Universität zu Köln

Weiten, Richard ORCID: 0009-0002-7216-1033, Herden, Jan ORCID: 0000-0002-1667-5200, Huerta, Manuel ORCID: 0000-0003-3643-9077, Nestler, Tim, Denil, Johan, Heidenreich, Axel ORCID: 0000-0002-2511-3664, Storz, Enno ORCID: 0009-0002-8250-5522, von Brandenstein, Melanie ORCID: 0000-0002-1499-7644 and Banihani, Saleem (2025). Vim3 and Mxi‐2 as Promising New Molecular Biomarkers for the Diagnosis of Sperm Disorders. Andrologia, 2025 (1). Wiley. ISSN 0303-4569

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Abstract

Introduction: Male infertility remains a significant clinical challenge that requires the exploration of new diagnostics strategies. Truncated proteins, such as Vim3, a truncated variant of vimentin, show promise as a new class of biomarkers for diagnosing fertility disorders. Our objective was to assess the potential utility of Vim3 and Mxi‐2, a shortened iteration of mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) p38, as noninvasive biomarkers for diagnosing sperm disorders. Methods: Semen samples of 19 fertile males (control group) and 82 infertile males with semen abnormalities and no female factor ( n = 28 OAT [oligo–astheno–teratozoospermia] syndrome, n = 8 azoospermia, n = 29 teratozoospermia, n = 11 astheno–teratozoospermia, and n = 6 oligozoospermia) were analyzed using ELISA (enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay) and flow cytometry. Furthermore, we conducted a lateral flow assay (LFA) specific to Vim3. Results: Our analysis revealed that Vim3 and endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) expression levels were significantly downregulated in non‐normozoospermic patients (e.g., OAT syndrome), while Mxi‐2 was overexpressed in these patients compared to the control group ( p < 0.01). Additionally, we introduced a novel LFA that provides a user‐friendly and effective method for examining Vim3 as a biomarker in clinical settings. Conclusion: Our results suggest that Vim3 and Mxi‐2 have potential as noninvasive semen biomarkers for diagnosing sperm disorders.

Item Type:	Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Weiten, Richard UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0009-0002-7216-1033 UNSPECIFIED Herden, Jan UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1667-5200 UNSPECIFIED Huerta, Manuel UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3643-9077 UNSPECIFIED Nestler, Tim UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Denil, Johan UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Heidenreich, Axel UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2511-3664 UNSPECIFIED Storz, Enno UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0009-0002-8250-5522 UNSPECIFIED von Brandenstein, Melanie UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1499-7644 UNSPECIFIED Banihani, Saleem UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-791912
Identification Number:	10.1155/AND/1233135
Journal or Publication Title:	Andrologia
Volume:	2025
Number:	1
Date:	12 January 2025
Publisher:	Wiley
ISSN:	0303-4569
Language:	English
Faculty:	Faculty of Medicine
Divisions:	Faculty of Medicine > Urologie > Klinik und Poliklinik für Urologie
Subjects:	Medical sciences Medicine
['eprint_fieldname_oa_funders' not defined]:	Publikationsfonds UzK
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/79191