Microcystin–leucine–arginine causes blood–testis barrier disruption and degradation of occludin mediated by matrix metalloproteinase-8

Microcystin–leucine–arginine (MC-LR) can cause male reproductive disorders. However, the underlying mechanisms are not yet fully understood. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of MC-LR on the integrity of blood–testis barrier (BTB) and the related molecular mechanisms. Both transepithelial electrical resistance measurement in vitro and electron microscope observation ex vivo revealed that MC-LR caused disruption of the tight junction between Sertoli cells, which was paralleled by the degradation of occludin. We observed increased expression of matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) upon exposure to MC-LR, and confirmed that abrogation of MMP-8 activity by specific inhibitors as well as transfection with MMP-8 shRNA could abolish the degradation of occludin. Our data demonstrated that MC-LR up-regulated nuclear levels of c-Fos and c-Jun through activating ERK and JNK, and increased NF-κB levels by activating the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT cascades. Enhanced binding of c-Fos and NF-κB to the promoter of MMP-8 promoted the transcription of MMP - 8 gene. Furthermore, miR-184-3p was significantly downregulated in SC following exposure to MC-LR through targeting MMP-8 expression. Together, these results confirmed that MC-LR-induced MMP-8 expression was regulated at both transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels, which was involved in MC-LR-induced degradation of occludin and BTB destruction. This work may provide new perspectives in developing new diagnosis and treatment strategies for MC-induced male infertility.