Kpna6 deficiency causes infertility in male mice by disrupting spermatogenesis.

Spermatogenesis is driven by an ordered series of events, which rely on trafficking of specific proteins between nucleus and cytoplasm. The karyopherin α family of proteins mediates movement of specific cargo proteins when bound to karyopherin ß. Karyopherin α genes have distinct expression patterns in mouse testis, implying they may have unique roles during mammalian spermatogenesis. Here, we use a loss-of-function approach to determine specifically the role of Kpna6 in spermatogenesis and male fertility. We show that ablation of Kpna6 in male mice leads to infertility and has multiple cumulative effects on both germ cells and Sertoli cells. Kpna6-deficient mice exhibit impaired Sertoli cell function, including loss of Sertoli cells and a compromised nuclear localization of the androgen receptor. Furthermore, our data demonstrate devastating defects on spermiogenesis, including incomplete sperm maturation and a massive reduction in sperm number, accompanied by disturbed histone-protamine exchange, differential localization of the transcriptional regulator BRWD1 and altered expression of RFX2 target genes. Our work uncovers an essential role of Kpna6 in spermatogenesis and, hence, in male fertility.

The (pro)renin receptor (ATP6ap2) facilitates receptor-mediated endocytosis and lysosomal function in the renal proximal tubule.

The ATP6ap2 (Pro)renin receptor protein associates with H+-ATPases which regulate organellar, cellular, and systemic acid-base homeostasis. In the kidney, ATP6ap2 colocalizes with H+-ATPases in various cell types including the cells of the proximal tubule. There, H+-ATPases are involved in receptor-mediated endocytosis of low molecular weight proteins via the megalin/cubilin receptors. To study ATP6ap2 function in the proximal tubule, we used an inducible shRNA Atp6ap2 knockdown rat model (Kd) and an inducible kidney-specific Atp6ap2 knockout mouse model. Both animal lines showed higher proteinuria with elevated albumin, vitamin D binding protein, and procathepsin B in urine. Endocytosis of an injected fluid-phase marker (FITC- dextran, 10 kDa) was normal whereas processing of recombinant transferrin, a marker for receptor-mediated endocytosis, to lysosomes was delayed. While megalin and cubilin expression was unchanged, abundance of several subunits of the H+-ATPase involved in receptor-mediated endocytosis was reduced. Lysosomal integrity and H+-ATPase function are associated with mTOR signaling. In ATP6ap2, KO mice mTOR and phospho-mTOR appeared normal but increased abundance of the LC3-B subunit of the autophagosome was observed suggesting a more generalized impairment of lysosomal function in the absence of ATP6ap2. Hence, our data suggests a role for ATP6ap2 for proximal tubule function in the kidney with a defect in receptor-mediated endocytosis in mice and rats.

Chronic Overexpression of Bradykinin in Kidney Causes Polyuria and Cardiac Hypertrophy.

Acute intra-renal infusion of bradykinin increases diuresis and natriuresis via inhibition of vasopressin activity. However, the consequences of chronically increased bradykinin in the kidneys have not yet been studied. A new transgenic animal model producing an excess of bradykinin by proximal tubular cells (KapBK rats) was generated and submitted to different salt containing diets to analyze changes in blood pressure and other cardiovascular parameters, urine excretion, and composition, as well as levels and expression of renin-angiotensin system components. Despite that KapBK rats excrete more urine and sodium, they have similar blood pressure as controls with the exception of a small increase in systolic blood pressure (SBP). However, they present decreased renal artery blood flow, increased intrarenal expression of angiotensinogen, and decreased mRNA expression of vasopressin V1A receptor (AVPR1A), suggesting a mechanism for the previously described reduction of renal vasopressin sensitivity by bradykinin. Additionally, reduced heart rate variability (HRV), increased cardiac output and frequency, and the development of cardiac hypertrophy are the main chronic effects observed in the cardiovascular system. In conclusion: (1) the transgenic KapBK rat is a useful model for studying chronic effects of bradykinin in kidney; (2) increased renal bradykinin causes changes in renin angiotensin system regulation; (3) decreased renal vasopressin sensitivity in KapBK rats is related to decreased V1A receptor expression; (4) although increased renal levels of bradykinin causes no changes in mean arterial pressure (MAP), it causes reduction in HRV, augmentation in cardiac frequency and output and consequently cardiac hypertrophy in rats after 6 months of age.

(Pro)renin receptor and V-ATPase: from Drosophila to humans.

A decade ago, the (P)RR [(pro)renin receptor] was discovered and depicted as a potential activator of the tissue renin-angiotensin system. For this reason, the role of the (P)RR in cardiovascular diseases and diabetes has been particularly studied. However, the discovery of embryonic lethality after (P)RR gene deletion in mouse and zebrafish paved the way for additional roles of (P)RR in cell homoeostasis. Indeed, the (P)RR has been shown to associate with vacuolar H+-ATPase, hence its other name ATP6ap2. Developmental studies in Xenopus and Drosophila have revealed an essential role of this association to promote the canonical and non-canonical Wnt signalling pathways, whereas studies with tissue-specific gene deletion have pointed out a role in autophagy. The present review aims to summarize recent findings on the cellular functions of (P)RR emerging from various mutated and transgenic animal models.

CXCL5 limits macrophage foam cell formation in atherosclerosis.

The ELR(+)-CXCL chemokines have been described typically as potent chemoattractants and activators of neutrophils during the acute phase of inflammation. Their role in atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory vascular disease, has been largely unexplored. Using a mouse model of atherosclerosis, we found that CXCL5 expression was upregulated during disease progression, both locally and systemically, but was not associated with neutrophil infiltration. Unexpectedly, inhibition of CXCL5 was not beneficial but rather induced a significant macrophage foam cell accumulation in murine atherosclerotic plaques. Additionally, we demonstrated that CXCL5 modulated macrophage activation, increased expression of the cholesterol efflux regulatory protein ABCA1, and enhanced cholesterol efflux activity in macrophages. These findings reveal a protective role for CXCL5, in the context of atherosclerosis, centered on the regulation of macrophage foam cell formation.

(Pro)renin receptor: subcellular localizations and functions.

Since its first report in 1996, the concept of the so-called (Pro)renin receptor ((P)RR/ATP6ap2) has dramactically evolved from a receptor mediating cellular effects of (pro)renin, to a protein with more basic and potentially essential intracellular functions. Among the arguments urging to reconsider the role of (P)RR was the observation that its localization appears mainly intracellular, although this does not preclude potential functions at the cell surface. However, despite about 10 years of research boosted by the generation of genetically modified animal models, the basic mechanisms of action of this protein at the cellular level remain elusive. This review aims at discussing the functions described for (P)RR in relation to its subcellular localization(s).

Prorenin receptor is essential for podocyte autophagy and survival.

The prorenin receptor (PRR) is highly expressed in podocytes, but its role in the maintenance of podocyte function is unknown. Here we generated podocyte-specific PRR-knockout mice and found that these animals died between 2 to 3 wk after birth. Within 14 d, PRR-knockout mice developed nephrotic syndrome, albuminuria with podocyte foot-process fusion, and cytoskeletal changes. Podocyte-specific PRR deletion also led to disturbed processing of multivesicular bodies and enrichment of autophagosomal (LC3) and lysosomal (LAMP2) markers, indicating a functional block in autophagosome-lysosome fusion and an overload of the proteasomal protein-degradation machinery. In vitro, PRR knockdown and pharmacologic blockade of vacuolar H(+)-ATPases, which associate with the PRR, increased vesicular pH, led to accumulation of LC3-positive and LAMP2-positive vesicles and altered the cytoskeleton. Taken together, these results suggest that the PRR is essential for podocyte function and survival by maintaining autophagy and protein-turnover machinery. Furthermore, PRR contributes to the control of lysosomal pH, which is important for podocyte survival and cytoskeletal integrity.

Physiology of the (pro)renin receptor: Wnt of change?

The (pro)renin receptor is a protein that binds prorenin and renin in tissues, leading to their activation and, at the same time, to the initiation of intracellular signaling. The activation of local renin-angiotensin systems may play an important role in tissue damage induced by cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. However, (pro)renin receptor is also called ATP6ap2 because it has been shown to be associated with vacuolar H(+)-ATPase involvement in vesicular acidification and signaling in cells. Notably, lack of the protein in vertebrates leads to developmental alterations and early embryonic lethality probably as a result of the recently discovered role of the (pro)renin receptor and the vacuolar H(+)-ATPase in Wnt signaling. This review summarizes the current findings about these two functions of (pro)renin receptor/ATP6ap2 pointing out the possible links between both.

Anti-angiogenic properties of myo-inositol trispyrophosphate in ovo and growth reduction of implanted glioma.

We investigate here the anti-angiogenic properties of the synthetic compound myo-inositol trispyrophosphate (ITPP). By increasing oxy-haemoglobin dissociation, ITPP has the potential to counteract the effects of hypoxia, a critical regulator of angiogenesis and cancer progression. ITPP inhibited angiogenesis of the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM), as analyzed with an original program dedicated to automated quantification of angiogenesis in this model. ITPP also markedly reduced tumor progression and angiogenesis in an experimental model of U87 glioma cell nodules grafted onto the CAM. These results point out the potential of ITPP for the development of a new class of anti-angiogenic and anti-cancer compounds.

Aminopeptidase N during the ontogeny of the chick.

Little is known about the production and function of metallopeptidases in embryonic development. One such enzyme, aminopeptidase N (APN), is present in several epithelia, the brain and angiogenic vessels in adults. APN promotes vascular growth and endothelial cell proliferation in physiological and pathological models of angiogenesis. However, its possible role in embryonic angiogenesis or other developmental processes is unknown. Its expression profile in the early phase of embryonic development has not been reported. We report here the expression of this enzyme during the early development of the chick embryo, using complementary techniques for monitoring APN mRNA, protein, and enzymatic activity. We detected APN in the embryo as early as gastrulation. In addition to the known sites of APN production identified in both adults and rat fetuses toward the end of gestation, APN was found in unexpected sites, such as the primitive streak, the dorsal folds of the neural tube, the somites, and the primordia of several organs. APN was present mostly in the cardiovascular compartment during the first 13 days of incubation, and in the hematopoietic compartment (yolk sac and aorta-gonad-mesonephros region) early in development. This study provides clues as to the possible role of APN in embryonic development.