title: Construction of a catsper1 DNA vaccine and its antifertility effect on male mice.
abstract: Cation channel of sperm 1 (CATSPER1) is a unique sperm cation channel protein, and essential for sperm function and male fertility. CATSPER1 exclusively expresses in meiotic and postmeiotic spermatogenic cells, thus belongs to the spermatogenesis-specific antigen that escape central tolerance. We have previously demonstrated the immunocontraceptive potential of its transmembrane domains and pore region, and reported the antifertility effects of its B-cell epitopes on male mice. Aiming to develop DNA vaccine targeting CATSPER1 for male contraception, here the whole open reading frame of mouse Catsper1 was cloned into the plasmid pEGFP-N1 to obtain a DNA vaccine pEGFP-N1-Catsper1. The vaccine was confirmed to be transcribed and translated in mouse N2a cell in vitro and mouse muscle tissue in vivo. Intramuscular injection with the vaccine on male mice induced specific immune reaction and caused significant inhibition on sperm hyperactivated motility and progressive motility (P<0.001 for both), and consequently reduced male fertility. The fertility rate of experimental group was 40.9%, which was significant lower (P=0.012) than control group (81.8%). No significant change in mating behavior, sperm production and histology of testis/epididymis was observed. Given that Catsper1 exhibits a high degree of homology among different species, Catsper1 DNA vaccine might be a good strategy for developing an immunocontraceptive vaccine for human and animal use.
authors.affiliation: Family Planning Research Institute/Center of Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Qiong
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Family Planning Research Institute/Center of Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Xiao-Qin
authors.initials: XQ
authors.lastname: Mei
authors.affiliation: Centre of Reproductive Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Xiao-Fang
authors.initials: XF
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.affiliation: Family Planning Research Institute/Center of Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Ting-Ting
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.affiliation: Family Planning Research Institute/Center of Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Wei-Wei
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.affiliation: Family Planning Research Institute/Center of Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; Wuhan Tongji Reproductive Medicine Hospital, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Hong-Gang
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000235:genetics; D002460:Cell Line; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D016366:Open Reading Frames; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D022642:Vaccines, Contraceptive / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D019444:Vaccines, DNA / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D015220:Calcium Channels; C488642:Catsper1 protein, mouse; D022642:Vaccines, Contraceptive; D019444:Vaccines, DNA