Genome-wide alternation and effect of DNA methylation in the impairments of steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis after PM2.5 exposure

Bibliographic Details
Title: Genome-wide alternation and effect of DNA methylation in the impairments of steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis after PM2.5 exposure
Authors: Zhonghao Zhang, Jiankang Wang, Fuquan Shi, Yingqing Li, Peng Zou, Ying Tang, Chang Liu, Yimeng Wang, Xi Ling, Lei Sun, Cuiqing Liu, Yanshu Zhang, Fei Gao, Qing Chen, Lin Ao, Fei Han, Jinyi Liu, Jia Cao
Source: Environment International, Vol 169, Iss , Pp 107544- (2022)
Publisher Information: Elsevier, 2022.
Publication Year: 2022
Collection: LCC:Environmental sciences
Subject Terms: Male reproductive system, DNA methylome, PM2.5, Spermatogenesis, Environmental sciences, GE1-350
More Details: The effects of ambient fine particles on male reproductive health have raised widespread concern. The particular underlying mechanisms of the damage remain largely unclear and demand more research in new directions. Previous research has revealed that DNA methylation plays an important role in male reproductive development and is also vulnerable to environmental influences. However, there hasn't been enough investigation into the involvement of DNA methylation in PM2.5-induced male reproductive toxicity. Here, we establish a real-time PM2.5 exposure model and revealed that PM2.5 exposure could lead to testicular dysfunction including spermatogenesis impairment and steroid hormone dysfunction. In particular, the decrease in the testicular global level of 5-methylcytosine (5mC) indicated a possible association of DNA methylation with testicular injury induced by PM2.5 exposure. Further genome-wide methylation analysis revealed genomic hypomethylation of testicular DNA and identified more than 1000 differentially methylated regions in both CAP and UA versus FA, indicating that PM2.5 exposure, even low-dose, could modulate the testicular methylome. Furthermore, integrated analysis of methylome and transcriptome identified some key methylated genes and networks, which may be involved in spermatogenesis and synthesis of steroid hormone. The testicular methylation levels of key genes especially Cyp11a1 and Pax8 raised, and their consequent reduced expression may impair the testosterone and sperm production process. Our research provides fundamental knowledge as well as novel insights into the possible involvement of DNA methylation in PM2.5-induced male reproductive harm.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 0160-4120
Relation: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412022004718; https://doaj.org/toc/0160-4120
DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107544
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/d1d1142d15774869a2ddd897165f3219
Accession Number: edsdoj.1d1142d15774869a2ddd897165f3219
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
More Details
ISSN:01604120
DOI:10.1016/j.envint.2022.107544
Published in:Environment International
Language:English