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Indian Journal of Dermatology,... 2023
Topics: Female; Humans; Vulva; Skin Abnormalities
PubMed: 35841352
DOI: 10.25259/IJDVL_369_2021 -
PLoS Biology Feb 2022In this issue of PLOS Biology, Lattmann and colleagues report a new function for proteins of the DNA prereplication complex promoting the anchor cell to invade through...
In this issue of PLOS Biology, Lattmann and colleagues report a new function for proteins of the DNA prereplication complex promoting the anchor cell to invade through the basement membrane and initiate vulval development in Caenorhabditis elegans.
Topics: Animals; Caenorhabditis elegans; Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; Chromosomes; Female; Vulva
PubMed: 35196311
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001549 -
PLoS Genetics Jun 2020Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are signalling molecules whose study in intact organisms has been hampered by their potential toxicity. This has prevented a full...
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are signalling molecules whose study in intact organisms has been hampered by their potential toxicity. This has prevented a full understanding of their role in organismal processes such as development, aging and disease. In Caenorhabditis elegans, the development of the vulva is regulated by a signalling cascade that includes LET-60ras (homologue of mammalian Ras), MPK-1 (ERK1/2) and LIN-1 (an ETS transcription factor). We show that both mitochondrial and cytoplasmic ROS act on a gain-of-function (gf) mutant of the LET-60ras protein through a redox-sensitive cysteine (C118) previously identified in mammals. We show that the prooxidant paraquat as well as isp-1, nuo-6 and sod-2 mutants, which increase mitochondrial ROS, inhibit the activity of LET-60rasgf on vulval development. In contrast, the antioxidant NAC and loss of sod-1, both of which decrease cytoplasmic H202, enhance the activity of LET-60rasgf. CRISPR replacement of C118 with a non-oxidizable serine (C118S) stimulates LET-60rasgf activity, whereas replacement of C118 with aspartate (C118D), which mimics a strongly oxidised cysteine, inhibits LET-60rasgf. These data strongly suggest that C118 is oxidized by cytoplasmic H202 generated from dismutation of mitochondrial and/or cytoplasmic superoxide, and that this oxidation inhibits LET-60ras. This contrasts with results in cultured mammalian cells where it is mostly nitric oxide, which is not found in worms, that oxidizes C118 and activates Ras. Interestingly, PQ, NAC and the C118S mutation do not act on the phosphorylation of MPK-1, suggesting that oxidation of LET-60ras acts on an as yet uncharacterized MPK-1-independent pathway. We also show that elevated cytoplasmic superoxide promotes vulva formation independently of C118 of LET-60ras and downstream of LIN-1. Finally, we uncover a role for the NADPH oxidases (BLI-3 and DUOX-2) and their redox-sensitive activator CED-10rac in stimulating vulva development. Thus, there are at least three genetically separable pathways by which ROS regulates vulval development.
Topics: Animals; Animals, Genetically Modified; Caenorhabditis elegans; Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; Female; Gain of Function Mutation; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; Genes, Helminth; Oxidation-Reduction; Oxidoreductases; Peroxides; Signal Transduction; Transcription Factors; Vulva; rac GTP-Binding Proteins; ras Proteins
PubMed: 32544191
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008838 -
International Journal of Women's... Jun 2023
PubMed: 37025661
DOI: 10.1097/JW9.0000000000000081 -
American Journal of Obstetrics and... Aug 2023
Topics: Female; Humans; Herpes Zoster; Herpesvirus 3, Human; Vulva
PubMed: 36828295
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2023.02.013 -
International Urogynecology Journal Sep 2022
Topics: Clitoris; Epidermal Cyst; Female; Humans; Postpartum Period; Vulvar Diseases
PubMed: 35380211
DOI: 10.1007/s00192-022-05177-7 -
Oxidative Medicine and Cellular... 2021Sex is a science of cutting edge but bathed in mystery. Coitus or sexual intercourse, which is at the core of sexual activities, requires healthy and functioning vessels... (Review)
Review
Sex is a science of cutting edge but bathed in mystery. Coitus or sexual intercourse, which is at the core of sexual activities, requires healthy and functioning vessels to supply the pelvic region, thus contributing to clitoris erection and vaginal lubrication in female and penile erection in male. It is well known that nitric oxide (NO) is the main gas mediator of penile and clitoris erection. In addition, the lightest and diffusible gas molecule hydrogen (H) has been shown to improve erectile dysfunction (ED), testis injuries, sperm motility in male, preserve ovarian function, protect against uterine inflammation, preeclampsia, and breast cancer in female. Mechanistically, H has strong abilities to attenuate excessive oxidative stress by selectively reducing cytotoxic oxygen radicals, modulate immunity and inflammation, and inhibit injuries-induced cell death. Therefore, H is a novel bioactive gas molecule involved in modulating sexual organs homeostasis.
Topics: Antioxidants; Clitoris; Erectile Dysfunction; Female; Homeostasis; Humans; Hydrogen; Male; Oxidative Stress; Penile Erection; Penis; Sperm Motility; Testis; Vagina
PubMed: 33510842
DOI: 10.1155/2021/8844346 -
Journal of the American Academy of... Oct 2023
Topics: Female; Humans; Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus; Vitiligo; Lichen Sclerosus et Atrophicus; Vulva; Hypopigmentation; Vulvar Neoplasms; Vulvar Diseases
PubMed: 37328003
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2023.06.016 -
Urology Mar 2023To test the hypothesis that genital skin and male urethra affected by lichen sclerosus (LS) has increased collagen content and altered collagen structure.
OBJECTIVE
To test the hypothesis that genital skin and male urethra affected by lichen sclerosus (LS) has increased collagen content and altered collagen structure.
METHODS
We used picrosirius red to stain and image collagen in human urethral, vulvar, and foreskin specimens with and without LS. Using Image J software, we quantified and compared (1) collagen content (using 2o metrics: collagen proportionate area [CPA] and collagen fiber count), (2) collagen fiber length and width, and (3) collagen structure using the texture analysis technique gray level co-localization matrix (GLCM) with respect to LS status and tissue type.
RESULTS
We analyzed 23 LS specimens (vulva n=9, urethra n=7, foreskin n=7) and 29 non-LS specimens (vulva n=9, urethra n=7, foreskin n=13). Fiber count and CPA were significantly higher in all LS specimens compared to non-LS specimens (CPA: mean±SD 0.971±0.03 vs 0.948±0.02, P < .007; fiber count: mean±SD = 2906±127 vs 2509±78 fibers; P = .003). Collagen fiber width and length were similar with respect to LS status. GLCM analysis showed decreased inverse difference moment and increased entropy in LS tissues indicative of less homogeneous and more disorganized tissue structure (P<.001).
CONCLUSION
LS tissues have greater collagen content compared to non-LS tissues. Quantitative assessment of collagen organization, using GLCM, revealed less homogeneity and more disorganization of collagen in LS compared to non-LS tissues. Taken together, our findings suggest that alterations in physical tissue properties seen in LS may be due to both increased collagen abundance and altered structure.
Topics: Female; Male; Humans; Lichen Sclerosus et Atrophicus; Vulva; Collagen; Skin; Extracellular Matrix
PubMed: 36509210
DOI: 10.1016/j.urology.2022.11.036 -
Journal of Anatomy Feb 2021The clitoris is a leading player in female sexual arousal, if not the main protagonist. Despite this role, studies performed on this structure with specific...
The clitoris is a leading player in female sexual arousal, if not the main protagonist. Despite this role, studies performed on this structure with specific neuroanatomical techniques are few. This study focuses on glans clitoris innervation, with special emphasis on sensory corpuscles and the presence of the mechanotransducer protein PIEZO2 in these structures. Six glans clitoris samples were obtained at autopsy covering an age spectrum between 52 and 83 years old. Several types of nerve terminations including free nerve endings, genital endbulbs as well as Meissner-like corpuscles and Pacinian corpuscles, but not Ruffini corpuscles, were found. Although corpuscular morphology in the glans clitoris was subtly different from the cutaneous digital counterparts, their basic composition was comparable for both Pacinian and Meissner-like corpuscles. Genital endbulbs showed heterogeneous morphology, and the axons usually exhibited a typical "wool ball" or "yarn ball" aspect. Some of them were lobulated and variably encapsulated by endoneurial elements (65%); from the capsule originate septa that divides the genital endbulbs, suggesting that they are found in clusters rather than as single corpuscles. In addition, most corpuscles in the glans clitoris showed axonal PIEZO2 immunoreactivity, thus, suggesting a mechanical role and molecular mechanisms of mechanosensibility similar to those of digital Meissner's corpuscles. Our results demonstrate that sensory corpuscles of the glans clitoris are similar to those of other glabrous skin zones, as most genital organs are characterized by clusters of corpuscles and the occurrence of the mechanoprotein PIEZO2 in the axons. These findings strongly suggest that PIEZO2 participates in erotic and sexual mechanical sensing.
Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Clitoris; Female; Humans; Ion Channels; Mechanoreceptors; Mechanotransduction, Cellular; Middle Aged
PubMed: 32996126
DOI: 10.1111/joa.13317