Project description:BACKGROUND: Vasectomized men who wish for restoration of fertility commonly face problems to conceive despite high surgical success rates of vasovasostomy, a surgery routinely used to retrieve duct patency. In human, vasectomy has consequences on the epididymal transcriptome and is responsible for non-reversible changes that affect the biochemical parameters and functions of ejaculated sperm in vasovasotomized men. Since microRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of post-transcriptional gene expression, we explored the consequences of vasectomy on miRNA pattern in the human epididymis and determined the repercussion and reversibility of these changes in seminal microvesicles (SMVs) from semen of vasovasostomized men. METHOD: miRNA signatures from a unique set of human epididymal segments (caput, corpus, cauda) provided by controls and vasectomized donors as well as miRNA content of SMVs isolated from semen of normal, vasectomized and vasovasostomized donors were determined by using high-throughput microarray technology. Epididymal miRNA signature was correlated with gene expression profiles by employing an integrated genomic approach. RESULTS: While the segmented pattern of miRNA expression was maintained along the human epididymis following vasectomy, the array of miRNAs from each anatomical region significantly differed between normal and vasectomized donors. Greatest changes were observed in cauda epididymidis and were negatively correlated with transcription factors. Vasectomy also impacted expression of miRNAs found in SMVs from normal donors, including miRNAs of epididymal origin contained in epididymosomes. Among seminal miRNAs sequelae, 52 were reversible according to miRNA expression level following duct patency retrieval. In contrast, 66 of miRNAs found in SMVs were not retrieved in SMVs after vasovasostomy. CONCLUSION: We showed that vasectomy has a substantial impact on the miRNA signature of the epididymis and SMVs, and that vasovasostomy does not restore all molecular players found in normal fertile individuals. According to the critical role played by miRNAs in the control of male fertility, we believe that miRNA sequelae occurring upstream and downstream of the vasectomy site may be in part responsible for the reduced fertility outcome reported after surgically successful vasectomy reversal.

Project description:BACKGROUND: The molecular mechanisms resulting in the establishment of regionalized gene expression in the human epididymis involve numerous and complex regulatory elements that have not yet been fully elucidated. Interestingly, more than 200 microRNAs (miRNAs) have been identified in the human epididymis that could be involved in the regulation of mRNA stability and post-transcriptionnal expression in this organ. METHODS: Using a global miRNA microarray approach, we investigated the correlation between the miRNA signature and the gene expression profile found in three distinct regions (caput, corpus and cauda) of human epididymides from 3 donors. In silico prediction of transcript miRNA targets was performed in silico using TargetScan and Miranda software’s. To experimentally verify some of these data, FHCE1 immortalized epididymal cell lines were cotransfected with mimics microRNAs and plasmid constructs containing the 3’UTR of target genes downstream of the luciferase gene. RESULTS: We identified 35 miRNAs differentially expressed between the different segments of the epididymis (fold change > 2, P < 0.01). Among these miRNAs, miR-890, miR-892a, miR-892b, miR-891a, miR-891b belonging to the same cluster located on the X chromosome and specifically expressed in epididymal tissues, are significantly more expressed in the corpus and cauda regions compared to the caput. Interestingly, a strong negative correlation (r= -0,89, P <0.001) was found between the pattern of expression of miR-892b and its potential mRNA target Esrrg (Estrogen Related Receptor Gamma), with miR-145 and Cldn10 mRNA (r= -0,92, P<0.001) and with miR-145 and Cftr mRNA (r= -0,69, P<0.05). We confirmed that miR-145 and miR-892b inhibit the expression of the luciferase reporter via Cldn10 and Esrrg 3’ UTRs respectively, whereas miR-145 does not affect the expression of luciferase after its co-transfection with the plasmid containing the Cftr 3’UTR. CONCLUSION: Overall, our study shows that the expression of miRNAs is segmented along the different regions of the human epididymal duct and correlates with the pattern of target gene expression in these regions. Therefore, epididymal miRNAs may be in charge of the maintenance of gene expression profile in the epididymis that dictate segment-specific secretion of proteins and establish physiological compartments that directly or indirectly affect sperm maturation and fertility. Normal human epididymides from three donors of 26–50 years of age, were collected and dissected into 3 anatomical regions (caput, corpus and cauda).A cross-comparison between the miRNA signature found in different segments was performed using GeneChip miRNA Array 1.0 (Affimetrix, Santa Clara, CA).

Project description:Mammalian spermatozoa acquire their fertilizing ability during epididymal transit. Gene expression patterns along the epididymis are established by specific transcription factor networks that coordinate region-specific functions. The epididymis is usually divided into 3 segments: caput, corpus, and cauda. The human epididymis anatomy does not allow clear distinction between these three segments. To determine to which extent gene expression is segmented along the human epididymis, transcriptome profiling was performed on 8 distinct epididymal regions from 3 donors. Microarray analysis was performed on a Gene Chip Human Clariom S (Affymetrix®) array representing 337 100 transcriptional variants encoded by 20 800 genes. Proximal segments 1 to 3 were distinguishable from the distal epididymal segments (4 to 8) as shown by unsupervised Principal Component Analysis. Transcripts from each segment with differentially expressed genes (DEGs) > 2-fold change and FDR < 0.05 were clustered in relation to their intensity profiles. While no DEGs were detected between segments 1–3 corresponding to the efferent ducts, 1140 DEGs were detected between efferent ducts (1–3) and the epididymis (4–8), 400 between caput (4–6) vs. corpus/cauda (7–8) and none between corpus (7) and cauda (8). Gene Ontology annotation revealed that up-regulated DEGs in the efferent ducts (1–3) were predominantly related to cilium assembly/movement and cell differentiation. The biological process terms fertilization, defense and immune responses were associated with caput epididymis (4–6) while spermatogenesis and protein binding were found all along the epididymis (4–8). In conclusion, the proximal human epididymis is exclusively occupied by efferent ducts with a distinct DEG profile compared with the downstream epididymal segments. Moreover, gene expression profiling revealed two regions in the human epididymis; the caput and the distal corpus/cauda region. Taken together, analysis of the human epididymal transcriptome reveals a limited DEG profile.

Project description:BACKGROUND: The molecular mechanisms resulting in the establishment of regionalized gene expression in the human epididymis involve numerous and complex regulatory elements that have not yet been fully elucidated. Interestingly, more than 200 microRNAs (miRNAs) have been identified in the human epididymis that could be involved in the regulation of mRNA stability and post-transcriptionnal expression in this organ. METHODS: Using a global miRNA microarray approach, we investigated the correlation between the miRNA signature and the gene expression profile found in three distinct regions (caput, corpus and cauda) of human epididymides from 3 donors. In silico prediction of transcript miRNA targets was performed in silico using TargetScan and Miranda software’s. To experimentally verify some of these data, FHCE1 immortalized epididymal cell lines were cotransfected with mimics microRNAs and plasmid constructs containing the 3’UTR of target genes downstream of the luciferase gene. RESULTS: We identified 35 miRNAs differentially expressed between the different segments of the epididymis (fold change > 2, P < 0.01). Among these miRNAs, miR-890, miR-892a, miR-892b, miR-891a, miR-891b belonging to the same cluster located on the X chromosome and specifically expressed in epididymal tissues, are significantly more expressed in the corpus and cauda regions compared to the caput. Interestingly, a strong negative correlation (r= -0,89, P <0.001) was found between the pattern of expression of miR-892b and its potential mRNA target Esrrg (Estrogen Related Receptor Gamma), with miR-145 and Cldn10 mRNA (r= -0,92, P<0.001) and with miR-145 and Cftr mRNA (r= -0,69, P<0.05). We confirmed that miR-145 and miR-892b inhibit the expression of the luciferase reporter via Cldn10 and Esrrg 3’ UTRs respectively, whereas miR-145 does not affect the expression of luciferase after its co-transfection with the plasmid containing the Cftr 3’UTR. CONCLUSION: Overall, our study shows that the expression of miRNAs is segmented along the different regions of the human epididymal duct and correlates with the pattern of target gene expression in these regions. Therefore, epididymal miRNAs may be in charge of the maintenance of gene expression profile in the epididymis that dictate segment-specific secretion of proteins and establish physiological compartments that directly or indirectly affect sperm maturation and fertility.

Project description:Purpose: To compare the transcriptome profiles (RNA-seq) of cultured human epididymis cells and tissue from the caput, corpus and cauda regions of the human epididymis. Methods: Human epididymis tissue was obtained with Institutional Review Board approval from 3 patients (UC05, UC06, UC09, range: 22 - 36 years) undergoing inguinal radical orchiectomy for a clinical diagnosis of testicular cancer. None of the epididymides had extension of the testicular cancer. The three anatomical regions: caput, corpus and cauda, were separated and segments of each snap frozen. Adult human epididymis epithelial (HEE) cultures were also established from tissue. RNA was extracted from both tissue and cultured HEE cells and RNA-seq libraries prepared (TruSeq RNA Sample Preparation Kit v2, Low-Throughput protocol, Illumina). Libraries were sequenced on Illumina HiSeq2500 machines. Data were analyzed using TopHat and Cufflinks. Results: Libraries generated ~19-39 million reads per library from the cells (95-99% mapping to the human genome) and ~14-39 million reads from the tissue samples (84-99% mapped). Raw reads were aligned to the genome with Tophat and gene expression values were processed using Cufflinks as Fragments Per Kilobase per Million mapped fragments (FPKM). FPKM values were subject to principle component analysis, which revealed that though caput, corpus and cauda cell samples respectively from UC05, UC06 and UC09 clustered together. RNA-seq data from the 3 biological replicas (UC05, UC06 and UC09) of caput, corpus and cauda were pooled for further analysis. Cufflinks was used to determine differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between caput, corpus and cauda cells, combined from the 3 donors. The gene expression profiles of corpus and cauda are remarkably similar and both differ from the caput to a similar degree. We identified ~40 genes differentially expressed between corpus and cauda and more than 1600 DEGs between caput and cauda. The DEGs for each comparison (caput and corpus/cauda) were analysed using a gene ontology process enrichment analysis (DAVID, Huang et al., NAR 2009;37:1-13, Huang et al., 2009 Nat Prot 4:44-57). Conclusions: Here we describe an in depth analysis of the gene expression repertoire of primary cultures of epithelial cells and intact tissues from each region of the adult human epididymis. These data will be valuable to decipher pathways of normal epididymis function and aspects of epididymis disease that cause male infertility. RNA-seq was performed on libraries generated from caput, corpus and cauda-derived cultured cells (passage 2 or 3) from 3 donors and on caput, corpus and cauda tissue from 2 of the same donors. Donor age range: 22 - 36 years.

Project description:The functional maturation of mammalian spermatozoa is accomplished as the cells descend through the highly specialized microenvironment of the epididymis. This dynamic environment is, in turn, created by the combined secretory and absorptive activity of the surrounding epithelium and displays an extraordinary level of regionalization. Although the regulatory network responsible for spatial coordination of epididymal function remains unclear, recent evidence has highlighted a novel role for the RNA interference pathway. Indeed, as noncanonical regulators of gene expression, small noncoding RNAs have emerged as key elements of the circuitry involved in regulating epididymal function and hence sperm maturation. Herein we have employed next generation sequencing technology to profile the genome-wide miRNA signatures of mouse epididymal cells and characterize segmental patterns of expression. An impressive profile of some 370 miRNAs were detected in the mouse epididymis, with a subset of these specifically identified within the epithelial cells that line the tubule (218). A majority of the latter miRNAs (75%) were detected at equivalent levels along the entire length of the mouse epididymis. We did however identify a small cohort of miRNAs that displayed highly regionalized patterns of expression, including miR-204-5p and miR-196b-5p, which were down- and up-regulated by approximately 39- and 45-fold between the caput/caudal regions, respectively. In addition we identified 79 miRNAs (representing ~ 21% of all miRNAs) as displaying conserved expression within all regions of the mouse, rat and human epididymal tissue. These included 8/14 members of let-7 family of miRNAs that have been widely implicated in the control of androgen signaling and the repression of cell proliferation and oncogenic pathways. Overall these data provide novel insights into the sophistication of the miRNA network that regulates the function of the male reproductive tract. Examination of the microRNA expression profile in the whole mouse epididymis and mouse epididymal epithelial cells using next generation sequencing in duplicate.

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MicroRNA signature is altered in both human epididymis and seminal microvesicles following vasectomy.

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