Project description:Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play critical roles in self-renewal division for various stem cell types. However, it remains unclear how ROS signals are integrated with self-renewal machinery. Here we report that the MAPK14/MAPK7/BCL6B pathway creates a positive feedback loop to drive spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) self-renewal via ROS amplification. The activation of MAPK14 induced MAPK7 phosphorylation in cultured SSCs, and targeted deletion of Mapk14 or Mapk7 resulted in significant SSC deficiency after spermatogonial transplantation. The activation of this signaling pathway not only induced Nox1 but also increased ROS levels. Chemical screening of MAPK7 targets revealed many ROS-dependent spermatogonial transcription factors, of which BCL6B was found to initiate ROS production by increasing Nox1 expression via ETV5-induced nuclear translocation. Because hydrogen peroxide or Nox1 transfection also induced BCL6B nuclear translocation, our results suggest that BCL6B initiates and amplifies ROS signals to activate ROS-dependent spermatogonial transcription factors by forming a positive feedback loop.
Project description:Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play critical roles in self-renewal division for various stem cell types. However, it remains unclear how ROS signals are integrated with selfrenewal machinery. Here we report that the MAPK14/MAPK7/BCL6B pathway creates a positive feedback loop to drive spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) self-renewal via ROS amplification. The activation of MAPK14 induced MAPK7 phosphorylation in cultured SSCs, and targeted deletion of Mapk14 or Mapk7 resulted in significant SSC deficiency after spermatogonial transplantation. The activation of this signaling pathway not only induced Nox1 but also increased ROS levels. Chemical screening of MAPK7 targets revealed many ROS-dependent spermatogonial transcription factors, of which BCL6B was found to initiate ROS production by increasing Nox1 expression via ETV5-induced nuclear translocation. Because hydrogen peroxide or Nox1 transfection also induced BCL6B nuclear translocation, our results suggest that BCL6B initiates and amplifies ROS signals to activate ROS-dependent spermatogonial transcription factors by forming a positive feedback loop.
Project description:Maintenance and self-renewal of the spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) population is the cornerstone of male fertility. In this manuscript we have identified a key role for the nucleosome remodelling protein Chromodomain Helicase DNA binding protein 4 (CHD4) in regulating SSC function. Gene expression analyses revealed that CHD4 expression is largely restricted to spermatogonia in the mouse testis, and is particularly enriched in SSCs. Using spermatogonial transplantation techniques and RNAi mediated knockdown it was established that loss of Chd4 expression significantly impairs SSC regenerative capacity, resulting in a ~50% reduction in colonisation of recipient testes. A single cell RNA-seq comparison depicted reduced expression of ‘self-renewal’ genes such as Gfra1 and Pten following Chd4 knockdown, along with increased expression of signature progenitor genes, Neurog3 and Dazl. Co-immunoprecipitation analyses demonstrated that CHD4 regulates gene expression in spermatogonia not only though its traditional association with the remodelling complex NuRD, but also via interaction with the GDNF-responsive transcription factor SALL4. Cumulatively, the results of this study depict a previously unappreciated fundamental role for CHD4 in controlling fate decisions in the spermatogonial pool.
Project description:Spermatogonial stem cells undergo both self-renewal to maintain the stem cell population and differentiation to produce mature sperm. These processes are controlled by both stem cell-intrinsic and external niche factors. DOT1L, the sole H3K79 methyltransferase, is dispensable for mouse embryonic stem cell self-renewal but instead functions as a barrier to somatic cell reprogramming. Here we show that DOT1L is required for spermatogonial stem cell self-renewal. Mice lacking DOT1L in the germ cells show a failure in the maintenance of spermatogonial stem cells without a block in spermatogenic cell differentiation and thus a progressive loss of germ cells, leading to a Sertoli-cell-only syndrome. Chemical inhibition of DOT1L in cultured stem cells reduces the spermatogonial stem cell activity after transplantation. RNA-seq analysis reveals downregulation of Hoxc cluster genes in DOT1L-inhibited spermatogonia stem cells. Single cell RNA-seq analysis demonstrates that inhibition of DOT1L sequesters spermatogonial stem cells in a primitive state and prevents them from transitioning to a progenitor state. These results identify a new function for DOT1L in adult stem cells and provides a paradigm for regulation of spermatogonial stem cell self-renewal. Self-renewal of spermatogonial stem cells is vital to life-long production of male gametes and thus fertility. However, the underlying mechanisms remain enigmatic. Here, we show that DOT1L, the sole H3K79 methyltransferase, is required for spermatogonial stem cell self-renewal. Mice lacking DOT1L fail to maintain spermatogonial stem cells, characterized by a sequential loss of germ cells from spermatogonia to spermatids and ultimately a Sertoli-cell-only syndrome. Inhibition of DOT1L reduces the stem cell activity after transplantation, prevents spermatogonial stem cells from transitioning to a progenitor state, and sequesters them in a primitive state. Furthermore, DOT1L promotes expression of the fate-determining HoxC transcription factors in spermatogonial stem cells. Our findings identify an essential function for DOT1L in adult stem cells and provide an epigenetic paradigm for regulation of spermatogonial stem cells.
Project description:The somatic microenvironment supports spermatogonial stem cell differentiation into sperm. Extracellular matrix (ECM) plays multiple roles in the stem cell niche, including self-renewal, proliferation, differentiation and survival of spermatogonial cells. The pathophysiology of male infertility might be representative of a progressive degenerative process of the testicular tissue, including ECM, rather than a defective genetic background, thus outlining the existence of chronic etiological agents/pathways. In this context, we sought to identify potential causative factors responsible for a number of modifications of the testicular somatic microenvironment associated with idiopathic germ cell aplasia in human beings. Proteomic analysis of the decellularized ECM was performed to study testis parenchyma from 10 idiopathic non-obstructive azoospermic (iNOA) men, dichotomized according to positive sperm retrieval versus germ cell aplasia. Germ cell aplasia was characterized by an increased nuclear distribution of the retinoic acid receptor in Sertoli cells which was associated with decreased expression of the ECM markers, Nidogen-2 and Heparan sulfate proteoglycan-2. Decreased levels of the interstitial matrisome associated Factor IX and its regulator VKORC1 were instead coupled with decreased signaling of vitamin K in Leydig cells. This study identified pathogenetic signature of the somatic testicular microenvironment and provide mechanistic insights into the molecular determinants of human idiopathic germ cell aplasia.
Project description:To better understand human spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), we profiled their transciptome and epigenome, which revealed the mechanism how human SSCs regulates their self-renewal versus differentiation dermination, as well as how latent pluripotency is established in human SSCs. Remarkly, we discovered signaling pathways (e.g. LIF, BMP, WNT) that differentially regulated self-renewal vesus differentiation in SSCs. We also discovered that SSCs repress core pluripotent factors (Sox2, Pou5f1 and Nanog) yet activate ancillary factors (e.g. Klf4, Mbd3, Tcf3, Sall4) transcriptionally and epigenetically.
Project description:To better understand human spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), we profiled their transciptome and epigenome, which revealed the mechanism how human SSCs regulates their self-renewal versus differentiation dermination, as well as how latent pluripotency is established in human SSCs. Remarkly, we discovered signaling pathways (e.g. LIF, BMP, WNT) that differentially regulated self-renewal vesus differentiation in SSCs. We also discovered that SSCs repress core pluripotent factors (Sox2, Pou5f1 and Nanog) yet activate ancillary factors (e.g. Klf4, Mbd3, Tcf3, Sall4) transcriptionally and epigenetically.
Project description:To better understand human spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), we profiled their transciptome and epigenome, which revealed the mechanism how human SSCs regulates their self-renewal versus differentiation dermination, as well as how latent pluripotency is established in human SSCs. Remarkly, we discovered signaling pathways (e.g. LIF, BMP, WNT) that differentially regulated self-renewal vesus differentiation in SSCs. We also discovered that SSCs repress core pluripotent factors (Sox2, Pou5f1 and Nanog) yet activate ancillary factors (e.g. Klf4, Mbd3, Tcf3, Sall4) transcriptionally and epigenetically.
Project description:To better understand human spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), we profiled their transciptome and epigenome, which revealed the mechanism how human SSCs regulates their self-renewal versus differentiation dermination, as well as how latent pluripotency is established in human SSCs. Remarkly, we discovered signaling pathways (e.g. LIF, BMP, WNT) that differentially regulated self-renewal vesus differentiation in SSCs. We also discovered that SSCs repress core pluripotent factors (Sox2, Pou5f1 and Nanog) yet activate ancillary factors (e.g. Klf4, Mbd3, Tcf3, Sall4) transcriptionally and epigenetically.
Project description:Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as important components of gene regulatory network in embryonic stem cells (ESCs). However, the function and molecular mechanism of lncRNAs are still largely unknown. Here we identified Trincr1 (TRIM71 interacting long noncoding RNA 1) lncRNA that regulates the FGF/ERK signaling and self-renewal of ESCs. Trincr1 is exported by THOC complex to cytoplasm where it binds and represses TRIM71, leading to the downregulation of SHCBP1 protein. Knocking out Trincr1 leads to the upregulation of phosphorylated ERK and ERK pathway target genes and the decrease of ESC self-renewal, while knocking down Trim71 completely rescues the defects of Trincr1 knockout. Furthermore, ectopic expression of Trincr1 represses FGF/ERK signaling and the self-renewal of neural progenitor cells. Together, this study reveals more regulators in FGF/ERK signaling pathway and highlights lncRNA as an important player in cell signaling network to coordinate cell fate specification.