A single cell atlas of the human proximal epididymis reveals cell-type specific functions and distinct roles for CFTR
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT:
ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens
PROVIDER: GSE148963 | GEO | 2020/08/25
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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Project description:Mammalian spermatozoa acquire their fertilizing ability during epididymal transit. Gene expression patterns along the epididymis are established by specific transcription factor networks that coordinate region-specific functions. The epididymis is usually divided into 3 segments: caput, corpus, and cauda. The human epididymis anatomy does not allow clear distinction between these three segments. To determine to which extent gene expression is segmented along the human epididymis, transcriptome profiling was performed on 8 distinct epididymal regions from 3 donors. Microarray analysis was performed on a Gene Chip Human Clariom S (Affymetrix®) array representing 337 100 transcriptional variants encoded by 20 800 genes. Proximal segments 1 to 3 were distinguishable from the distal epididymal segments (4 to 8) as shown by unsupervised Principal Component Analysis. Transcripts from each segment with differentially expressed genes (DEGs) > 2-fold change and FDR < 0.05 were clustered in relation to their intensity profiles. While no DEGs were detected between segments 1–3 corresponding to the efferent ducts, 1140 DEGs were detected between efferent ducts (1–3) and the epididymis (4–8), 400 between caput (4–6) vs. corpus/cauda (7–8) and none between corpus (7) and cauda (8). Gene Ontology annotation revealed that up-regulated DEGs in the efferent ducts (1–3) were predominantly related to cilium assembly/movement and cell differentiation. The biological process terms fertilization, defense and immune responses were associated with caput epididymis (4–6) while spermatogenesis and protein binding were found all along the epididymis (4–8). In conclusion, the proximal human epididymis is exclusively occupied by efferent ducts with a distinct DEG profile compared with the downstream epididymal segments. Moreover, gene expression profiling revealed two regions in the human epididymis; the caput and the distal corpus/cauda region. Taken together, analysis of the human epididymal transcriptome reveals a limited DEG profile.
2020-11-06 | GSE141568 | GEO
Project description:The role of estrogen and testosterone in the regulation of gene expression in the proximal reproductive tract is not completely understood. To address this question, mice were treated with testosterone or estradiol and RNA from the efferent ducts and caput epididymis was processed and hybridized to Affymetrix MOE 430 2.0 microarrays. Analysis of array output identified probe sets in each tissue with altered levels in hormone treated versus control animals. Hormone treatment efficacy was confirmed by determination of serum hormone levels pre- and post-treatment and observed changes in transcript levels of previously reported hormone-responsive genes. Tissue-specific hormone sensitivity was observed with 2867 and 3197 probe sets changing significantly in the efferent ducts after estrogen and testosterone treatment, respectively. In the caput epididymis, 117 and 268 probe sets changed after estrogen and testosterone treatment, respectively, demonstrating a greater response to hormone in the efferent ducts than the caput epididymis. Transcripts sharing similar profiles in the intact and hormone-treated animals compared with castrated controls were also identified. Ontological analysis of probe sets revealed a significant number of hormone-regulated transcripts encode proteins associated with lipid metabolism, transcription and steroid metabolism in both tissues. Real-time RT-PCR was employed to confirm array data and investigate other potential hormone-responsive regulators of proximal reproductive tract function. The results of this work reveal previously unknown responses to estrogen in the caput epididymis and to testosterone in the efferent ducts as well as tissue specific hormone sensitivity in the proximal reproductive tract. Adult animals were castrated or sham-castrated, allowed to recover for 14 days, and then treated with 0.015 mg estradiol (castrated), 0.015 mg testosterone propionate (castrated), or vehicle (castrated and sham-castrated as biological controls) in duplicate. Efferent duct and caput epididymis was collected from each sample and analyzed. Duplicates are included in the provided data and numbered 1 or 2 for each treatment regimen.
2009-12-30 | E-GEOD-17553 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:The role of estrogen and testosterone in the regulation of gene expression in the proximal reproductive tract is not completely understood. To address this question, mice were treated with testosterone or estradiol and RNA from the efferent ducts and caput epididymis was processed and hybridized to Affymetrix MOE 430 2.0 microarrays. Analysis of array output identified probe sets in each tissue with altered levels in hormone treated versus control animals. Hormone treatment efficacy was confirmed by determination of serum hormone levels pre- and post-treatment and observed changes in transcript levels of previously reported hormone-responsive genes. Tissue-specific hormone sensitivity was observed with 2867 and 3197 probe sets changing significantly in the efferent ducts after estrogen and testosterone treatment, respectively. In the caput epididymis, 117 and 268 probe sets changed after estrogen and testosterone treatment, respectively, demonstrating a greater response to hormone in the efferent ducts than the caput epididymis. Transcripts sharing similar profiles in the intact and hormone-treated animals compared with castrated controls were also identified. Ontological analysis of probe sets revealed a significant number of hormone-regulated transcripts encode proteins associated with lipid metabolism, transcription and steroid metabolism in both tissues. Real-time RT-PCR was employed to confirm array data and investigate other potential hormone-responsive regulators of proximal reproductive tract function. The results of this work reveal previously unknown responses to estrogen in the caput epididymis and to testosterone in the efferent ducts as well as tissue specific hormone sensitivity in the proximal reproductive tract.
2009-12-31 | GSE17553 | GEO
Project description:Objectives Here we used single cell RNA-seq technologies to elucidate the identity of cells within the human efferent ducts and compared them to caput epididymis cells. We also compared the cellularity of primary tissues with those of 2D and 3D (organoid) culture models used for functional studies. Materials and Methods Human epididymis tissue was dissected to separate different anatomical regions and digested to release single cells for processing on the 10X Genomics Chromium platform. Primary human epididymis epithelial (HEE) cells and HEE organoids were grown as described previously and subjected to single cell (sc) RNA-seq. ScRNA-seq data were processed by standard bioinformatics pipelines and used for comparative analysis. Results We define the cell types in the efferent ducts which include specialized epithelial cells, connective tissue stromal cells, vascular endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells and immune cells, but lack basal cells that are seen in the caput epididymis. Furthermore, we identify a sub-population of epithelial cells which have marker genes found in the bladder and urothelium. Comparative genomics analysis of the 2D and 3D culture models shows cellular identities adapted to the culture environment while still maintaining similarity to the primary tissue. Discussion Our data suggest that efferent ducts are lined with a transitional epithelium, which like the urothelium is able to stretch and contract depending on luminal volume. This is consistent with its primary role in seminal fluid resorption and sperm concentration. Moreover, we describe the cellularity of models to study the human epididymis epithelium in vitro. Conclusion Single cell RNA-seq data from the human epididymis make a valuable contribution to our understanding of this highly specialized organ.
2023-06-21 | GSE235009 | GEO
Project description:The tissues of the male reproductive tract are characterized by distinct morphologies, ranging from highly coiled to un-coiled. Global gene expression profiles of the efferent ducts, epididymis, and vas deferens were generated from embryonic day 14.5 to postnatal day 1, the period when gross morphological changes are initiated and tissue-specific morphologies emerge. Expression profiles of homeobox genes, as potential regionalization factors, were examined. Tissue transcriptome comparison identified two expression profiles of interest: genes similar between the epididymis and vas deferens early in development but dissimilar later and genes dissimilar between the epididymis and efferent duct early but similar later. Ontology analysis demonstrated cell adhesion-associated genes to be highly enriched in both comparisons. This work identified several potential regulators of cell adhesion along the tract and indicates cell adhesion may be modulated in a tissue-specific manner, playing an important role in the establishment of each tissueâs final morphology. Efferent duct, epididymis, and vas deferens samples at E14.5, E16.5, E18.5, and P1 in duplicate Developmental time course, tissue to tissue comparison, microarray study
2010-07-30 | E-GEOD-22616 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:The testis, efferent ductules, epididymis, and vas deferens, constituting the majority of male reproductive tract, are the regions for testosterone production, spermatogenesis, and sperm maturation, storage and discharge, but whether these regions change during aging is unknown. Here, we addressed this by investigating the adult (3-month) and aged (18-month) transcriptomes from seven regions of male mouse reproductive tract：the testis, efferent ductules, initial segment, caput, corpus and cauda epididymis, and vas deferens. We identified various of region-specific genes across different regions of male mouse reproductive tract. Moreover, we identified region-dependent changes of transcripts at an anatomic resolution. This study provides a framework for futher studies on male reproducitve aging.
2022-03-02 | GSE181426 | GEO
Project description:In total, 40,623 cells were detected and further clustered into 8 identified cell populations. Focused analyses revealed the subpopulations of principal cells, basal cells, clear/narrow cells, and halo/T cells. Notably, two subtypes of principal cells, the Prc7 and Prc8 subpopulations were enriched as stereocilia-like cells according to GO analysis. Further analysis demonstrated the spatially specific pattern of the DEGs in each cell cluster. Unexpectedly, the abundance of mitochondria and mitochondrial transcription (MT) was found to be higher in the corpus and cauda epididymis than in the caput epididymis by scRNA-seq, immunostaining, and qPCR validation. In addition, the spatio-temporal profile of the DEGs from the P42 and P56 epididymis, including transiting spermatozoa, was depicted.
2021-04-12 | GSE159713 | GEO
Project description:Estradiol or Testosterone treated efferent duct and caput epididymis
| PRJNA118649 | ENA
Project description:Purpose: The goal of this study is to detect differentially expressed genes, between wild-type (WT) efferent duct ligation (EDL)-treated, and W/Wv caput epididymis by RNA sequencing Methods: The EDL treatment of WT mice was performed from 10 weeks old and continued for 4 weeks until tissue sampling at 14 weeks old. Caput epididymal mRNA profiles of 14-week-old WT, EDL, and W/Wv mice were generated by deep sequencing, in triplicate, using Illumina NovaSeq6000. Results: RNA-seq data identified differentially expressed transcripts. Conclusions: Our results show that the expression of many genes was downregulated in EDL or W/Wv caput epididymis compared with WT one.
2023-05-23 | GSE232898 | GEO
Project description:The tissues of the male reproductive tract are characterized by distinct morphologies, ranging from highly coiled to un-coiled. Global gene expression profiles of the efferent ducts, epididymis, and vas deferens were generated from embryonic day 14.5 to postnatal day 1, the period when gross morphological changes are initiated and tissue-specific morphologies emerge. Expression profiles of homeobox genes, as potential regionalization factors, were examined. Tissue transcriptome comparison identified two expression profiles of interest: genes similar between the epididymis and vas deferens early in development but dissimilar later and genes dissimilar between the epididymis and efferent duct early but similar later. Ontology analysis demonstrated cell adhesion-associated genes to be highly enriched in both comparisons. This work identified several potential regulators of cell adhesion along the tract and indicates cell adhesion may be modulated in a tissue-specific manner, playing an important role in the establishment of each tissue’s final morphology.
2010-06-30 | GSE22616 | GEO