scholarly journals Benzo(a)pyrene (B[a]P) and its adverse effects on male testis

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Liu ◽  
Aihua Gu

ABSTRACTIt has been proved that Benzo(a)pyrene (B[a]P) is mutagenic in somatic cells, whereas the adverse effect of BaP on male reproduction remains unclear. To investigate whether it can pass through the blood-testis barrier (BTB) and its potential reproductive toxicology and molecular mechanisms, mice were exposed to B[a]P (there are two doses, that is 13mg/kg body weight and 26 mg/kg body weight; three times per week) during 6 weeks and sacrificed 6 weeks after the final exposure to obtain B[a]P-exposed testis, blood and others. Electron microscopy analysis was performed to confirm whether the integrity of BTB and the ultra-structure changes in testes of B[a]P treated mice, which showed that the integrity of the BTB was disrupted, accompanied with the structure of sertoli cells seriously damaged, including the integrity of the nuclear membrane of the sertoli cells impaired and the basement membrane of the seminiferous tubules disrupted. X-ray imaging in vitro told us that BaP can overgo the BTB and gathered in the testis of mice. We found the significantly decreased expression of ZO-1, occludin, N-cadherin, vimentin and claudin-1 in the testes of B[a]P treated group by immunofluorescence detection. B[a]P induced BTB component protein decreased were also found in TM4 cells exposed to 5μmol/L B[a]P for 24h. We found a significantly decrease of testosterone level and a significantly increase of estrogen level in the serum of treated groups comparing with the control one by radioimmunoassay. TM4 cells, MLTC-1 cells and GC-2 cells was cultured with medium contains B[a]P. MTT Cell Proliferation and Cytotoxicity Assay, cell apoptosis analysis, FACScan analyzer, We observed apparent increase of TM4 and GC-2 cells apoptosis after expose to B[a]P for 24h. B[a]P induced TM4 cell, GC-2 cell and MLTC-1 cell G2/M phase cell arrest. In conclusion, these results suggested that BaP has an adverse impact on male reproduction, it can cross the blood-testis barrier and damage it, the component proteins of the BTB significantly decreased, it can also produce adverse impact on male germ cells.

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 331
Author(s):  
Jung-Yun Lee ◽  
Tae Yang Kim ◽  
Hanna Kang ◽  
Jungbae Oh ◽  
Joo Woong Park ◽  
...  

Excess body weight is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes (T2D) and associated metabolic complications, and weight loss has been shown to improve glycemic control and decrease morbidity and mortality in T2D patients. Weight-loss strategies using dietary interventions produce a significant decrease in diabetes-related metabolic disturbance. We have previously reported that the supplementation of low molecular chitosan oligosaccharide (GO2KA1) significantly inhibited blood glucose levels in both animals and humans. However, the effect of GO2KA1 on obesity still remains unclear. The aim of the study was to evaluate the anti-obesity effect of GO2KA1 on lipid accumulation and adipogenic gene expression using 3T3-L1 adipocytes in vitro and plasma lipid profiles using a Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat model. Murine 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were stimulated to differentiate under the adipogenic stimulation in the presence and absence of varying concentrations of GO2KA1. Adipocyte differentiation was confirmed by Oil Red O staining of lipids and the expression of adipogenic gene expression. Compared to control group, the cells treated with GO2KA1 significantly decreased in intracellular lipid accumulation with concomitant decreases in the expression of key transcription factors, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (CEBP/α). Consistently, the mRNA expression of downstream adipogenic target genes such as fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4), fatty acid synthase (FAS), were significantly lower in the GO2KA1-treated group than in the control group. In vivo, male SD rats were fed a high fat diet (HFD) for 6 weeks to induced obesity, followed by oral administration of GO2KA1 at 0.1 g/kg/body weight or vehicle control in HFD. We assessed body weight, food intake, plasma lipids, levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) for liver function, and serum level of adiponectin, a marker for obesity-mediated metabolic syndrome. Compared to control group GO2KA1 significantly suppressed body weight gain (185.8 ± 8.8 g vs. 211.6 ± 20.1 g, p < 0.05) with no significant difference in food intake. The serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels were significantly lower in the GO2KA1-treated group than in the control group, whereas the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level was higher in the GO2KA1 group. The GO2KA1-treated group also showed a significant reduction in ALT and AST levels compared to the control. Moreover, serum adiponectin levels were significantly 1.5-folder higher than the control group. These in vivo and in vitro findings suggest that dietary supplementation of GO2KA1 may prevent diet-induced weight gain and the anti-obesity effect is mediated in part by inhibiting adipogenesis and increasing adiponectin level.


2019 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 175-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eui Hyun Kim ◽  
Geon A Kim ◽  
Anukul Taweechaipaisankul ◽  
Seok Hee Lee ◽  
Muhammad Qasim ◽  
...  

Oxidative stress (OS) is a major problem during in vitro culture of embryos. Numerous studies have shown that melatonin, which is known to have antioxidant properties, prevents the occurrence of OS in embryos. However, the molecular mechanisms by which melatonin prevents OS in embryos are still unclear. The present study suggests a possible involvement of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/antioxidant-responsive element (Nrf2/ARE) signaling pathway, which is one of the prominent signals for OS prevention through Nrf2 activation, connecting melatonin, OS prevention and porcine embryonic development. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of melatonin (10−7 M) on porcine embryonic development via the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway; brusatol (50 nM; Nrf2 specific inhibitor) was used to validate the mechanism. Treatment of porcine embryo with melatonin significantly increased formation rates of blastocysts and their total cell numbers and also upregulated the expression of Nrf2/ARE signaling and apoptosis-related genes (MT2, NRF2, UCHL, HO-1, SOD1 and BCL-2). Furthermore, the expression of proteins (NRF2 and MT2) was also upregulated in the melatonin-treated group. Concomitantly, brusatol significantly inhibited these effects, upregulating the expression of KEAP1 and BAX, including the expression level of KEAP1 protein. These results provide evidences that melatonin prevents OS through Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway in porcine in vitro fertilization -derived embryos.


1998 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 157-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agneta I. Othberg ◽  
Alison E. Willing ◽  
Don F. Cameron ◽  
Alex Anton ◽  
Samuel Saporta ◽  
...  

The poor survival of embryonic dopaminergic (DA) neurons transplanted into patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) has encouraged researchers to search for new methods to affect the short- as well as long-term survival of these neurons after transplantation. In several previous rodent studies Sertoli cells increased survival of islet cells and chromaffin cells when cotransplanted in vivo. The aims of this study were to investigate whether porcine Sertoli cells had a positive effect on the survival and maturation of rat and human DA neurons, and whether the Sertoli cells had an effect on differentiation of neurons derived from a human teratocarcinoma cell line (hNT neurons). A significant increase of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive neurons of both rat and human ventral mesencephalic tissue was found when cocultured with Sertoli cells. Furthermore, there was a significantly increased soma size and neurite outgrowth of neurons in the coculture treated group. The Sertoli cell and hNT coculture also revealed an increased number of TH-positive cells. These results demonstrate that the wide variety of proteins and factors secreted by porcine Sertoli cells benefit the survival and maturation of embryonic DA neurons and suggest that cotransplantation of Sertoli cells and embryonic DA neurons may be useful for a cell transplantation therapy in PD.


2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 66
Author(s):  
P. K. Nicholls ◽  
P. G. Stanton ◽  
K. L. Walton ◽  
R. I. McLachlan ◽  
L. O'Donnell ◽  
...  

Spermatogenesis is absolutely dependent on follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and androgens; acute suppression of these hormones inhibits germ cell development and thus sperm production. The removal of intercellular junctions and release of spermatids by the Sertoli cell, a process known as spermiation, is particularly sensitive to acute hormone suppression(1). To define the molecular mechanisms that mediate FSH and androgen effects in the testis, we investigated the expression and hormonal regulation of micro-RNAs (miRNA), small non-coding RNAs that regulate protein translation and modify cellular responses. By array analysis, we identified 23 miRNAs that were upregulated >2-fold in stage VIII seminiferous tubules following hormone suppression, and in vitro in primary Sertoli cells. We subsequently validated the expression and hormonal regulation of several miRNAs, including miR-23b, -30d and -690 by quantitative PCR in primary Sertoli cells. Bioinformatic analysis of potential targets of hormonally-suppressed miRNAs identified genes associated with Focal adhesions (54 genes, P = –ln(17.97)) and the Regulation of the actin cytoskeleton (52 genes, P = –ln(10.16)), processes known to be intimately associated with adhesion of spermatids to Sertoli cells(2, 3). Furthermore, this analysis identified numerous components of the testicular tubulobulbar complex (TBC) as being targets of hormonally sensitive miRNAs. The TBC is a podosome-like structure between Sertoli and adjacent spermatids in the testis, which internalises intact inter-cellular junctions by endocytotic mechanisms prior to spermiation(4). We then demonstrate the hormonal regulation of predicted miRNA target proteins, and validate novel inhibitory miRNA interactions with Pten, nWASP, Eps15 and Picalm by luciferase knockdown in vitro. We hypothesise that hormonally suppressed miRNAs inhibit TBC function, and subsequently, endocytosis of intercellular junctions. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that hormonal suppression in the testis stimulates the expression of a subset of Sertoli cell miRNAs that are likely regulators of cell adhesion protein networks involved in spermiation. (1) Saito K, O’Donnell L, McLachlan RI, Robertson DM 2000 Spermiation failure is a major contributor to early spermatogenic suppression caused by hormone withdrawal in adult rats. Endocrinology 141: 2779–2.(2) O’Donnell L, Stanton PG, Bartles JR, Robertson DM 2000 Sertoli cell ectoplasmic specializations in the seminiferous epithelium of the testosterone-suppressed adult rat. Biol Reprod 63: 99–108.(3) Beardsley A, Robertson DM, O’Donnell L 2006 A complex containing alpha6beta1-integrin and phosphorylated focal adhesion kinase between Sertoli cells and elongated spermatids during spermatid release from the seminiferous epithelium. J Endocrinol 190(3): 759–70.(4) Young JS, Guttman JA, Vaid KS, Vogl AW 2009 Tubulobulbar complexes are intercellular podosome-like structures that internalize intact intercellular junctions during epithelial remodeling events in the rat testis. Biol Reprod 80: 162–74.


Pharmaceutics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 1005
Author(s):  
Raymond K. Hau ◽  
Siennah R. Miller ◽  
Stephen H. Wright ◽  
Nathan J. Cherrington

The blood-testis barrier (BTB) formed by adjacent Sertoli cells (SCs) limits the entry of many chemicals into seminiferous tubules. Differences in rodent and human substrate-transporter selectivity or kinetics can misrepresent conclusions drawn using rodent in vitro models. Therefore, human in vitro models are preferable when studying transporter dynamics at the BTB. This study describes a hTERT-immortalized human SC line (hT-SerC) with significantly increased replication capacity and minor phenotypic alterations compared to primary human SCs. Notably, hT-SerCs retained similar morphology and minimal changes to mRNA expression of several common SC genes, including AR and FSHR. The mRNA expression of most xenobiotic transporters was within the 2-fold difference threshold in RT-qPCR analysis with some exceptions (OAT3, OCT3, OCTN1, OATP3A1, OATP4A1, ENT1, and ENT2). Functional analysis of the equilibrative nucleoside transporters (ENTs) revealed that primary human SCs and hT-SerCs predominantly express ENT1 with minimal ENT2 expression at the plasma membrane. ENT1-mediated uptake of [3H] uridine was linear over 10 min and inhibited by NBMPR with an IC50 value of 1.35 ± 0.37 nM. These results demonstrate that hT-SerCs can functionally model elements of transport across the human BTB, potentially leading to identification of other transport pathways for xenobiotics, and will guide drug discovery efforts in developing effective BTB-permeable compounds.


Reproduction ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 152 (4) ◽  
pp. 271-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrey Yu Kulibin ◽  
Ekaterina A Malolina

Adult mammalian Sertoli cells (SCs) have been considered to be quiescent terminal differentiated cells for many years, but recently, proliferation of adult SCs was demonstrated in vitro and in vivo. We further examined mouse SC behavior in culture and found that there are two populations of adult SCs. The first population is SCs from seminiferous tubules that hardly proliferate in vitro. The second population is small and consists of SCs with atypical nuclear morphology from the terminal segments of seminiferous tubules, a transitional zone (TZ). TZ SCs multiply in culture and form colonies, display mixture of mature and immature SC characteristics, and generate cord-like structures in a collagen matrix. The specific features of TZ SCs are ACTA2 expression in vitro and DMRT1 low levels in vivo and in vitro. Although the in vivo function of TZ SCs still remains unclear, this finding has significant implications for our understanding of SC differentiation and functioning in adult mammals.


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.


Endocrinology ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 156 (5) ◽  
pp. 1900-1913 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ka-Wai Mok ◽  
Haiqi Chen ◽  
Will M. Lee ◽  
C. Yan Cheng

In the seminiferous epithelium of rat testes, preleptotene spermatocytes residing in the basal compartment are transported across the blood-testis barrier (BTB) to enter the adluminal compartment at stage VIII of the epithelial cycle. This process involves redistribution of tight junction (TJ) proteins via reorganization of actin cytoskeleton in Sertoli cells that serves as attachment site for adhesion protein complexes. Ribosomal protein S6 (rpS6), a downstream molecule of mTORC1 (mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1), participates in this process via a yet-to-be defined mechanism. Here, we constructed an rpS6 quadruple phosphomimetic mutant by converting Ser residues at 235, 236, 240, and 244 to Glu via site-directed mutagenesis, making this mutant constitutively active. When this rpS6 mutant was overexpressed in Sertoli cells cultured in vitro with an established TJ barrier mimicking the BTB in vivo, it perturbed the TJ permeability by down-regulating and redistributing TJ proteins at the cell-cell interface. These changes are mediated by a reorganization of actin microfilaments, which was triggered by a redistribution of activated actin-related protein 3 (Arp3) as well as changes in Arp3-neuronal Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome protein (N-WASP) interaction. This in turn induced reorganization of actin microfilaments, converting them from a “bundled” to an “unbundled/branched” configuration, concomitant with a reduced actin bundling activity, thereby destabilizing the TJ-barrier function. These changes were mediated by Akt (transforming oncogene of v-akt), because an Akt knockdown by RNA interference was able to mimic the phenotypes of rpS6 mutant overexpression at the Sertoli cell BTB. In summary, this study illustrates a mechanism by which mTORC1 signal complex regulates BTB function through rpS6 downstream by modulating actin organization via the Arp2/3 complex, which may be applicable to other tissue barriers.


2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (8) ◽  
pp. 1635 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Dance ◽  
J. Kastelic ◽  
J. Thundathil

Beef and dairy bull calves fed a low-nutrition diet during early life had decreased concentrations of circulating insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), delayed increases in testosterone, smaller testes and delayed puberty compared with those fed high-nutrition diets. Although IGF-1 has important roles in Sertoli cell function in rats and mice, this has not been well documented in bulls. The objectives of this study were to: (1) isolate Sertoli cells from bull calves at 8 weeks of age, (2) culture them in vitro and (3) determine the effects of IGF-I, FSH and a combination of both hormones on cell proliferation. For Sertoli cell isolation, minced testicular tissues were treated with collagenase followed by trypsin and hyaluronidase to digest seminiferous tubules and release Sertoli cells. In this study, Sertoli cells were successfully isolated from 8-week-old Holstein bull calves (n = 4) and these cells were cultured for up to 8 days. A combination of IGF-I and FSH increased proliferation (~18%) and therefore cell number (1.5-fold) of prepubertal bovine Sertoli cells in culture, providing clear evidence that IGF-I has a similar role in bovine Sertoli cells as reported in rodents.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianlin Liang ◽  
Nan Wang ◽  
Jing He ◽  
Jian Du ◽  
Yahui Guo ◽  
...  

AbstractSertoli cells are essential nurse cells in the testis that regulate the process of spermatogenesis and establish the immune-privileged environment of the blood-testis-barrier (BTB). The induction of human Sertoli cells from fibroblasts could provide cellular sources for fertility and transplantation treatments. Here, we report the in vitro reprogramming of human fibroblasts to Sertoli cells and characterize these human induced Sertoli cells (hiSCs). Initially, five transcriptional factors (NR5A1, GATA4, WT1, SOX9 and DMRT1) and a gene reporter carrying the AMH promoter were utilized to obtain the hiSCs. We further reduce the number of reprogramming factors to two, i.e., NR5A1 and GATA4, and show that these hiSCs have transcriptome profiles that are similar to those of primary human Sertoli cells. Consistent with the known cellular properties of Sertoli cells, hiSCs attract endothelial cells and exhibit high number of lipid droplets in the cytoplasm. More importantly, hiSCs can sustain the viability of spermatogonia cells harvested from mouse seminiferous tubules. In addition, hiSCs suppress the production of IL-2 and proliferation of human T lymphocytes. When hiSCs were cotransplanted with human embryonic kidney cells, these xenotransplanted human cells survived longer in mice with normal immune systems. hiSCs also allow us to determine a gene associated with Sertoli-only syndrome (SCO), CX43, is indeed important in regulating the maturation of Sertoli cells.


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