Received 2 December 2014; revised 25 December 2014; accepted 6 January 2015

ABSTRACT

Testicular function is regulated by pituitary hormones and also by paracrine and autocrine factors. A number of reports have pointed out the importance of estrogens and progesterone in male reproductive tract. Recently, we have reported in testicular biopsies from men with Sertoli Cell Only Syndrome (SCO) or Hypospermatogenesis (H) with Leydig cell hyperplasia (LCH) an increase in the expression of the TGFB1 and its receptors ALK1 and endoglin, which are involved in the proliferation of Leydig cells. The aim of the present work was to analyze the expression of aromatase, estrogen and progesterone receptors (ERs, PR) in pathological testicular biopsies with SCO or H with and without LCH. The ERs and CYP19 proteins were detected in the Leydig cells from all pathological biopsies analyzed. Biopsies with SCO or H with LCH showed an increment in the immunostaining of CYP19 and ERs in the Leydig cells respect to biopsies without LCH. The gene expression of CYP19 was increased in SCO or H biopsies with LCH respect to SCO and H biopsies without LCH. PR was localized in Leydig cells and showed a significant increment in biopsies with LCH respect from biopsies without LCH. The gene expression of both PRA and PRB was increased in biopsies with LCH respect to biopsies without LCH. In concussion, alterations in the gene expression of aromatase, ERs, and PR and the likely interactions of these systems with locally produced factors such as growth factors and cytokines, might lead to Leydig cell proliferation in testicular pathology.

Keywords:

Aromatase, Progesterone, Estrogen, Leydig

1. Introduction

Testis exerts two main functions: steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis, which are both finely regulated by endocrine, autocrine and paracrine factors. While testosterone is the main steroid produced by testis, estrogens and progesterone are also synthesized by male gonads. A number of reports have pointed out the importance of these hormones in male reproductive tract [1] -[4] .

The synthesis of estrogens is catalyzed by aromatase enzyme encoded by CYP19 gene. Although it has been reported that aromatase is expressed in germ cells and spermatids [5] , Leydig cells have been identified as the major site of expression in the testis [3] [6] [7] . Aromatase activity has been shown to be controlled not only by LH, cyclic AMP and testosterone, but also by local factors.

Estrogens exert their effects by the interaction with two different receptors, estrogen receptor α and β (ERalpha and ERbeta) [8] . The presence of ERα and β in human testis has been extensively described [5] [7] . However, not all studies have agreed in ER localization or expression for the same type of cells. This discrepancy might be due either to the occurrence of a number of ERα and β isoforms or to the diverse antibodies employed in the studies [9] . In mice testis, ERsα and β modulate the cell proliferation and the steroidogenic process [10] .

The transcriptional responses to estrogenic signalling depend on the concentration and cellular localization of ERs. It is now known that ERs function as dimers, and co-expression of ERα and ERβ in a given cell may lead to an interaction between these two receptors [11] . In this context, it has been shown that ERα and β can modulate gene transcription by themselves or, in an indirect way; i.e. ERβ can regulate the ERα action enhancing or repressing gene transcription [12] [13] .

The role of progesterone in male reproductive physiology has not yet been established. It has been described that progesterone regulates the spermatogenic process [14] [15] , and the steroidogenesis in Leydig cells by the modulation of Star expression [16] . Progesterone receptors (PR) have been described in spermatozoa of different species including adult human testis [17] -[20] . However there are scan information about the action of progesterone on Leydig cell function [21] .

Genomic PR is expressed in two major isoforms, named PRA and PRB, which are the product of two different transcriptional start sites [1] [22] . PRA and PRB have, to some extent, different functions. PRA act generally as a repressor of PRB, while PRB is a strong activator of target genes [23] .

Azoopermic men (non-obstructive azoospermia) generally present either Sertoli Cell Only Syndrome (SCO) or Hypospermatogenesis (H). A group of these patients also have Leydig cell hyperplasia (LCH), which is a benign condition that occur either as multifocal nodules, often bilateral or diffuse [24] [25] .

Recently, Gonzalez et al. have reported the involvement of progesterone in transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) action on TM3 Leydig cell proliferation by inducing the co-receptor endoglin [26] . Furthermore, these authors have also demonstrated the expression of TGF-β1 system in testicular biopsies from men with SCO or H [27] , and have observed that patients with SCO or H who also present LCH showed that the expression of TGF-β1 mRNA was higher than SCO or H patients without LCH. They have described the presence of endoglin, the co-receptor of ALK-1 (TGFB1 type I receptor), in human Leydig cells and a positive correlation between ALK1 and endoglin, suggesting that these proteins might be involved in the hyperplasia/hypertrophy of Leydig cells [27] .

The aim of the present study was to analyze the expression profiles of aromatase, ER and PR in pathological testicular biopsies with SCO or H with and without LCH. We studied the differential pattern of expression of the ERα and ERβ isoforms as well as PRA and PRB isoforms and their involvement on Leydig cell hyperplasia.

2. Material and Methods

2.1. Patients and Testicular Biopsies

The present study was considered in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration and its last modification in Tokyo 2004 on human experimentation and was approved by The Ethical Committee of the Durand Hospital (Buenos Aires, Argentina) and Ethical Committee of the Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (accredited provision # 4-DGDOIN-2012 and # 46 to the Central Committee of Ethics in Research, Ministry of Health, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina). Informed Consent was obtained from every patients enrolled in the study (between the years 2006-2010).

Nineteen men (27 - 42 years old) presenting idiopathic infertility and non-obstructive azoospermia without infection process were included in this study and were assessed and diagnosed by open testicular biopsy. Those patients that presented known etiology of infertility, such as genitourinary infections, mumps orchitis, varicocele, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, chromosome anomalies, obstruction or agenesia of seminal ducts were excluded.

Azoospermia diagnosis was determined by the analysis of at least two semen samples collected at different times. Two replicates of each sample were centrifuged at 3000 × g for 15 min. A detailed physical examination, endocrinology profile testing and a testicular biopsy were performed to every patient. Those patients included in this study presented normal cariotype. It was considered non-obstructive azoospermia to the presence of defects in spermatogenesis in testicular biopsy without evidence of obstruction in the ejaculatory ducts. All the patients underwent diagnostic testicular biopsy or sperm retrieval and agreed to supply a piece of testicular tissue (5 mm in diameter) for further studies. Tissue was fixed in Bouin’s solution and subjected to histopathological diagnosis. The testicular histopathology was categorized according to the most advanced presence of spermatogenesis. Two pathologists evaluated all testicular slices. Biopsies were classified either as H or SCO appearance, according to McLachlan et al. [28] . The H group included men in which the biopsy specimens contained less than 17 mature spermatids per tubule [29] [30] . The LCH group presented more than 7 Leydig clusters of more than 15 cells per 3.14 mm², in four fields of vision with a 20 × objective [31] . Briefly, biopsies were classified as SCO (n = 6), SCO + LCH (n = 2), H (n = 8) and H + LCH (n = 3) according to testicular morphology. Two- thirds of the volume of pathological samples was cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen for molecular biology studies.

2.2. Immunohistochemistry of Human Testicular Tissue

Bouin’s fixed human testicular biopsies were dehydrated, embedded in paraffin and sectioned at 5 μm. Hematoxylin/eosin stain was used to analyze testicular morphology. The sections were deparaffinized with 100% xylene and sequentially rehydrated with 96%, 90%, 80% and 70% ethanol. Endogen peroxydase was blocked with 3% hydrogen peroxide in absolute methanol for 5 min, washed twice with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS, pH 7.4) for 5 min each time. The sections were subjected to saponine (0.5%) treatment. Nonspecific binding was blocked with normal serum blocking buffer for 20 min at room temperature. The slides were incubated over night with the primary antibodies 1:200 diluted rabbit anti-aromatase (ab18995, Abcam, UK) or 1:200 diluted rabbit anti-PR (C-19, sc-538, Santa Cruz Biotechnology) at 4˚C ON. Then, samples were incubated with the appropriated 1:200 biotynilated secondary antibody (Vector Labs) and the colour reaction was amplified with kit ABC (Vector Labs) and 0.055% w/v 3,3’-diaminobenzidine and 0.1% v/v H2O2 in Tris-HCl. Negative controls were processed simultaneously by omitting the primary antibodies and were treated with preimmune serum.

2.3. Double Immunofluorescence of Human Testicular Tissue

Dewaxed and rehidrated tissue sections were blocked for 1 h with 15% normal goat serum in PBS and then incubated overnight at 4˚C with primary antibody 1:100 diluted rabbit anti-ERβ (ab3577, Abcam). After three rinses in PBS, sections were incubated for 1 h at room temperature with the appropriated 1:300 diluted anti rabbit Alexa Fluor (Invitrogen, Carlsbad , CA , USA ). After further washing in PBS, sections were incubated overnight at 4˚C with the primary antibody 1:200 diluted rabbit anti-ERα (MC-20, sc-542, Santa Cruz Biotechnology). After three rinses in PBS, sections were incubated in the dark for 1 h at room temperature with 1:300 diluted FITC anti-rabbit IgG (H + L) conjugate (Zymed Laboratories, San Francisco, CA, USA). After further washing in PBS, slides were mounted with DAKO fluorescence mounting medium ( DAKO , USA ) and analyzed by using a Nikon C1 D-Eclipse Confocal microscope coupled to Ti Eclipse Fluorescence system. Negative controls were processed simultaneously by omitting the primary antibodies or pre-absorbing the primary antibody with synthetic peptides.

2.4. Image Analysis

Six sections of each sample were analyzed. Microscope images of aromatase immunoreactivity were captured with an optic microscope (BX40, Olympus Optical Corporation, Tokyo, Japan), fitted with a digital camera (390CU 3.2 Megapixel CCD Camera, Micrometrics, Spain), while ERα and β and PR immunoreactivity were captured with a Nikon C1 D-Eclipse Confocal microscope coupled to Ti Eclipse Fluorescence system. In both cases, images were analyzed using Image-Pro Plus software (Image-Pro Plus 6, Media Cybernetics Inc., Bethesda , Maryland , USA ) and the integrated optical density was measures. All images were taken the same day under the same light to avoid external variations.

2.5. Testicular RNA Isolation and Quantitative Real Time PCR

Total RNA from human biopsies was extracted with Trizol (Invitrogen) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Total RNA (1 ug) was treated with DNAseI (Invitrogen). Reverse transcription reaction was carried out in a 20 μl reaction using M-MLV reverse transcriptase (Promega, 200 U/ul) and random hexamers primers (Biodynamics).

Reverse-transcribed cDNAs were used to amplify mRNA sequences in a Stratagene MPX500 cycler (Stra- tagene, USA), using SYBR Green Master Mix Reagent (Applied Biosystems). The forward (F) and reverse (R) human primers were: aromatase (NM_000103.3): F: 5’ CTAAATTGCCCCCTCTGAG 3’ and R: 5’CCACACCAAGAGAAAAAG 3’; PRA-B (NM_001202474.3): F: 5’ ACACCTTGCCTGAAGTTT 3’ and R: 5’ CTGTCCTTTTCTGGGGGA 3’; PRB (NM_001202474.2): F: 5’ GAGGATAGCTCTGAGTCC 3’ and R: 5’ TTTGCCCTTCAGAAGCGG 3’ and GAPDH (NM_002046.4) F: 5’ TGCACCACCAACTGCTTAGC 3’ and R: 5’GGCATGGACTGTGGTCATGAG 3’. Each primer was used at a concentration of 0.3 μM in each reaction. Cycling conditions were as follows: step 1, 10 min at 95˚C; step 2, 15 sec at 95˚C; step 3, 30 sec at 55˚C; step 4, 30 sec at 60˚C, repeating from step 2 to step 4 40 times. Data from the reaction were collected and analyzed by the complementary computer software (Sequence Detection Software, Applied Biosystems, Version 1.3). Melting curves were run to confirm specificity of the signal. Relative quantification of gene expression was calculated using standard curves and normalized to GADPH in each sample.

Quantitative differences in cDNA target between samples were assessed by the mathematical model of Pfaffl [32] . An expression ratio was determined for each sample by calculating (Etarget)ΔCt(target)/(EGAPDH)ΔCt(GAPDH), where E is the efficiency of the primer set and ΔCt = Ct (normalization cDNA) − Ct (experimental cDNA). The amplification efficiency of each primer set was calculated from the slope of a standard amplification curve of log (ng cDNA) per reaction vs. Ct value (E = 10 − (1/slope)). Efficiencies of 2 ± 0.1 were considered optimal.

2.6. Statistical Analysis

Mean and standard error (SEM) were calculated and Graph Pad Prism Software (version version 5.0 for Windows, GraphPad Software, San Diego, CA, USA) was used for one-way analysis of variance. Newman-Keuls test was used when differences between more than two groups were compared. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered significant.

3. Results

3.1. Aromatase and ERα and β Expression in Human Testicular Pathologies

Cytoplasmic aromatase immunostaining (Figure 1, Panel A) was detected in Leydig and Sertoli cells from all biopsies studied. The intensity of aromatase immunostaining in Leydig cells was higher in patients with LCH compared with patients without LCH (SCO + LCH vs SCO: 5 fold, p < 0.05; H + LCH vs H: 5.6 fold, p < 0.05). CYP19 mRNA expression clearly showed a significant increase in testicular biopsies from LCH group (independently of whether LCH derived from SCO or H) respect to biopsies without LCH (p < 0.05) (Figure 1, Panel B).

Figure 2 shows the co-localization by immunofluorescence of ERα and ERβ in pathological testicular biopsies. ERα was detected mainly in the cytoplasm of Leydig cells in all biopsies studied. ERα nuclear staining

was observed in some Sertoli cells and germ cells in biopsies from H or H + LCH patients (Figure 2). The intensity of ERα immunostaining in Leydig cells from biopsies with LCH was higher than in biopsies without LCH (SCO + LCH vs SCO: 4 fold, p < 0.05; H + LCH vs H: 5 fold, p < 0.05).

ERβ was observed mainly in the cytoplasm of Leydig cells in all biopsies analyzed (Figure 2). Nuclear immunostanning was detected in some Leydig cells. No immunostaining of ERβ was observed in the seminiferous tubules of biopsies with SCO and LCH + SCO. Low nuclear staining of some Sertoli cells and germ cells was observed in biopsies with H and H+LCH (Figure 2). The intensity of ERβ immunostaining in Leydig cells from biopsies with LCH was higher than in biopsies without LCH (SCO + LCH vs SCO: 2.3 fold, p < 0.05; H + LCH vs H: 7 fold, p < 0.05).

3.2. Immunostaining of PR and PRA and PRB Gene Expression in Testicular Pathologies

Total PR was mainly detected in the cytoplasm Leydig cells of all biopsies studied (Figure 3, Panel A). PR was detected in the nucleus of some germ cells and with a lesser degree in the cytoplasm of Sertoli cells within the seminiferous tubules (Figure 3, Panel A). The intensity of PR immunostaining in Leydig cells was higher in patients with LCH compared with patients without LCH (SCO + LCH vs SCO: 5.2 fold, p < 0.05; H + LCH vs H: 3.8 fold, p < 0.05).

The two isoforms of the PR were measure by real time PCR in pathological testicular biopsies.

PRA and PRB mRNA expression showed a significant increase in testicular biopsies from LCH group, independently of whether LCH derived from SCO or H. (Figure 3, Panel B).

4. Discussion

The relevance of estrogens and progesterone in male reproductive system has been acutely documented [1] [4] . However, the precise role of these hormones in testicular function and the regulation of their biosynthesis is still an issue of research. In this context, aromatase and ERs have been detected not only in testis of normal tissue but also in testicular pathologies [8] [33] - [35] . Besides, estrogens have been involved in cell proliferation even in Leydig cells [36] .

Aromatase has been detected in somatic cells, germ cells and spermatids both in experimental animal models and humans [37] . In the present study, aromatase expression observed by immunohistochemistry was localized in both Leydig and Sertoli cells. Particularly, in Leydig cells of biopsies from patients with LCH the immunostaining of aromatase was higher than in patients with SCO or H without LCH. Furthermore, these results were corroborated by evaluating CYP19 mRNA expression in the biopsies. Lardone et al. [38] have reported that CYP19 mRNA and aromatase activity correlates positively with the Leydig cell number in patients with SCO or Maturation Arrest. Moreover, it has been shown that transgenic mice that over express the aromatase gene (ARO+) present hyperplasia of Leydig cells [39] [40] .

ERα and β were detected in all biopsies studied. Despite some reports have found no ERα immunostaining in human testis [41] [42] , others reports have detected both isoforms of ERs in human testicular pathologies in agreement with the results presented in this study. These discrepancies might be due to the protocol, antibodies used or to the different ER isoforms present in the tissue analyzed [9] . Although ER localization is becoming clear, the physiological functions mediated by each receptor are not well defined. It has been long described that ERs exert their action as transcriptional factors [43] .

However, in all testicular biopsies analyzed, ERα presented a cytoplasmic localization in Leydig cells whereas ERβ presented a cytoplasmic and nuclear localization. These results suggest that ERβ would exert its action via a classical signalling pathway acting as transcription factor. The cytoplasmic localization of ERα prompts us to speculate that this receptor might act in concert with GPR30, the membrane associated ER [44] , as was suggested by Albanito et al. [45] who have reported the presence of a complex interplay between GPR30 and ERα.

In the present study, the immunostaning expression of ERβ was higher than ERα in biopsies which present LCH. In agreement with these results, Kauffman et al. [46] have described that in bladder cancer cell lines ERβ leads to a significant increase in cell proliferation. In this context, Carpino et al. [47] have observed a high expression of ERβ in Leydig cell tumors in humans. However, it has been reported that β ERKO mice present Leydig cell proliferation and αERKO mice only show hypertrophy of these cells [13] . Moreover, Du Mond et al. [48] have reported that estrogens were able to induce the proliferation of TM3 Leydig cells via ERα.

The total PR protein was mainly localized in the cytoplasm of Leydig cells of all testicular pathological biopsies analyzed and with a higher staining observed in the Leydig cells from the LCH groups. Both PRA and PRB gene expression were increased in biopsies with SCO and H with LCH respect to biopsies without LCH. This suggests that Leydig cells are target sites of progesterone action. Although the intratesticular levels of progesterone are unknown, it is plausible that the progesterone synthesized in Leydig cells might act in an autocrine or paracrine manner regulating somatic and spermatogenic cells function.

Recently, Gonzalez et al. [26] have reported that in mouse Leydig cells progesterone induces endoglin, the co-receptor of TGF-β1, leading to cell proliferation. Furthermore, these authors have reported that testicular biopsies with LCH presented an increase in the expression of TGF-β1 and their receptors, particularly ALK1 and endoglin, [27] . The effect that TGF-β1 exerts on the proliferation of Leydig cells depends on the cellular context; i.e., the presence of factors such as the concentration of this cytokine in the cell environment, and more importantly, the type of receptors and co receptors present in the Leydig cells [49] . Taking together these observations we are prompt to speculate that the presence of PR in human Leydig cells might be involved in the proliferation of Leydig cells.

5. Conclusion

Estrogens and progesterone are important in the regulation of the male reproductive tract, with clear evidence pointing to a direct effect on the function of Leydig cells. Both hormones acting in concert with locally produced factors such as growth factors and cytokines could modulate the activity of these cells leading to proliferative responses. However, the mechanisms of action of estrogens and progesterone remain to be clarified and these data open new considerations in the analysis of the testes in physiological and pathophysiological conditions.

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by Grants from Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET, PIP #150), Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Técnica (ANPCyT; PICT #414) and Fundacion Cientifica Felipe Fiorellino.

References

NOTES

^*Corresponding author.