[Distribution of HoxA13 in the prepuce and urethral plate in different types of hypospadias and its implication]
Chang-Hui Wang1, Qing Zeng2, Xian-Zhen Jiang2
1Department of Urology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China. wangchanghuihao@163.com
Insights
Abnormal expression of the HoxA13 gene in the prepuce and urethral plate is linked to hypospadias. Reduced HoxA13 transcription and protein levels correlate with urethral abnormalities in patients.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
- Urology
Background:
- Hypospadias is a congenital condition affecting male urethral development.
- The HOXA13 gene, a member of the HOX family, plays a crucial role in embryonic development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of HoxA13 gene transcription and expression in the development of hypospadias.
- To detect HoxA13 levels in the prepuce and urethral plate of hypospadias patients.
Main Methods:
- Tissue samples were collected from 30 hypospadias patients and 20 controls (phimosis and penile carcinoma patients).
- HoxA13 mRNA and protein expression were analyzed using RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry.
- Samples were categorized into distal, intermedial, proximal, and control groups.
Main Results:
- HoxA13 mRNA and protein expression were significantly lower in the intermedial and proximal groups of hypospadias patients compared to controls.
- Expression levels in the distal group were also lower than controls but higher than the proximal group.
- A significant correlation was observed between reduced HoxA13 expression and the abnormal positioning of the urethral meatus.
Conclusions:
- Abnormal transcription and expression of HoxA13 in the prepuce and urethral plate are closely associated with hypospadias.
- Altered HoxA13 expression may impact normal urethral development and formation.
Objective:
To investigate the role of the HoxA13 gene from the HOX family in the development of hypospadias by detecting the transcription and expression of HoxA13 in the prepuce and urethral plate of hypospadias patients.
Methods:
We collected the tissues from the prepuce and urethral plate of 30 hypospadias patients aged 3.3 - 11.6 years, the prepuce of 10 phimosis children aged 3.1 - 10.4 years and the urethra of 10 penile carcinoma patients aged 48.1 - 75.6 years with no urethral involvement, the latter 20 taken as controls. We divided the tissue samples into a distal, an intermedial, a proximal and a control group, and detected the expressions of HoxA13 mRNA and protein in different groups by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry.
Results:
RT-PCR showed that the HoxA13 mRNA expressions in the prepuce and urethral plate were significantly higher in the control group (1.409 +/- 0.441 and 1.270 +/- 0.209) than in the intermedial (0.848 +/- 0.338 and 0.684 +/- 0.228) and proximal group (0.497 +/- 0.218 and 0.464 +/- 0.164) (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), and so were they in the distal (1.071 +/- 0.342 and 1.054 +/- 0.189) than in the proximal group (P < 0.05). Immunohistochemistry revealed that the HoxA13 protein expressions in the prepuce and urethral plate were remarkably higher in the control group (12 050 +/- 4 112 and 13 420 +/- 2 636) than in the intermedial (5 217 +/- 1 993 and 5 238 +/- 3 065) and proximal group (2 095 +/- 1 591 and 2 238 +/- 2 217) (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), and so were they in the distal (8 223 +/- 3 212 and 10 450 +/- 2 123) than in the proximal group (P < 0.05).
Conclusion:
The transcription and expression of HoxA13 in the prepuce and urethral plate of hypospadias patients are closely related with the abnormal position of the urethral meatus, and their abnormal expressions may affect the development and formation of the urethra.
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