Biology subjects

Nobrega, R. H.

Publications and source records attributed to Nobrega, R. H..

7 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2022

TGF-β and BMP subfamily pathways in zebrafish spermatogonial niche: A83-01 and DMH1 inhibitor effects in spermatogonial self-renewal and differentiation

This study unravels the roles of TGF-{beta} (Transforming growth factor-{beta}) superfamily signaling pathway in the zebrafish spermatogonial activity (self-renewal vs. differentiation) by combining ex vivo and specific pathway inhibitors approaches. The TGF-{beta} superfamily signaling pathway is subdivided into TGF-{beta} and Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP) subfamilies, and is ubiquitous among metazoans, regulating several biological processes, including spermatogenesis. In this study, we evaluated the function of the TGF-{beta} and BMP subfamily pathways in the zebrafish spermatogonial niche using A83-01 and DMH1 inhibitors, respectively. Our results showed that A83-01 potentiated the follicle-stimulating hormone (Fsh) effects on zebrafish spermatogenesis, reducing type A undifferentiated spermatogonia and increasing differentiated spermatogonia (type Adiff and type B spermatogonia) after 7 days of culture. In agreement with histomorphometrical data, the mRNA levels of dazl (marker of spermatogonial differentiation) and pro-differentiation growth factors, such as igf3 and insl3, were significantly augmented following A83-01. For the BMP signaling pathway, exposure to DMH1 inhibitor showed opposite effects as compared to TGF-{beta} superfamily signaling pathway inhibitor. Histomorphometrical analysis demonstrated an accumulation of type A undifferentiated spermatogonia, while the frequency of differentiated spermatogonia was significantly reduced following co-treatment of DMH1 with Fsh after 7 days of culture. To support this data, expression analysis revealed that BMP signaling pathway inhibitor also decreased the testicular mRNA levels of dazl, igf3 and insl3 when compared to control incubation (Fsh). In conclusion, our study demonstrated that TGF-{beta} and BMP subfamily pathways exert a role in zebrafish spermatogonial niche with antagonistic functions for the spermatogonia fate. The TGF-{beta} subfamily pathway is involved with spermatogonial self-renewal and inhibition of differentiation, whereas the BMP subfamily pathway promotes spermatogonial differentiation. These findings are not only relevant to understanding stem cell biology, but may also be useful in several in vitro assays, promoting control of self-renewal and differentiation by potentially directing these processes.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2022

Thyroid hormones deficiency impairs male germ cell development: a cross talk between hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid, and - gonadal axes in zebrafish

In vertebrates, thyroid hormones, including thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), are critical players in controlling different physiological processes such as development, growth, metabolism among others. There is evidence in mammals that thyroid hormones are also an important component of the hormonal system that controls reproduction, although studies in fish remain poorly investigated. Here we tested this hypothesis by investigating the effects of methimazole-induced hypothyroidism on the testicular function in adult D. rerio. Treatment of fish with methimazole, in vivo, significantly affected the progression of zebrafish spermatogenesis by inducing the accumulation of pre-meiotic cells, delaying cell differentiation and meiosis, as well as reducing the number of spermatozoa. The observed impairment of spermatogenesis by methimazole was correlated with significant changes in transcript levels for several genes involved in the control of reproduction. Using an in vitro approach, we also demonstrated that in addition to affecting the components of the brain-pituitary-peripheral axis, T3 also exerts direct action at the level of the testis. These results support the hypothesis that thyroid hormones are an essential component of multifactorial control of reproduction and testicular function in zebrafish and possibly other vertebrates.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2021

Gdnf, a germ cell-derived factor, regulates zebrafish germ cell stemness through the creation of new spermatogonial niches (germ and Sertoli cells) and inhibition of spermatogonial differentiation in an autocrine and paracrine manners

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and its receptor (GDNF Family Receptor 1 - GFR1) are well known to mediate spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) proliferation and survival in the mammalian testes. In nonmammalian species, Gdnf and Gfr1 orthologs have been found but their functions remain poorly investigated in the testis. Considering this background, this study aimed to understand the roles of Gdnf-Gfr1 signaling pathway in the zebrafish testis by combining in vivo, in silico and ex vivo approaches. Our analysis showed that zebrafish exhibited two paralogs of Gndf (gdnfa and gdnfb) and its receptor, Gfr1 (gfr1a and gfr1b), in agreement with the teleost-specific third round (3R) of whole genome duplication. Expression analysis further revealed that gdnfa and gfr1a were the most expressed copies in the zebrafish adult testes. Subsequently, we demonstrated that gdnfa is expressed in the germ cells, while Gfr1a was detected in early spermatogonia (mainly in types Aund and Adiff) and Sertoli cells. Functional ex vivo analysis showed that Gdnf promoted the creation of new available niches by stimulating proliferation of both type Aund spermatogonia and their surrounding Sertoli cells, but without changing pou5f3 mRNA levels. Strikingly, Gdnf also inhibited late spermatogonial differentiation as shown by the decrease of type B spermatogonia and down-regulation of dazl in the co-treatment with Fsh. Altogether, our data revealed for the first time that a germ cell-derived factor is associated with maintaining germ cell stemness through the creation of new available niches, supporting development of differentiating spermatogonial cysts and inhibiting late spermatogonial differentiation in autocrine and paracrine manners.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2021

Interaction of thyroid hormones and gonadotropin inhibitory hormone in the multifactorial control of zebrafish (Danio rerio) spermatogenesis

Reproduction is under multifactorial control of neurohormones, pituitary gonadotropins, as well as a number of gonadal hormones including sex steroids and growth factors. Gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (Gnih), a novel RFamide neuropeptide, was shown to be involved in the control of pituitary gonadotropin production, as well as being involved as a paracrine factor in the regulation of gonadal function. In this context, recent studies have demonstrated that Gnih inhibited gonadotropin-induced spermatogenesis in the zebrafish testicular explants. Thyroid hormones are known to interact with the reproductive axis, and are, in particular, involved in the regulation of testicular function. Based on this background, we investigated the interaction between Gnih and thyroid hormones in the control of zebrafish spermatogenesis. To this end, zebrafish adult males were treated with the goitrogen methimazole (1mM for 21 days) in order to generate a hypothyroid model organism. Subsequently, a factorial design using an ex vivo testis culture system in combination with histomorphometrical and FACScan cell cycle analyses were adopted. Our results showed that methimazole treatment affected both basal and gonadotropin-induced spermatogenesis, in particular, meiosis and spermiogenesis. Moreover, the goitrogen treatment nullified the inhibitory actions of Gnih on the gonadotropin-induced spermatogenesis, specifically in the haploid cell population. We have demonstrated that thyroid hormones interaction with gonadotropin and Gnih are important components for the regulation of zebrafish spermatogenesis. The results provide a support for the hypothesis that thyroid hormones are important contributors in multifactorial control of spermatogenesis in zebrafish.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2021

CAN CARBON NANOFIBERS AFFECT ANUROFAUNA? STUDY INVOLVING NEOTROPICAL Physalaemus cuvieri (Fitzinger, 1826) TADPOLES

Although carbon nanotubes (CNTs) toxicity in different experimental systems (in vivo and in vitro) is known, little is known about the toxic effects of carbon nanofibers (CNFs) on aquatic vertebrates. We herein investigated the potential impact of CNFs (1 and 10 mg/L) by using Physalaemus cuvieri tadpoles as experimental model. CNFs were able to induce nutritional deficit in animals after 48-h exposure to them, and this finding was inferred by reductions observed in body concentrations of total soluble carbohydrates, total proteins, and triglycerides. The increased production of hydrogen peroxide, reactive oxygen species and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in tadpoles exposed to CNFs has suggested REDOX homeostasis change into oxidative stress. This process was correlated to the largest number of apoptotic and necrotic cells in the blood of these animals. On the other hand, the increased superoxide dismutase and catalase activity has suggested that the antioxidant system of animals exposed to CNFs was not enough to maintain REDOX balance. In addition, CNFs induced increase in acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase activity, as well as changes in the number of neuromats evaluated on body surface (which is indicative of the neurotoxic effect of nanomaterials on the assessed model system). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the impact of CNFs on amphibians; therefore, it broadened our understanding about ecotoxicological risks associated with their dispersion in freshwater ecosystems and possible contribution to the decline in the populations of anurofauna species.

zoology↗

bioRxiv2021

An insight into neurotoxic and toxicity of spike fragments SARS-CoV-2 by exposure environment: A threat to aquatic health?

The Spike protein (S protein) is a critical component in the infection of the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). The objective of this work was to evaluate whether peptides from S protein could cause negative impact in the aquatic animals. The aquatic toxicity of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein peptides derivatives has been evaluated in tadpoles (n = 50 tadpoles / 5 replicates of 10 animals) from species Physalaemus cuvieri (Leptodactylidae). After synthesis, purification, and characterization of peptides (PSDP2001, PSDP2002, PSDP2003) an aquatic contamination has been simulatedwith these peptides during 24 hours of exposure in two concentrations (100 and 500 ng/mL). The control group ("C") was composed of tadpoles kept in polyethylene containers containing de-chlorinated water. Oxidative stress, antioxidant biomarkers and neurotoxicity activity were assessed. In both concentrations, PSPD2002 and PSPD2003 increased catalase and superoxide dismutase antioxidants enzymes activities, as well as oxidative stress (nitrite levels, hydrogen peroxide and reactive oxygen species). All three peptides also increased acetylcholinesterase activity in the highest concentration. These peptides showed molecular interactions in silico with acetylcholinesterase and antioxidant enzymes. Aquatic particle contamination of SARS-CoV-2 has neurotoxics effects in P. cuvieri tadpoles. These findings indicate that the COVID-19 can constitute environmental impact or biological damage potential. HIGHLIGHTSO_LISARS-CoV-2 spike protein peptides (PSDP) were synthesized, purified, and characterized by solid phase peptide synthesis. C_LIO_LIPSDP peptides promoted REDOX imbalance and acute neurotoxicity in tadpoles (Physalaemus cuvieri) C_LIO_LIIn silico studies have shown interactionsbetween peptides and acetylcholinesterase and antioxidant enzymes C_LIO_LIAquatic particle contamination of SARS-CoV-2 can constitute additional environmental damage C_LI GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=106 SRC="FIGDIR/small/425914v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (49K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1b86f96org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1a6225corg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@19d953org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@10af7ff_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2020

Zebrafish studies on the vaccine candidate to COVID-19, the Spike protein: Production of antibody and adverse reaction

Establishing new experimental animal models to assess the safety and immune response to the antigen used in the development of COVID-19 vaccine is an imperative issue. Based on the advantages of using zebrafish as a model in research, herein we suggest doing this to test the safety of the putative vaccine candidates and to study immune response against the virus. We produced a recombinant N-terminal fraction of the Spike SARS-CoV-2 protein and injected it into adult female zebrafish. The specimens generated humoral immunity and passed the antibodies to the eggs. However, they presented adverse reactions and inflammatory responses similar to severe cases of human COVID-19. The analysis of the structure and function of zebrafish and human Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, the main human receptor for virus infection, presented remarkable sequence similarities. Moreover, bioinformatic analysis predicted protein-protein interaction of the Spike SARS-CoV-2 fragment and the Toll-like receptor pathway. It might help in the choice of future therapeutic pharmaceutical drugs to be studied. Based on the in vivo and in silico results presented here, we propose the zebrafish as a model for translational research into the safety of the vaccine and the immune response of the vertebrate organism to the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

immunology↗