Male reproductive tract antimicrobial expression in the extremes of ages of rats

Abstract

Alterations in the global gene expression profile are considered to contribute to the various physiological and pathological changes during the course of ageing. Genes that code for the molecular components of the innate system are alter markedly as ageing occurs; and this may define the susceptibility of very young and very old individuals to reproductive tract infections. The expression pattern of genes that code for beta-defensins (effectors of innate immune response) in male reproductive tract tissues of different stages of ageing is not yet reported. Further, the induction of beta-defensins during endotoxin challenge and whether epigenetic modulators can influence the expression of these genes in different stages of ageing are not reported. We analyzed the basal mRNA levels of beta-defensins and defensin-like proteins (Sperm Associated Antigen 11 (SPAG11) family members), their induction during endotoxin challenge and modulation by epigenetic modifiers (Trichostatin A and Azacytidine) in the caput, cauda, testis, prostate and seminal vesicle of rats that represent early stage to late stages of life (20 day to 730 day old). We observed differential basal gene expression pattern in the male reproductive tract tissues and the induction by LPS was not consistent neither among the age groups not the tissues analyzed. Trichostatin A and Azacytidine also influenced antimicrobial gene expression and the pattern was not consistent in different tissues obtained from different age groups. Results of this study demonstrate that antimicrobial gene expression varies to a great extent during ageing and is strongly influenced by endotoxins and epigenetic modulators.