Molecular signatures of epithelial oviduct cells of a laying hen (Gallus gallus domesticus) and quail (Coturnix japonica)

Abstract

BackgroundIn this work we have determined molecular signatures of oviduct epithelial and progenitor cells. We have proposed a panel of selected marker genes, which correspond with the phenotype of oviduct cells of a laying hen (Gallus gallus domesticus) and quail (Coturnix japonica). We demonstrated differences in characteristics of those cells, in tissue and in vitro, with respect to different anatomical and functional parts of the oviduct (infundibulum (INF), distal magnum (DM, and proximal magnum (PM)). The following gene expression signatures were studied: (1) oviduct markers (estrogen receptor 1, ovalbumin, and SPINK7 - ovomucoid), (2) epithelial markers (keratin 5, keratin 14, and occludin) and (3) stem-like/progenitor markers (CD44 glycoprotein, LGR5, Musashi-1, and sex determining region Y-box 9, Nanog homebox, OCT4/cPOUV gene encoding transcription factor POU5F3).ResultsIn chicken, the expression of oviduct markers increased toward the proximal oviduct. Epithelial markers keratin14 and occludin were high in distal oviduct and decreased toward the proximal magnum. In quail oviduct tissue, the gene expression pattern of oviduct/epithelial markers was similar to chicken. The markers of progenitors/stemness in hen oviduct (Musashi-1 and CD44 glycoprotein) had the highest relative expression in the infundibulum and decreased toward the proximal magnum. In quail, we found significant expression of four progenitor markers (LGR5 gene, SRY sex determining region Y-box 9, OCT4/cPOUV gene, and CD44 glycoprotein) that were largely present in the distal oviduct. After in vitro culture of oviduct cells, the gene expression pattern has changed. High secretive potential of magnum-derived cells diminished by using decreased abundance of mRNA. On the other hand, chicken oviduct cells originating from the infundibulum gained ability to express OVM and OVAL. Epithelial character of the cells was maintained in vitro. Among progenitor markers, both hen and quail cells expressed high level of SOX9, LGR5 and Musashi-1.ConclusionAnalysis of tissue material revealed gradual increase/decrease pattern in majority of the oviduct markers in both species. This pattern changed after the oviductal cells have been cultured in vitro. The results can provide molecular tools to validate the phenotype of in vitro biological models from reproductive tissue.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12861-018-0168-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Secreting oviduct epithelial cells of Coturnix coturnix japonica (QOEC) and changes to their proteome after nonviral transfection

“…Acquired raw data were processed by the Mascot Distiller, followed by Mascot Search (on‐site license, Matrix Science; London, UK) against the UniProt (v.201604) database restricted to Gallus gallus sequences. It was used as a reference due to the following: (1) a high degree of conserved synteny between two species, and (2) lack of a high quality reference to quail genome assemblies, especially regarding oviduct markers . The search parameters for precursor and product ions mass tolerance were 10 ppm and 0.1 Da, respectively, enzyme specificity: trypsin, missed cleavage sites allowed: 1, fixed modification of cysteine by methylthio and variable modification of methionine oxidation.…”

“…It was used as a reference due to the following: (1) a high degree of conserved synteny between two species, 20,21 and (2) lack of a high quality reference to quail genome assemblies, 22 especially regarding oviduct markers. 16 The search parameters for precursor and product ions mass tolerance were 10 ppm and 0.1 Da, respectively, enzyme specificity: trypsin, missed cleavage sites allowed: 1, fixed modification of cysteine by methylthio and variable modification of methionine oxidation. Peptides with a Mascot Score exceeding the threshold value corresponding to <5% expectation value calculated by the Mascot procedure were considered to be positively identified.…”

Isolation and characterization of cultured chicken oviduct epithelial cells and in vitro validation of constructed ovalbumin promoter in these cells

“…Substantial efforts have been made to establish an in vitro system for the culture of cOECs for practical applications in avian transgenesis [ 11 ] and to understand the physiological and endocrinological roles of oviduct epithelium [ 12 – 15 ]. However, a simple isolation, culture, and characterization method for cOECs still remains to be challenging primarily due to relatively speedy growth and proliferation levels of other cells, such as oviductal tissue fibroblast cells.…”

Three-dimensional culture of chicken primordial germ cells (cPGCs) in defined media containing the functional polymer FP003

“…Therefore, cell-base bioreactor becomes an alternative for the purpose of pharmaceutical protein production. Though oviduct epithelial cells show the application potential [ 20 , 21 ], the absence of established lines and the limited number of passages of those primary adherent cell types are major blockages for a large-scale industrial production. Thereafter, avian pluripotent cell displays the ideal model for this purpose.…”