Expression and function of HSP110 family in mouse testis after vasectomy.

HSP110 functions to protect cells, tissues, and organs from noxious conditions. Vasectomy induces apoptosis in the testis; however, little is known about the reason leading to this outcome. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the expression and function of HSP110 in mouse testis after vasectomy. Following bilateral vasectomy, we used fluorescent Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) to detect apoptosis, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry to examine HSP110 expression and localization. Serum antisperm antibody (AsAb) and testosterone were measured by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and radioimmunoassay, respectively. Expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) sensors and downstream signaling components was measured by Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), and the phosphorylation of eIF2α and JNK was detected by Western blotting. Vasectomy induced morphologic changes, increased apoptosis in the testis, increased serum AsAb, and decreased testosterone levels. After vasectomy, ORP150 mRNA level was increased first and then decreased, Bcl-2 was decreased, and the expression of HSPA4l, GRP78, GADD153, PERK, ATF6, IRE-1, XBP-1s, Bax, Bak, and caspases and the phosphorylation of eIF2α and JNK were increased. We present that an ER stress-mediated pathway is activated and involved in apoptosis in the testis after vasectomy. HSPA4l and ORP150 may play important roles in maintaining the normal structure and function of testis.

Characterisation of Lyzls in mice and antibacterial properties of human LYZL6.

C-type lysozyme genes (Lyzls) belong to the class of lysozymes and are highly expressed in the testis and epididymis. The members Lyzl4 and Spaca3 have been reported to play a role in sperm-egg binding and fertilisation in mice. However, the function of the remaining two mouse c-type lysozyme genes, Lyzl1 and Lyzl6, is still not clear. In the present study, we analysed the tissue expression and androgen-dependent expression of mouse c-type lysozyme genes and the possible contribution of human recombinant LYZL6 (rLYZL6) to immunity. The expression of Lyzls was detected by RT-PCR, Western blots, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. The bacteriolytic activity of rLYZL6 was analysed by a colony-forming assay. In mice, the expression of Lyzl genes was mainly in the testis and epididymis in a developmentally regulated manner and androgen- or testicular factor-regulated manner. Immunodetection revealed the presence of LYZL6 protein in primary spermatocytes and round spermatids of the testis and on the post-acrosomal area and midpiece of mature epididymal spermatozoa. The rLYZL6 protein exhibited antibacterial activity. From the results, Lyzls may play a role in mitochondrial function of spermatozoa and LYZL6 may contribute to the innate immunity of the male genital tract.

Topical administration of peroxiredoxin-6 on the cornea suppresses inflammation and neovascularization induced by ultraviolet radiation.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of topical administration of peroxiredoxin-6 (PRDX6) on ultraviolet-induced corneal injury. METHODS: Corneal transparency and neovascularization were observed with a slit-lamp microscope and hematoxylin and eosin staining. The oxidative damage was determined with a commercial malondialdehyde (MDA) kit. The expressions of PRDX6, polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) were determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. The expressions of genes related with antioxidant defense systems and cell apoptosis were detected by RT-PCR. RESULTS: The irradiated corneas appeared opaque and had high levels of MDA. Peripheral neovascularization and neutrophils appeared in the control and buffer-treated groups (with no treatment or PRDX6 diluent, respectively), whereas they were significantly suppressed in the PRDX6-treated group. The MDA content of the corneas in the PRDX6-treated group was significantly lower than that of the control and buffer-treated groups (P < 0.05). In the PRDX6-treated group the immunoreactivity of VEGF was lower, and that of PEDF was higher, than that in the control and buffer-treated groups. In addition, there were expression correlations between PRDX6 and PMN, VEGF, PEDF. The expressions of genes related with antioxidant defense systems and cell apoptosis were significant different between buffer- and PRDX6-treated groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The topically administered PRDX6 maintained the homeostasis of corneal cells, reduced inflammation, and suppressed neovascularization and apoptosis under ultraviolet irradiation.