Regulation of expression of Wfdc (Whey-acidic protein four dissulfite core) genes by inflammatory stimulus in the mouse epididymis: potential roles on immune and reproductive functions

• Grant number: 17/20102-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: May 01, 2018
• End date: July 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Pharmacology
• Agreement: Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES)
• Principal Investigator: Erick José Ramo da Silva
• Grantee: Alexandre Dorth de Andrade
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IBB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 15/08227-0 - A study on EPPIN as a drug target for male contraception: developing a new animal model to test the efficacy of male contraceptive drugs, AP.JP

Abstract

Epididymitis is one of the most frequent diseases of the male urogenital tract and a relevant etiological factor of infertility. Epididymitis is mostly caused by Escherichia coli bacterial infections, which colonize the epididymis by retrograde canalicular ascension via the urethra. The epididymis constitutively expresses a myriad of antimicrobial proteins, such as the members of the WFDC (Whey-acidic protein four disufide core) family, which are secreted by epididymal epithelial cells and interact with maturing spermatozoa, thus having potential roles in both tissue defense events against infections and sperm function. We hypothesize that bacterial epididymitis modifies the expression of Wfdc genes in the epididymis and compromises sperm maturation. Therefore, our aim is to investigate the effects of epididymitis induced by the injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from E. coli into the lumen of the mouse vas deferens, an in vivo experimental model of epididymitis that mimics the clinical condition, on the expression of Wfdc genes (Wfdc2, Wfdc3, Wfdc4, Wfdc5, Wfdc6a, Wfdc6b, Wfdc7, Wfdc8, Wfdc9, Wfdc10, Wfdc11, Wfdc12, Wfdc13, Wfdc15a, Wfdc15b e Wfdc16), as well as their potential impact on sperm motility. To achieve this aim, we will perform gene expression and sperm motility assays. Unraveling the mechanism that regulate the expression of Wfdc genes in the epididymis will broaden our understanding of their roles as multifunctional regulators of innate immunity and fertility. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

ANDRADE, ALEXANDRE D.; ALMEIDA, PRISCILA G. C.; MARIANI, NOEMIA A. P.; FREITAS, GEANNE A.; KUSHIMA, HELIO; FILADELPHO, ANDRE L.; SPADELLA, MARIA ANGELICA; AVELLAR, MARIA CHRISTINA W.; SILVA, ERICK J. R.. Lipopolysaccharide-induced epididymitis modifies the transcriptional profile of Wfdc genes in mice. BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION, v. 104, n. 1, p. 144-158, JAN 2020. (15/08227-0, 17/20102-3)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

ANDRADE, Alexandre Dorth de. Regulation of expression of Wfdc (Whey-acidic protein four dissulfite core) genes by inflammatory stimulus in the mouse epididymis: potential roles on immune and reproductive functions. 2019. Master's Dissertation - Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp). Instituto de Biociências. Botucatu Botucatu.