions. However, knowledge of circRNAs during the development of receptive endometrium (RE) from pre-RE is limited. In the RE of dairy goats, higher circRNA-9119 levels, with lower miR-26a and higher prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2) levels, were detected. Further study showed that circRNA-9119 decreased levels of miR-26a by acting as a microRNA sponge, and that miR-26a downregulated the expression of PTGS2 via the predicted target site in endometrial epithelial cells (EECs) of dairy goats in vitro. In this way, circRNA-9119 functioned as a competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNA) that sequestered miR-26a, thereby protecting PTGS2 transcripts from miR-26a-mediated suppression in dairy goat EECs in vitro. Furthermore, PTGS2 participated in the regulation of some protein markers for endometrial receptivity in dairy goat EECs in vitro. Thus, a circRNA-9119–miR-26a–PTGS2 pathway in the endometrium was identified, and modulation of circRNA-9119–miR-26a–PTGS2 expression in EECs may emerge as a potential target to regulate the development of RE.

scholarly journals Paradoxical Effects of Microbial-Derived Butyrate: The Influences on Colonic Wnt/β-catenin Signaling and Cell Kinetics in In Vitro and In Vivo Models

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 333-333
Author(s):  
Ting-chun Lin ◽  
Leah Healey ◽  
Anand Soorneedi ◽  
Jinchao Li ◽  
Matthew Moore ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Wnt Signaling ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Cell Kinetics ◽  
Dietary Factors ◽  
In Vivo Models ◽  
Genetic Components

Abstract Objectives Butyrate is considered as an important mediator in the complex etiology of colorectal cancer (CRC) that integrates gut microbiota with dietary factors and genetic components. However, how microbial-derived butyrate mediates colonic tumorigenesis remains unclear, with contradictory results from only limited experimental studies. Methods In current studies, we examined the fecal concentration of butyrate in high and low fat-fed animals and its associations with Wnt-signaling and cell kinetics in the in vivo normal epithelial cells.  We further examined the influence butyrate and its receptor gene, Free Fatty Acid Receptor 2 (FFAR2), on those molecular parameters in the in vitro Caco-2 cancer cells. Results Our results showed a diminished level of fecal butyrate concentration in the high fat-fed animals, and in parallel with it are the increased Wnt/β-catenin signaling, indicated by increased active β-catenin and Wnt-signaling downstream gene expressions (p < 0.05), and altered cell kinetics, manifested by increased Ki-67 and decreased apoptosis. Whereas the results from the Caco-2 cancer cells demonstrated that the addition of butyrate surprisingly increased Wnt-signaling (p < 0.05), but was associated with cell death (p < 0.05), and the knockdown of FFAR2 by siRNA reversed the effect of butyrate on Wnt/β-catenin signaling and cell death (p < 0.05). Conclusions These paradoxical results demonstrated that butyrate may have disparate effects on tumorigenesis, depending on whether it is exerting a direct effect on normal or tumor epithelial cells, and other genetic or environmental factors. This study provided critical evidence to inform the necessity to wisely apply butyrate for cancer protection and to avoid its potential cancer-promoting effect in other circumstances. Funding Sources This project was supported by the US Department of Agriculture Hatch funding (1,013,548).

scholarly journals The impact of infertility diagnosis on embryo-endometrial dialogue

Reproduction ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 155 (6) ◽  
pp. 543-552 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason C Parks ◽  
Blair R McCallie ◽  
Alyssa L Patton ◽  
Zain A Al-Safi ◽  
Alex J Polotsky ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Strong Evidence ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Extracellular Vesicle ◽  
Negative Regulation ◽  
Cycle Regulation ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Molecular Crosstalk ◽  
Endometrial Epithelial Cells

Initial stages of implantation involve bi-directional molecular crosstalk between the blastocyst and endometrium. This study investigated an association between infertility etiologies, specifically advanced maternal age (AMA) and endometriosis, on the embryo-endometrial molecular dialogue prior to implantation. Co-culture experiments were performed with endometrial epithelial cells (EEC) and cryopreserved day 5 blastocysts (n = 41 ≥ Grade 3BB) donated from patients presenting with AMA or endometriosis, compared to fertile donor oocyte controls. Extracellular vesicles isolated from co-culture supernatant were analyzed for miRNA expression and revealed significant alterations correlating to AMA or endometriosis. Specifically, AMA resulted in 16 miRNAs with increased expression (P ≤ 0.05) and strong evidence for negative regulation toward 206 target genes. VEGFA, a known activator of cell adhesion, displayed decreased expression (P ≤ 0.05), validating negative regulation by 4 of these increased miRNAs: miR-126; 150; 29a; 29b (P ≤ 0.05). In endometriosis patients, a total of 10 significantly altered miRNAs displayed increased expression compared to controls (miR-7b; 9; 24; 34b; 106a; 191; 200b; 200c; 342-3p; 484) (P ≤ 0.05), targeting 1014 strong evidence-based genes. Three target genes of miR-106a (CDKN1A, E2F1 and RUNX1) were independently validated. Functional annotation analysis of miRNA-target genes revealed enriched pathways for both infertility etiologies, including disrupted cell cycle regulation and proliferation (P ≤ 0.05). These extracellular vesicle-bound secreted miRNAs are key transcriptional regulators in embryo-endometrial dialogue and may be prospective biomarkers of implantation success. One of the limitations of this study is that it was a stimulated, in vitro model and therefore may not accurately reflect the in-vivo environment.

PSIII-9 Supplementation of beta-carotene or fatty acids alters production of prostaglandins in bovine endometrial epithelial cells

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 288-289
Author(s):  
Allison R Harman ◽  
Rebecca Swanson
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Beta Carotene ◽  
Endometrial Cells ◽  
Prostaglandin Production ◽  
Uterine Environment ◽  
Free Media ◽  
Endometrial Epithelial Cells

Abstract Differential prostaglandin secretion from the bovine endometrium can be used as a marker for an embryotropic or embryotoxic uterine environment. Beta-carotene has antioxidant properties and is the precursor for retinol, which has been shown to improve early embryonic development in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, dietary fatty acid supplementation, specifically eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and decosahexaenoic acid (DHA) has been shown to alter prostaglandin production. The objective of this study was to determine prostaglandin production of endometrial cells following treatment with beta-carotene, EPA, or DHA. Bovine endometrial epithelial cells were treated for 24 hours with serum-free media supplemented with either 10 µM beta-carotene, 10 µM EPA, 10 µM DHA or ethanol (>1% volume/volume) vehicle control. After treatment, concentrations of PGE2 and PGF2a were analyzed in media via commercially available ELISA kits. Concentrations and ratios of prostaglandins were analyzed via ANOVA using the mixed procedure in SAS version 9.4. Beta-carotene treatment decreased PGE2 (P < 0.0001) and PGF2a (P = 0.0003) concentrations in media compared to controls. However, the ratio of PGE2:PGF2a was not different (P = 0.1203) between beta-carotene and controls. DHA treatment decreased PGE2 (P < 0.0001) concentrations in media but did not alter (P = 0.1079) PGF2a concentrations in media compared to controls. The ratio of PGE2:PGF2a was not different (P = 0.6343) between DHA and controls. EPA treatment did not alter (P = 0.1503) PGE2 concentrations in media compared to controls. Conversely, PGF2a concentrations were decreased (P = 0.0088) in media treated with EPA compared to controls. Therefore, the ratio of PGE2:PGF2a was increased (P = 0.0116) between EPA versus controls. These studies demonstrate that in vitro supplementation of EPA may alter the endometrial synthesis of prostaglandins to be more embryotropic. Therefore, EPA may be therapeutic for in vivo trials to influence the early uterine environment.

scholarly journals Boar sperm tyrosine phosphorylation patterns in the presence of oviductal epithelial cells: in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo models

Reproduction ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 146 (4) ◽  
pp. 315-324 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria Luño ◽  
Rebeca López-Úbeda ◽  
Francisco Alberto García-Vázquez ◽  
Lydia Gil ◽  
Carmen Matás
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Tyrosine Phosphorylation ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Cell Populations ◽  
Protein Tyrosine Phosphorylation ◽  
Sperm Capacitation ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
In Vivo Models

Spermatozoa transport through the oviduct is a controlled process that regulates sperm capacitation. A crucial event involved in capacitation is protein tyrosine phosphorylation (TP). This study was undertaken to determine whether similarities exist in protein TP distribution between spermatozoa bound or unbound to oviductal epithelial cells (OEC) in three different conditions: i)in vitro, spermatozoa coincubated with OEC cultures; ii)ex vivo, spermatozoa deposited in porcine oviductal explants from slaughtered animals; iii)in vivo, in which sows were inseminated and the oviduct was recovered. The localization of phosphotyrosine protein was determined using indirect immunofluorescence. The distribution of protein TP was significantly (P<0.05) different between bound and unbound cell populations in all experiments. In sows inseminated close to ovulation, spermatozoa were found mainly in the utero–tubal junction, where spermatozoa exhibited higher proportion of flagellum phosphorylation. Spermatozoa not bound to OEC exhibited high levels of protein phosphorylation (phosphorylated equatorial subsegment and acrosome and/or phosphorylated flagellum) in theex vivoandin vivoexperiments (P<0.05). However, unbound spermatozoa coincubated with OEC inin vitroconditions tended to show intermediate levels of TP (equatorial subsegment with or without phosphorylated flagellum). In spermatozoa bound to OEC, protein TP was located in the equatorial subsegment or presented no phosphorylation (P<0.05). Although sperm capacitation conditionsin vivowere not reproduciblein vitroin our experimental conditions, sperm and OEC binding seemed to be a mechanism for selecting spermatozoa with a low level of TP inin vivo,ex vivo, andin vitroexperiments.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document