Proteomic Analysis of Testicular Interstitial Fluid in Men with Azoospermia

I-Shen Huang; Li-Hua Li; Wei-Jen Chen; Eric Yi-Hsiu Huang; Chi-Chang Juan; William J. Huang

European Urology Open Science (Aug 2023)

Proteomic Analysis of Testicular Interstitial Fluid in Men with Azoospermia

I-Shen Huang,
Li-Hua Li,
Wei-Jen Chen,
Eric Yi-Hsiu Huang,
Chi-Chang Juan,
William J. Huang

Affiliations

I-Shen Huang: Department of Urology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Urology, College of Medicine and Shu-Tien Urological Science Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
Li-Hua Li: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; School of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
Wei-Jen Chen: Department of Urology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Urology, College of Medicine and Shu-Tien Urological Science Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
Eric Yi-Hsiu Huang: Department of Urology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Urology, College of Medicine and Shu-Tien Urological Science Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
Chi-Chang Juan: Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan; Corresponding authors. Department of Urology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, No 201, Section 2, Shipai Rd, Taipei 112, Taiwan, ROC. Tel. +886-2-2875-7519; Fax: +886-2-2875-7540 (W.J. Huang); Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan. Tel. +886-2-2826-7802; Fax: +886-2-2826-4049 (C.-C. Juan).
William J. Huang: Department of Urology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Urology, College of Medicine and Shu-Tien Urological Science Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan; Corresponding authors. Department of Urology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, No 201, Section 2, Shipai Rd, Taipei 112, Taiwan, ROC. Tel. +886-2-2875-7519; Fax: +886-2-2875-7540 (W.J. Huang); Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan. Tel. +886-2-2826-7802; Fax: +886-2-2826-4049 (C.-C. Juan).

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 54
pp. 88 – 96

Abstract

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Background: The primary microenvironment of the testis comprises testicular interstitial fluid (TIF) surrounding the seminiferous tubules and testicular interstitial tissue. The pathological alterations of germ and Sertoli cells could affect the TIF composition and might contain putative biomarkers for monitoring active spermatogenesis. Objective: We identified differentially expressed proteins in the TIF of patients with obstructive (OA) or nonobstructive (NOA) azoospermia to elucidate the underlying etiology of defective spermatogenesis. Design, setting, and participants: We prospectively enrolled nine patients, including three men with OA and six with NOA with (n = 3) and without (n = 3) successful sperm retrieval. Their TIF was collected during the testicular sperm extraction procedure. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: TIF was analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to identify differentially expressed proteins specific to OA and NOA with or without successful sperm retrieval. The dysregulated protein was further validated using Western blotting. Results and limitations: Among the 555 TIF proteins identified in NOA patients, 14 were downregulated relative to OA patients. These proteins participate in biological processes such as proteolysis, complement activation, and immune responses; complement and coagulation cascade pathways were also enriched. Furthermore, 68 proteins with significantly higher levels were identified in the TIF of NOA patients with successful sperm retrieval than in those with failed sperm retrieval; these are mainly implicated in oxidation-reduction processes. The expression of calreticulin, which can distinguish successful and failed testicular sperm retrieval in the NOA group, was validated by Western blotting. Conclusions: We provide the first scientific evaluation of TIF protein composition in men with azoospermia. These findings will help identify the physiological and pathological roles of each protein in regulating sperm production. Thus, our study underscores the potential of TIF in sperm retrieval biomarker discovery and would serve as a foundation for further studies to improve treatment strategies against azoospermia. Patient summary: Using a proteomic approach, we identified and analyzed the total protein content of testicular interstitial fluid in humans with defective spermatogenesis for the first time and discovered altered protein expression patterns in patients with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA). Proteins related to oxidation-reduction processes were upregulated in NOA patients with successful sperm retrieval compared with those with failed sperm retrieval. This can aid the development of novel diagnostic tools for successful testicular sperm retrieval.

Published in European Urology Open Science

ISSN: 2666-1683 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Specialties of internal medicine: Diseases of the genitourinary system. Urology; Medicine: Internal medicine: Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology. Including cancer and carcinogens
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/european-urology-open-science

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