Pro-inflammatory cytokines and microRNAs in male infertility

Hana Attia,Raffaella Lazzarini,Giancarlo Balercia,Meriem Mehdi,Monia Orciani,Ines Zidi Jrah,Monica Mattioli Belmonte,Federica Finocchi

doi:10.1007/s11033-021-06593-6

Abstract

BackgroundMale infertility is a problem that affects 10–15% of men of reproductive age. In particular, gametogenesis is a complex process in which inflammation may play a central role through the secretion of cytokines and the expression of microRNAs. We assessed the potential role of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1α) and microRNAs (miR-146a-5p, miR-34a-5p and miR-23a-3p) in the seminal plasma of infertile men compared to controls, evaluating their correlation with seminal and biochemical parameters.Methods and resultsExpression of cytokines and microRNAs was analyzed by ELISA and q-PCR. Our data shows that IL-1α was significantly increased in the azoospermic group compared to controls, TNF-α mRNA was more expressed in the oligozoospermic group than controls. There were no significant differences in miRNAs expression among the three groups. The correlations between sperm parameters and inflammatory markers were evaluated, however no significance was highlighted.ConclusionsThe determination of each inflammatory marker separately in the seminal plasma of subfertile men, despite some significant differences, does not have a diagnostic value in male infertility even if an assay of selective pro-inflammatory cytokines and microRNAs in the semen may improve the diagnosis of male infertility.

Highlights

Spermatogenesis is a very complex, highly organized process and its disruption may lead to male infertility
We aimed to evaluate the gene expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α) and miRNAs and the protein expression of IL-1α both in infertile patients and controls, to clarify their interdependent relationship and their role in the etiopathology of male infertility
Since the seminal fluid is consisting of the different secretions coming from the testis, epididymis, prostate and accessory glands, it is difficult to identify the direct origins of the cytokines and miRNAs analyzed

Summary

Introduction

Spermatogenesis is a very complex, highly organized process and its disruption may lead to male infertility. The miR-23 family (miR‐23a, b, and c) is strongly reduced in nemaspermic cell and seminal plasma exosomes of subfertile vs fertile men. Gametogenesis is a complex process in which inflammation may play a central role through the secretion of cytokines and the expression of microRNAs. We assessed the potential role of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1α) and microRNAs (miR-146a-5p, miR-34a-5p and miR-23a-3p) in the seminal plasma of infertile men compared to controls, evaluating their correlation with seminal and biochemical parameters. Conclusions The determination of each inflammatory marker separately in the seminal plasma of subfertile men, despite some significant differences, does not have a diagnostic value in male infertility even if an assay of selective pro-inflammatory cytokines and microRNAs in the semen may improve the diagnosis of male infertility

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