Wuzi-Yanzong-Wan Prevents the Defect of Cell-Cell Junctions between Sertoli-Germ Cells by Up-Regulating the Expression of TAp73.

Background: The TAp73 gene is an anti-cancer gene that also affects the junction between Sertoli and germ cells. Inhibition of this gene causes infertility in male mice. Our previous research proved that Wuzi-Yanzong-Wan (WZYZW) can protect spermatogenesis and maturation by preventing TAp73 inhibition.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of drug-containing serum of WZYZW on the defect of cell-cell junctions in the Sertoli-germ cells co-culture system in vitro.

Methods: LC-HRMS was used to analyze the content of active ingredients in WZYZWmedicated serum. Then, primary extraction and co-culture of germ cells and Sertoli cells were carried out. Co-cultured cells were added with PFT-α to induce the TAp73 inhibition model, with WZYZW-medicated serum at 2.5%, 5%, and 10% treated in parallel. Sloughing of germ cells from Sertoli cells was calculated. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Immunofluorescence, qRT-PCR, and western blot methods were employed.

Results: The drug-containing serum of WZYZW contained schisandrin, hyperoside, geniposidic acid, ellagic acid, and quercetin. Using TEM assay, we observed restoration of the desmosomelike (Des), tight junctions (TJ), and basal ectoplasmic specialization (ES) structure following WZYZW treatment. WZYZW caused inhibition of peptidase and protease inhibitors (tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP1), Serpina3n) by immunofluorescence analysis. Western blot and qRT-PCR analysis revealed that WZYZW was able to ameliorate the expressions of peptidase and protease inhibitors and cell adhesion factors, such as TAp73, TIMP1, Serpina3n, Desmocollin-3, N-cadherin, and Nectin-2.

Conclusion: WZYZW-medicated serum could prevent the defect of cell-cell junctions between Sertoli-germ cells co-culture system in vitro by up-regulating the expression of TAp73.