Activation of the JAK1/STAT1 signaling pathway is associated with peroxiredoxin 6 expression levels in human epididymis epithelial cells

Introduction: Peroxiredoxin 6 (Prdx6) is widely expressed in mammalian tissues. Our previous study demonstrated that Prdx6 was expressed in human epididymis, present in human seminal fluid, and in spermatozoa. The protective role of Prdx6 in maintaining the viability and DNA integrity of human spermatozoa was also detected. Here, we demonstrate the potential role and mechanism of Prdx6 in human epididymis epithelial cells (HEECs).

Material and methods: Western blotting was used to measure expression levels of key proteins in the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling pathway. The malonaldehyde (MDA) levels and antioxidant capacity in HEECs were detected with the commercial kits. Digital gene expression analysis (DGE) was used to identify gene expression patterns in control and Prdx6-interference HEECs. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to validate the DGE findings.

Results: Compared to control HEECs, the expression levels of JAK1, STAT1, phosphorylated JAK1 and STAT1 were significantly increased, while the expression level of SOCS3 was significantly decreased in Prdx6-interference HEECs. The MDA level and total antioxidant capacity in Prdx6-interference HEECs were significantly increased and decreased compared to that of control, respectively. DGE analysis identified 589 up-regulated and 314 down-regulated genes (including Prdx6) in Prdx6-interference HEECs. Thirteen significantly different pathways were identified between the two groups, with the majority of genes belonging to the CCL, CXCL, IL, and IFIT family of proteins and were related to immunity. In particular, the expression levels of IL6, IL6ST, and eighteen IFN-related genes were significantly increased in Prdx6-interference HEECs compared to control HEECs.

Conclusions: We found that reduced Prdx6 expression induced higher ROS levels in HEECs, which resulted in the activation of the IL-6 receptor and IFNγ expression to induce the JAK1/STAT1 signaling pathway.