Cellular Aspects of Testicular Aging

A special issue of Cells (ISSN 2073-4409). This special issue belongs to the section "Cellular Aging".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2022) | Viewed by 9301

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Ludwig-Maximilian University Munich (LMU), Biomedical Center (BMC) Munich; Cell Biology, Anatomy III, D-82152 Planegg, Germany
Interests: testis; ovary; peritubular cells; granulosa cells; granulosa cell tumor
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E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Ludwig-Maximilian University Munich (LMU), Biomedical Center (BMC) Munich; Cell Biology, Anatomy III, D-82152 Planegg, Germany
Interests: senescence; testicular aging; cellular model; epigenetics; inflammation; mammalian model; aging germ cells; testicular cells; environmental and endogenous stressors; mitochondrial change and damage

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Ludwig-Maximilian University Munich (LMU), Biomedical Center (BMC) Munich; Cell Biology, Anatomy III, D-82152 Planegg, Germany

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The testis contains stem cells which can fuel life-long spermatogenesis. It is indeed assumed that the testis is able to perform its functions from puberty to the death of an individual. However, it is becoming clear that like all organs of the body, the male gonad also undergoes changes with increasing age, which result in a reduction of its functionality. The advanced age of a father may also have consequences for the offspring. Studies in short-lived animal models are providing important insights into the consequences of testis aging. Yet, in long-lived species, normally occurring changes are difficult to separate from confounding influences. They therefore remain rather challenging to assess.

The purpose of this Special Issue is to cover recent findings about the process and the consequences of testicular aging, including structural and functional changes. We invite all scientists working on the different aspects of aging of the male gonad, particularly aging of its cells (germ cells, somatic cells (including immune cells)) to participate in this Special Issue. Original research articles, reviews, or shorter perspective articles are welcome. Articles with insights from a cellular and molecular biological perspective of mammalian species are especially welcome.

Prof. Dr. Artur Mayerhofer
Dr. Nina Schmid
Dr. Harald Welter
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • testis
  • aging
  • germ cells
  • Leydig cells
  • Sertoli cells
  • peritubular cells
  • immune cells
  • structure
  • epigenetics

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 2471 KiB  
Article
Age-Related Alterations in the Testicular Proteome of a Non-Human Primate
by Jan B. Stöckl, Nina Schmid, Florian Flenkenthaler, Charis Drummer, Rüdiger Behr, Artur Mayerhofer, Georg J. Arnold and Thomas Fröhlich
Cells 2021, 10(6), 1306; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10061306 - 24 May 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3136
Abstract
Aging of human testis and associated cellular changes is difficult to assess. Therefore, we used a translational, non-human primate model to get insights into underlying cellular and biochemical processes. Using proteomics and immunohistochemistry, we analyzed testicular tissue of young (age 2 to 3) [...] Read more.
Aging of human testis and associated cellular changes is difficult to assess. Therefore, we used a translational, non-human primate model to get insights into underlying cellular and biochemical processes. Using proteomics and immunohistochemistry, we analyzed testicular tissue of young (age 2 to 3) and old (age 10 to 12) common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus). Using a mass spectrometry-based proteomics approach, we identified 63,124 peptides, which could be assigned to 5924 proteins. Among them, we found proteins specific for germ cells and somatic cells, such as Leydig and Sertoli cells. Quantitative analysis showed 31 differentially abundant proteins, of which 29 proteins were more abundant in older animals. An increased abundance of anti-proliferative proteins, among them CDKN2A, indicate reduced cell proliferation in old testes. Additionally, an increased abundance of several small leucine rich repeat proteoglycans and other extracellular matrix proteins was observed, which may be related to impaired cell migration and fibrotic events. Furthermore, an increased abundance of proteins with inhibitory roles in smooth muscle cell contraction like CNN1 indicates functional alterations in testicular peritubular cells and may mirror a reduced capacity of these cells to contract in old testes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cellular Aspects of Testicular Aging)
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Review

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27 pages, 3413 KiB  
Review
Hallmarks of Testicular Aging: The Challenge of Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Therapies Using Natural and/or Pharmacological Compounds to Improve the Physiopathological Status of the Aged Male Gonad
by María Eugenia Matzkin, Ricardo Saúl Calandra, Soledad Paola Rossi, Andrzej Bartke and Mónica Beatriz Frungieri
Cells 2021, 10(11), 3114; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10113114 - 10 Nov 2021
Cited by 35 | Viewed by 5445
Abstract
The evolutionary theory of aging supports a trade-off relationship between reproduction and aging. Aging of the male reproductive system primarily affects the testes, leading to a decrease in the levels of sexual hormones, alterations in sperm quality and production, and a decline in [...] Read more.
The evolutionary theory of aging supports a trade-off relationship between reproduction and aging. Aging of the male reproductive system primarily affects the testes, leading to a decrease in the levels of sexual hormones, alterations in sperm quality and production, and a decline in fertility that does not necessarily involve a complete cessation of spermatogenesis. Inflammation, oxidation, and apoptosis are events considered as predictors of pathogenesis and the development of age-related diseases that are frequently observed in aged testes. Although the molecular mechanisms are still poorly understood, accumulating evidence points toward pro-inflammatory molecules and reactive oxygen species as primary contributing factors for testicular aging. However, the real impact of aging-related testicular alterations on fertility, reproductive health, and life span is far from being fully revealed. This work discusses the current knowledge on the impact of aging in the testis, particularly of aging-related dysregulated inflammation and oxidative damage on the functioning of its different cell populations. More interestingly, this review covers the potential benefits of anti-aging interventions and therapies using either pharmacological compounds (such as non-selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication) or more natural alternatives (such as various nutraceuticals or even probiotics) that exhibit anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic properties. Some of these are currently being investigated or are already in clinical use to delay or prevent testicular aging. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cellular Aspects of Testicular Aging)
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