Vitamin A-deficient Animals Research Articles

Potential roles of gonadotropins to control pulsatile retinoic acid signaling during spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis is a highly regulated process that takes place in the seminiferous tubules of testis. This process initiates at puberty with differentiation of spermatogonia and their meiotic entry. The initiation of spermatogenesis depends on gonadotropins secreted by the pituitary gland; i.e., follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). In the absence of FSH and LH only premeiotic germ cells are present in the testis. The prepubertal development phase in juvenile testis is characterized by a protracted hypogonadotropic state, which only consists of Sertoli and undifferentiated germ cells in the seminiferous epithelium. All germ cells in the juvenile testis are undifferentiated spermatogonia, which are proliferating in a relatively gonadotropin-independent manner. It has been revealed that vitamin A deficient (VAD) animals are also infertile, and only premeiotic germ cells (undifferentiated spermatogonia) are present in their seminiferous tubules. The developmental block in VAD animal can be removed by administration of retinol and germ cell differentiation reinitiates in a synchronous manner. Recent studies have revealed that the biologically active form of vitamin A, retinoic acid (RA), regulates germ cell differentiation and lead to the generation of the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium and normal spermatogenic wave. Recent study has shown that synchronous spermatogenesis at neonatal mouse, but not after initiation of meiosis, can be induced by treating vitamin A sufficient males with RA. The treatment of neonatal males at different ages with exogenous RA has revealed that although RA is sufficient to induce differentiation of spermatogonial at 4dpp and earlier, it fails to alter asynchrony and it does not irreversibly cause a spermatogonial differentiation. These observations led us to suggest that gonadotropins trigger differentiation of spermatogonia and spermatogenesis through regulation of RA signaling in the seminiferous epithelium of the adult testis.

Leukocyte homing, fate, and function are controlled by retinoic acid.

Although vitamin A was recognized as an "anti-infective vitamin" over 90 years ago, the mechanism of how vitamin A regulates immunity is only beginning to be understood. Early studies which focused on the immune responses in vitamin A-deficient (VAD) animals clearly demonstrated compromised immunity and consequently increased susceptibility to infectious disease. The active form of vitamin A, retinoic acid (RA), has been shown to have a profound impact on the homing and differentiation of leukocytes. Both pharmacological and genetic approaches have been applied to the understanding of how RA regulates the development and differentiation of various immune cell subsets, and how RA influences the development of immunity versus tolerance. These studies clearly show that RA profoundly impacts on cell- and humoral-mediated immunity. In this review, the early findings on the complex relationship between VAD and immunity are discussed as well as vitamin A metabolism and signaling within hematopoietic cells. Particular attention is focused on how RA impacts on T-cell lineage commitment and plasticity in various diseases.

Intranasal Administration of Retinyl Palmitate with a Respiratory Virus Vaccine Corrects Impaired Mucosal IgA Response in the Vitamin A-Deficient Host

Our previous studies showed that intranasal vaccination of vitamin A-deficient (VAD) mice failed to induce normal levels of upper respiratory tract IgA, a first line of defense against respiratory virus infection. Here we demonstrate that the impaired responses in VAD animals are corrected by a single intranasal application of retinyl palmitate with the vaccine. Results encourage the clinical testing of intranasal vitamin A supplements to improve protection against respiratory viral disease in VAD populations.

Retinol dehydrogenase 10 is indispensible for spermatogenesis in juvenile males

Retinoic acid (RA), an active vitamin A derivative, is essential for mammalian spermatogenesis. Genetic studies have revealed that oxidation of vitamin A to retinal by retinol dehydrogenase 10 (RDH10) is critical for embryonic RA biosynthesis. However, physiological roles of RDH10 in postnatal RA synthesis remain unclear, given that Rdh10 loss-of-function mutations lead to early embryonic lethality. We conducted in vivo genetic studies of Rdh10 in postnatal mouse testes and found that an RDH10 deficiency in Sertoli cells, but not in germ cells, results in a mild germ cell depletion phenotype. A deficiency of RDH10 in both Sertoli and germ cells in juvenile mice results in a blockage of spermatogonial differentiation, similar to that seen in vitamin A-deficient animals. This defect in spermatogenesis arises from a complete deficiency in juvenile testicular RA synthesis and can be rescued by retinoid administration. Thus, in juvenile mice, the primary, but not exclusive, source of RA in the testes is Sertoli cells. In contrast, adult Rdh10-deficient mice exhibit phenotypically normal spermatogenesis, indicating that during development a change occurs in either the cellular source of RA or the retinaldehyde dehydrogenase involved in RA synthesis.

Retinoic acid regulates the development of a gut-homing precursor for intestinal dendritic cells.

The vitamin A metabolite retinoic acid (RA) regulates intestinal immune responses through immunomodulatory actions on intestinal dendritic cells (DCs) and lymphocytes. Here, we show that retinoic acid also controls the generation of gut-tropic migratory DC precursors, referred to as pre-mucosal DCs (pre-μDCs). Pre-μDCs express the gut trafficking receptor α4β7 and home preferentially to the intestines. They develop in the bone marrow, can differentiate into CCR9+ plasmacytoid DCs as well as conventional DCs (cDCs), but preferentially give rise to CD103+ intestinal cDCs. Generation of pre-μDCs in vivo in the bone marrow or in vitro is regulated by RA and retinoic acid receptor α signaling. The frequency of pre-μDCs is reduced in vitamin A-deficient animals and in animals treated with retinoic acid receptor inhibitors. The results define a novel vitamin A-dependent, retinoic-acid-regulated developmental sequence for dendritic cells and identify a targeted precursor for CD103+ cDCs in the gut.

A close relationship between type 1 diabetes and vitamin A-deficiency and matrix metalloproteinase and hyaluronidase activities in skin tissues

Numerous wrinkles are observed in the skin of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 1 diabetic rats, which are similar to those seen in vitamin A-deficient (VAD) rats. Retinoic acid (RA), the active form of vitamin A, promotes the production of collagen in dermis and induces cell growth and inhibition of epidermal differentiation in skin tissues. Normal skin function is maintained by the extracellular matrix (ECM)-degrading enzymes, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and hyaluronidase (HAase). This study is the first comparison of MMP and HAase activities in skin tissues of type 1 diabetic, VAD and RA-treated animal models. In skin tissues of type 1 diabetic and VAD rats or VAD mice, both MMP-2 and HAase activities increased as compared with controls. In contrast, MMP and HAase activities were reduced in the skin tissues of RA-treated mice. Blood retinol levels in type 1 diabetic rats were lower than controls. These results indicate a close relationship between type 1 diabetes and vitamin A-deficiency on MMP and HAase in skin tissues, suggesting that type 1 diabetic rats could be vitamin A-deficient. Vitamin A-derived RA might be a significant regulator of ECM-degrading enzyme expression and diabetic symptoms.

Vitamin A deficiency alters splenic dendritic cell subsets and increases CD8 +Gr-1 + memory T lymphocytes in C57BL/6J mice

Vitamin A-deficient populations have impaired T cell-dependent antibody responses. Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most proficient antigen-presenting cells to naïve T cells. In the mouse, CD11b + myeloid DCs stimulate T helper (Th) 2 antibody immune responses, while CD8α + lymphoid DCs stimulate Th1 cell-mediated immune responses. Therefore, we hypothesized that vitamin A-deficient animals would have decreased numbers of myeloid DCs and unaffected numbers of lymphoid DCs. We performed dietary depletion of vitamin A in C57BL/6 J male and female mice and used multicolor flow cytometry to quantify immune cell populations of the spleen, with particular focus on DC subpopulations. We show that vitamin A-depleted animals have increased polymorphonuclear neutrophils, lymphoid DCs, and memory CD8 + T cells and decreased CD4 + T lymphocytes. Therefore, vitamin A deficiency alters splenic DC subpopulations, which may contribute to skewed immune responses of vitamin A-deficient populations.

Splenic dendritic cell populations in vitamin A deficient C57BL/6J mice

Vitamin A‐deficient individuals have altered adaptive immunity, showing depressed antibody‐mediated [T helper (Th)2] responses and enhanced cell‐mediated (Th1) responses. In the mouse, myeloid dendritic cells (DCs) and lymphoid DCs are responsible for stimulating Th2 and Th1 responses, respectively. The objective of this research project was to compare the percentage and absolute numbers of DC populations in vitamin A‐sufficient and vitamin A‐deficient uninfected laboratory C57BL/6J mice. The hypothesis was that vitamin A‐deficient animals would have decreased myeloid DCs and increased neutrophils and precursor DCs compared to vitamin A‐sufficient animals. We used dietary restriction to deplete the animals of vitamin A and multicolor flow cytometry to detect and quantify the numbers of immune cell populations from individual mouse spleens. In accordance with our hypothesis, the myeloid DCs are decreased and the neutrophils and precursor DCs are increased in the vitamin A‐deficient animals compared to the vitamin A‐sufficient animals. Therefore, the observed decrease in myeloid DCs in vitamin A‐deficient animals may be the basis for depressed Th2 function in vitamin A‐deficient animals.Grant Funding SourceDepartment of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University

Vitamins as Hormones

Vitamins A and D are the first group of substances that have been reported to exhibit properties of skin hormones, such as organized metabolism, activation, inactivation, and elimination in specialized cells of the tissue, exertion of biological activity, and release in the circulation. Vitamin A and its two important metabolites, retinaldehyde and retinoic acids, are fat-soluble unsaturated isoprenoids necessary for growth, differentiation and maintenance of epithelial tissues, and also for reproduction. In a reversible process, vitamin A is oxidized IN VIVO to give retinaldehyde, which is important for vision. The dramatic effects of vitamin A analogues on embryogenesis have been studied by animal experiments; the clinical malformation pattern in humans is known. Retinoic acids are major oxidative metabolites of vitamin A and can substitute for it in vitamin A-deficient animals in growth promotion and epithelial differentiation. Natural vitamin A metabolites are vitamins, because vitamin A is not synthesized in the body and must be derived from carotenoids in the diet. On the other hand, retinoids are also hormones - with intracrine activity - because retinol is transformed in the cells into molecules that bind to and activate specific nuclear receptors, exhibit their function, and are subsequently inactivated. The mechanisms of action of natural vitamin A metabolites on human skin are based on the time- and dose-dependent influence of morphogenesis, epithelial cell proliferation and differentiation, epithelial and mesenchymal synthetic performance, immune modulation, stimulation of angiogenesis and inhibition of carcinogenesis. As drugs, vitamin A and its natural metabolites have been approved for the topical and systemic treatment of mild to moderate and severe, recalcitrant acne, photoaging and biologic skin aging, acute promyelocytic leukaemia and Kaposi's sarcoma. On the other hand, the critical importance of the skin for the human body's vitamin D endocrine system is documented by the fact that the skin is both the site of vitamin D (3)- and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (3) [1, 25(OH) (2)D (3)]-synthesis and a target organ for 1,25(OH) (2)D (3). 1,25(OH) (2)D (3) is not only essential for mineral homeostasis and bone integrity, but also for numerous further physiologic functions including regulation of growth and differentiation in a broad variety of normal and malignant tissues, including cells derived from prostate, breast and bone. In keratinocytes and other cell types, 1,25(OH) (2)D (3) regulates growth and differentiation. Consequently, vitamin D analogues have been introduced for the treatment of the hyperproliferative skin disease psoriasis. Other newly detected functions of vitamin D analogues include profound effects on the immune system as well as protection against cancer and other diseases, including autoimmune and infectious diseases, in various tissues. Current investigation of the biological effects of vitamin D analogues are likely to lead to new therapeutic applications that, besides cancer prevention, may include the prevention and treatment of infectious as well as of inflammatory skin diseases. This review summarizes existing knowledge on vitamins A and D, the major vitamin-hormones of the skin.

Proteomic analysis of rat plasma by two-dimensional liquid chromatography and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

The proteomic analysis of plasma and serum samples represents a formidable challenge due to the presence of a few highly abundant proteins such as albumin and immunoglobulins. Detection of low abundance protein biomarkers therefore requires either the specific depletion of high abundance proteins using immunoaffinity columns and/or optimized protein fractionation methods based on charge, size or hydrophobicity. Here we describe a two-dimensional (2D) liquid chromatography separation method for the fractionation of rat plasma. In the first dimension proteins were separated by chromatofocusing according to their isoelectric point (p I). In the second dimension, proteins were further fractionated by non-porous, reversed-phase chromatography according to their hydrophobicity. The data from both separations was displayed as a 2D protein expression map of p I versus retention time (relative hydrophobicity). Both separations were carried out on the ProteomeLab PF 2D system (Beckman Coulter), an instrument platform that provides a high degree of automation and real-time monitoring of the separation process. The reproducibility of the first-dimension separation was evaluated in terms of pH gradient formation. The second-dimension separation was evaluated in terms of peak retention times on the reversed-phase column. We found in four consecutive chromatofocusing separations that the pH gradient differed by less than 0.2 pH units at any time during the elution step. Second dimension retention times of peaks from identical p I fractions differed by less than 7 s in six consecutive separations. Each 2D separation generated a total of 540 fractions which were analyzed by matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). We detected approximately 275 peptides and proteins with molecular masses ranging from 3 to 225 kDa. Most fractions were found to contain multiple low and high molecular weight proteins. Differential display of 2D protein expression maps from retinol-sufficient and -deficient rat plasma samples identified a fraction with several proteins that appeared to be down-regulated in the vitamin A-deficient animal. Quantitative proteomic analysis of complex samples such as plasma is still a difficult task. We discuss the potential of this approach for biomarker discovery and address the experimental challenges that remain.

Vitamin A regulation of BMP4 expression in the male germ line

The molecular mechanisms leading to male infertility in vitamin A deficient (VAD) rodents have never been fully elucidated. Here, we report an interaction between BMP4 and retinoid signaling pathways in germ cells that may help clarify the biochemical basis of VAD. Adult germ cells, in particular spermatogonia, expressed BMP4 at both the mRNA and protein levels. BMP4 expression was significantly up-regulated in the testes of VAD mice and was down-regulated in freshly isolated germ cells and VAD testes by retinol, but not retinoic acid. The retinoid-responsive gene, RARβ, was not induced in germ cells following retinoid treatment. Examination of BMP4 promoter usage in spermatogonia and the VAD testis revealed that germ cells utilize the recently characterized BMP4 intron 2 promoter, in addition to the classical 1A and 1B promoters. The observed decrease in BMP4 in response to retinol was mediated by the 1A and intron 2 promoters of the BMP4 gene. Our results reflect a direct requirement for retinoids by germ cells for the resumption of spermatogenesis in VAD animals via mechanisms that involve the suppression of BMP4 expression.

Retinoic Acid and Polyriboinosinic:Polyribocytidylic Acid Stimulate Robust Anti-Tetanus Antibody Production while Differentially Regulating Type 1/Type 2 Cytokines and Lymphocyte Populations

Retinoic acid (RA), a bioactive retinoid, and polyriboinosinic:polyribocytidylic acid (PIC) are known to promote immunity in vitamin A-deficient animals. In this study, we hypothesized that RA, PIC, and the combination can provide significant immunoadjuvant activity even in the vitamin A-adequate state. Six-week-old C57BL/6 mice were immunized with tetanus toxoid (TT) and treated with RA and/or PIC at priming in three independent studies of short and long duration. RA and PIC differentially regulated both primary and secondary anti-TT IgG isotypes, whereas the combination of RA + PIC stimulated the highest level of anti-TT IgG production and, concomitantly, a ratio of IgG1 to IgG2a similar to that of the control group. The regulation of Ab response was strongly associated with type 1/type 2 cytokine gene expression. Whereas RA reduced type 1 cytokines (IFN-gamma and IL-12), PIC enhanced both type 1 and type 2 cytokines (IL-4 and IL-12) and cytokine-related transcription factors. Despite the presence of PIC, the IL-4:IFN-gamma ratio was significantly elevated by RA. In addition, RA and/or PIC modulated NK/NKT cell populations and the level of expression of the costimulatory molecules CD80/CD86, evident 3 days after priming. Notably, the NKT:NK and CD80:CD86 ratios were correlated with the IL-4:IFN-gamma ratio, indicative of multiple converging modes of regulation. Overall, RA, PIC, and RA + PIC rapidly and differentially shaped the anti-tetanus Ig response. The robust, durable, and proportionate increase in all anti-TT IgG isotypes induced by RA + PIC suggests that this combination is promising as a means to enhance the Ab response to TT and similar vaccines.

Retinoid-sensitive steps in steroidogenesis in fetal and neonatal rat testes: in vitro and in vivo studies.

Retinoic acid (RA) was recently shown to modify testosterone secretion of the fetal testis in vitro. We characterized this effect by culturing rat testes explanted at various ages, from Fetal Day 14.5 to Postnatal Day 3. In basal medium, RA inhibited, in a dose-dependent manner, both basal and acute LH-stimulated testosterone secretion by testes explanted on Fetal Days 14.5, 15.5, and 16.5. It had no effect on testes from older animals. The negative effect of RA did not result from a diminution in the number of Leydig cells but from a decrease in P450c17 mRNA levels and in LH-stimulated cAMP production. However, the RA-induced decrease in P450C17 mRNA levels was also observed with neonatal testes, suggesting that this enzymatic step is no longer rate limiting at this developmental stage. To study the physiological relevance of RA effects, we used fetuses and neonates issued from mothers fed a vitamin A-deficient (VAD) diet, resulting in a threefold decrease of plasma retinol concentration. On Fetal Day 18.5 and on Posnatal Day 3, testosterone secretion by the testis ex vivo was significantly increased in VAD animals. This shows that the endogenous retinol inhibits differentiation and/or function of fetal Leydig cells before Fetal Day 18.5 and is required for the normal regression of fetal Leydig cell function that occurs after Fetal Day 18.5. In conclusion, our results show that retinoids play a negative role on the steroidogenic activity during the differentiation of rat fetal Leydig cells.

244.Interaction between bone morphogenetic protein 4 and retinoid signalling in mouse spermatogenesis

Vitamin A (retinol, or ROL) is also essential for normal spermatogenesis in the rat and mouse. Vitamin A-deficient (VAD) rodents suffer various disorders including blindness and male infertility. The molecular mechanisms leading to infertility in vitamin A deficient rodents have never been fully elucidated. Following prolonged vitamin A withdrawal the only germ cells remaining in the VAD rodent testis are stem cell spermatogonia, type A1 spermatogonia, and a few preleptotene spermatocytes. Supplementing the diet of these animals with retinoic acid (RA) alleviates all symptoms of vitamin A deficiency, with the exception of sight and spermatogenesis. It is not until VAD animals are re-administered ROL through the diet, or RA is injected in repeated high doses directly into the testis, that normal spermatogenic function is restored. Here we report an interaction, in germ cells, between the Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) 4 and retinoid signalling pathways that may help explain the molecular mechanics of vitamin A deficiency. We localised BMP4 gene expression to adult germ cells, in particular spermatogonia, at both the mRNA and protein level. We generated VAD mice and found that in the absence of retinoids in vivo, bmp4 gene expression was significantly upregulated in the testis. We also observed that the expression of bmp4 is downregulated by retinoid treatment in germ cells isolated from vitamin A sufficient mice. Expression of bmp4 mRNA in isolated spermatogonia was more sensitive to ROL rather than RA. Our results may reflect a direct requirement for ROL by germ cells for the resumption of spermatogenesis in VAD animals that involves the regulation of BMP4 expression. Furthermore our observations suggest that retinoid signalling in germ cells is different to that observed in somatic cells, and may provide insights into the role of retinoids in spermatogenesis.

Hydrolysis of 4-HPR to atRA occurs in vivo but is not required for retinamide-induced apoptosis

The retinamide, N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide (4-HPR), has shown promising anti-tumor activity, but it is unclear whether this compound is hydrolyzed to all- trans retinoic acid (atRA) and if so, whether this plays any role in its chemotherapeutic activity. To address this issue, the ability of 4-hydroxybenzylretinone (4-HBR), a carbon-linked analog of 4-HPR, to support growth in vitamin A-deficient (VAD) animals and to activate an atRA-responsive gene in vivo was compared to 4-HPR and atRA. Further, the non-hydrolyzable 4-HBR analog was used to determine whether the presence of the labile amide linkage in 4-HPR is essential for the induction of apoptosis in cultured MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Studies in VAD rats showed that 4-HPR, like atRA, supports animal growth and induces CYP26B1 mRNA expression in lung whereas 4-HBR does not. Analysis of plasma from 4-HPR- and atRA-treated VAD animals revealed the presence of atRA whereas it was not detected in plasma from animals given 4-HBR. To determine whether hydrolysis to atRA is necessary for apoptosis induced by 4-HPR in MCF-7 breast cancer cells, morphological and biochemical assays for apoptosis were performed. 4-HBR, like 4-HPR, induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells. Apoptosis was not induced even at high concentrations of atRA, showing that 4-HPR and 4-HBR act in cells via a distinct signaling pathway. These results show that although limited hydrolysis of 4-HPR occurs in vivo, the ability to liberate atRA is not required for these 4-hydroxyphenyl retinoids to induce apoptosis in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Thus the non-hydrolyzable analog, 4-HBR, may have significant therapeutic advantage over 4-HPR because it does not liberate atRA that can contribute to the adverse side effects of drug administration in vivo.

Retinoid Production and Catabolism: Role of Diet in Regulating Retinol Esterification and Retinoic Acid Oxidation

Retinoic acid (RA), a transcriptionally active metabolite of vitamin A (retinol), activates two families of nuclear retinoid receptors that have the potential to regulate the expression of a large number of genes. Although it may be presumed that the concentration of RA is closely regulated, the mechanisms underlying such regulation are not well understood. Our research has examined the expression and function of two enzymes, lecithin:retinol acyltransferase (LRAT) and a cytochrome P450, CYP26, in the liver and lung of rats and mice, over a wide range of vitamin A status or after treatment of vitamin A-deficient animals with exogenous RA. LRAT expression at both the mRNA and protein activity levels and CYP26 mRNA are regulated by dietary vitamin A in a steady-state model and are acutely regulated by RA in an acute repletion model. In the liver, the level of expression of LRAT and CYP26 is as follows: vitamin A deficient < vitamin A marginal < vitamin A adequate < vitamin A supplemented < RA treated. The regulation of LRAT shows strong tissue specificity (highly regulated in liver and lung but not in small intestine), whereas CYP26 is strongly regulated in the liver, lung, testis and intestine. RA may function as a signal of the body's vitamin A adequacy. The regulated expression of LRAT, CYP26 and other genes by RA may provide a sensitive response mechanism that overall serves to adjust the metabolism of vitamin A to maintain retinoid homeostasis and prevent retinoid excess.

Hematopoiesis and Retinoids: Development and Disease

Retinoids function as activating ligands for a class of nuclear receptors that control gene expression programs for a wide range of tissues and organs during embryogenesis and throughout life. Over the years, three sets of observations have spurred interest in the function of retinoids with respect to development and disease of hematopoietic cells. Since the 1920s, epidemiological studies indicated altered hematopoiesis in vitamin A-deficient (VAD) human populations. More recently, the ability of retinoids to affect various aspects of hematopoietic development has been demonstrated in vitro. Finally, it was discovered that the gene encoding a retinoid receptor is a key target for chromosomal translocations that cause acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). More recent investigations using targeted gene disruptions, VAD animal models, and mouse models of leukemia have continued to shed light on the function of the retinoid pathway in blood cells. It is now clear that retinoids are required for normal hematopoiesis during both yolk sac and fetal liver stages of hematopoiesis, while the pathway has at least modulatory functions for bone marrow derived progenitors. Studies of normal development and APL have provided complementary insight into the molecular control of blood cell differentiation. Here we review the evidence for retinoid requirements in hematopoiesis and also summarize current ideas regarding how this pathway is subverted in leukemia.

Biological Activity and Enrichment of Spermatogonial Stem Cells in Vitamin A-Deficient and Hyperthermia-Exposed Testes from Mice Based on Colonization Following Germ Cell Transplantation1

Spermatogenesis is a complex process in which spermatogonial stem cells divide and subsequently differentiate into spermatozoa. This process requires spermatogonial stem cells to self-renew and provide a continual population of cells for differentiation. Studies on spermatogonial stem cells have been limited due to a lack of unique markers and an inability to detect the presence of these cells. The technique of germ cell transplantation provides a functional assay to identify spermatogonial stem cells in a cell population. We hypothesized that vitamin A-deficient (VAD) and hyperthermically treated testes would provide an enriched in vivo source of spermatogonial stem cells. The first model, hyperthermic treatment, depends on the sensitivity of maturing germ cells to high temperatures. Testes of adult mice were exposed to 43 degrees C for 15 min to eliminate the majority of differentiating germ cells. Treated donor testes were 50% of normal adult testis size and, when transplanted into recipients, resulted in a 5.3- and 19-fold (colonies and area, respectively) increase in colonization efficiency compared to controls. The second model, VAD animals, also lacked differentiating germ cells, and testes weights were 25% of control values. Colonization efficiency of germ cells from VAD testes resulted in a 2.5- and 6.2-fold (colonies and area, respectively) increase in colonization compared to controls. Hyperthermically treated mice represent an enriched source of spermatogonial stem cells. In contrast, the low extent of colonization with germ cells from VAD animals raises important questions regarding the competency of stem cells from this model.

Effect of vitamin A deficiency on cardiovascular function in the rat

Selected parameters of cardiovascular function were evaluated in vitamin A-deficient rats at 70 days of age. Resting heart rate was increased by an average of 100 bpm (21.4+/-2.7%), whereas resting systolic blood pressure was normal in vitamin A-deficient animals. The maximal contractile force developed per milligram weight of tissue by aortic rings excised from vitamin A-deficient animals was reduced in response to high potassium (-25.0+/-8.7%) and phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (-36.8+/-8.4%) but was only slightly reduced in response to norepinephrine (-17.8+/-11.1%). Intimal rubbing to remove the endothelium had no effect on the loss in contractile responsiveness, and the relaxant response to acetylcholine was similar between control and vitamin A-deficient tissue groups. This suggests that the decrease in contractility of vascular smooth muscle from the vitamin A-deficient rats did not involve altered release of endothelium-derived vasoactive factors. Western blot analysis suggested a reduction in the protein levels of several differentiation markers including alpha-actin (-22%), calponin (-37%), desmin (-37%), and vinculin (-40%), whereas the level of PKCalpha was unchanged from control values. Our findings indicate a significant decrease in contractile responsiveness of aortic smooth muscle of the vitamin A-deficient rat that may be associated with a down regulation in the expression of contractile-related proteins.

All-trans-retinoic acid and polyriboinosinic : polyribocytidylic acid in combination potentiate specific antibody production and cell-mediated immunity.

Retinoic acid (RA), an active metabolite of vitamin A, may synergize with interferons (IFN) to evoke a heightened immune response, suggesting combination therapy as a promising treatment for various cancers. Recently, we demonstrated a strong synergism between RA and polyriboinosinic : polyribocytidylic acid (PIC), an inducer of IFN, on antibody production in immunocompromised vitamin A-deficient animals. In the present study, we examined whether this combination could potentiate T-cell-dependent antibody production in non-immunocompromised rats. Forty male Lewis rats were treated with 100 microg all-trans-RA, 20 microg PIC, or the combination in either an 11-d study to evaluate antibody production, changes in lymphocyte populations, and cell proliferation, or a 21-hr study to evaluate early changes in lymphocyte populations and gene expression. The combination of RA + PIC significantly potentiated anti-tetanus IgG levels (P < 0.002). Similarly, this combination also increased the numbers of B cells and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II+ cells in spleen and lymph nodes, and natural killer (NK) cells in spleen and blood (P < 0.05). RA + PIC-treated rats had significantly higher levels of interleukin (IL)-10, IL-12, and signal transducer and activator of transcription-1 (STAT-1) mRNA (P < 0.05), and STAT-1 protein (P < 0.02). Treatments administered in vivo significantly modulated T-cell proliferation to anti-CD3/phorbol myristyl acetate + IFN-alpha ex vivo. These changes in antibody production, cell distribution, cytokine gene expression, and T-cell proliferation suggest that the combination of RA + PIC stimulates humoral and cell-mediated immunity, and deserves further testing in models of cancer chemoprevention in vivo.