Dataset Information

Altered microRNA expression in patients with non-obstructive azoospermia.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small non-coding RNA molecules, are indicated to play essential roles in spermatogenesis. However, little is known about the expression patterns or function of miRNAs in human testes involved in infertility. METHODS: In this study, the miRNA expression profiles of testes of patients with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) and normal controls were performed by using microarray technologies. RESULTS: Altered microRNA expression in NOA patients was found, with 154 differentially down-regulated and 19 up-regulated miRNAs. These findings have been confirmed by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays on select miRNAs, including miR-302a, miR-491-3p, miR-520d-3p and miR-383. Several down-regulated miRNA clusters in patients with NOA were identified, such as the oncogenic potential of the mir-17-92 cluster and mir-371,2,3 cluster. CONCLUSION: This is the first report that the expression of miRNAs is altered in testicular tissues of patients with NOA, suggesting a role of miRNAs in regulating spermatogenesis in human males.

SUBMITTER: Lian J

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2647923 | biostudies-literature | 2009

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Altered microRNA expression in patients with non-obstructive azoospermia.

Lian Jie J Zhang Xiansheng X Tian Hui H Liang Ning N Wang Yong Y Liang Chaozhao C Li Xin X Sun Fei F

Reproductive biology and endocrinology : RB&E 20090211

<h4>Background</h4>MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small non-coding RNA molecules, are indicated to play essential roles in spermatogenesis. However, little is known about the expression patterns or function of miRNAs in human testes involved in infertility.<h4>Methods</h4>In this study, the miRNA expression profiles of testes of patients with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) and normal controls were performed by using microarray technologies.<h4>Results</h4>Altered microRNA expression in NOA pa ...[more]

PMID: 19210773

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Project description:Background: Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) is the most severe form of male infertility. Currently, known causative factors, including congenital and several acquired causes only account for approximately 30% of NOA cases. The causes for NOA remain unclear for most patients, which is known as idiopathic (iNOA). However, whether iNOA is due to congenital defects or acquired abnormalities is a confusing problem due to the delayed diagnosis of this frustrating condition until the childbearing age. Therefore, we collected several cases with "secondary idiopathic NOA" and detected the altered mRNAs profiles in the testicular tissues to explore the possible molecular basis. Materials and Methods: In this study, several patients with a previous history of natural pregnancy with their partners before, who were diagnosed as iNOA based on the outcomes of routine semen analysis and multiple testis biopsies now, were enrolled. Some known risk factors and genetic factors were excluded. Therefore, we defined this phenotype as "secondary idiopathic NOA." To explore the possible molecular basis of this disease, we performed mRNA expression analysis through next-generation sequencing on three cases and other three patients with obstructive azoospermia as controls. Bioinformatics analyses were conducted to assess differentially expressed genes and possible biological mechanisms involved in the disease. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assays were applied to confirm the results in several selected mRNAs involved in stages and metabolism of Sertoli cells. Results: A series of mRNAs were found to be altered in testicular tissues between patients with "secondary idiopathic NOA" and controls, including 6,028 downregulated and 3,402 upregulated mRNAs. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome (KEGG) analyses revealed a range of GO and KEGG terms, such as cellular process involved in reproduction, protein degradation, and absorption. Conclusion: The present study introduces a novel classification called "secondary idiopathic NOA." We provide a global view of the altered mRNAs involved in spermatogenetic failure in these cases. Regarding the limited samples, further studies should be taken to understand this new classification.

Dataset Information

Altered microRNA expression in patients with non-obstructive azoospermia.

Publications

Altered microRNA expression in patients with non-obstructive azoospermia.

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