Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39636482›Full record

ArticleJournal of molecular histology2024

OCTN2 expression and function in the Sertoli cells of testes from patients with non-obstructive azoospermia.

Dong Li, Nan Jiang, Minjia Pan, Linzi Ma, Yunchong Huang, Xiaoheng Xu, Xinyan Yang, Yongtong Zhu, Hua Shi, Shan-Chao Zhao

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Article in Journal of molecular histology, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Dong Li *Department of Urology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, No. 1023-1063 Shatai South Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China.
Nan Jiang *Department of Urology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, No. 1023-1063 Shatai South Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China.
Minjia Pan *Department of Urology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, No. 1023-1063 Shatai South Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China.
Linzi MaDepartment of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Yunchong HuangThe First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Xiaoheng XuDepartment of Clinical Laboratory, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Xinyan YangState Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Yongtong Zhu *Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Hua Shi *Department of Reproductive Medicine, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Shan-Chao Zhao *Department of Urology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, No. 1023-1063 Shatai South Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China. yingchuoqian50664@163.com.

Funding

Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital self-raised fund KY012019154
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAmong couples, male factors account for approximately 50% of infertility cases, with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) representing one of the most clinically common and severe categories of male infertility, affecting approximately 10-15% of patients. Currently, L-carnitine is clinically used to improve spermatogenesis by regulating Sertoli cell function. Multiple clinical trials have described the efficacy of L-carnitine in treating NOA. Notably, Sertoli cells rely on organic carnitine transporter 2 (OCTN2) for carnitine transport. However, it remains unknown whether OCTN2 expression is involved in the pathological process of NOA.

objectiveTo investigate the expression and function of OCTN2 in Sertoli cells from patients with NOA. MATERIALS AND

methodsTen testicular tissue samples were collected, including five from a healthy group and five from a group of patients with NOA. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence were used to detect the expression of OCTN2 in testicular tissue. Additionally, an Octn2-KO TM4 cell line (a mouse testicular Sertoli cell line) was constructed to explore the function of OCTN2 expression in Sertoli cells through transcriptomic sequencing, cell proliferation experiments, metabolomic analysis, and Western blot analysis.

resultsCompared with those of the healthy group, the immunohistochemistry results revealed a significant decrease in OCTN2 expression in the Sertoli cells of the NOA group. Further investigation through cell proliferation experiments revealed a reduction in the proliferative capacity of the Octn2-KO TM4 cell line. Transcriptomic sequencing and metabolomic data analysis revealed a decrease in autophagy in the Octn2-KO TM4 cell line. Western blot analysis subsequently verified the expression levels of autophagy-related proteins.

conclusionIn the Sertoli cells of NOA patients, decreased OCTN2 protein expression leads to decreased cell proliferation and autophagy abnormalities, which may play a crucial role in the spermatogenic dysfunction observed in NOA patients.

Indexed as

AzoospermiaSertoli CellsSolute Carrier Family 22 Member 5TestisAdultAnimalsAutophagyCarnitineCell LineCell ProliferationHumansMaleMiceSpermatogenesisCarnitineSLC22A5 protein, humanSolute Carrier Family 22 Member 5AutophagyNOAOCTN2SertoliTestis

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.