GRIM-19 in asthenozoospermia regulates GC-2 spd cell proliferation, apoptosis and migration

Asthenozoospermia (AZS) is a severe form of male infertility with no clear pathogenesis, despite numerous research efforts, there is no consensus on this. This study was to investigate the expression of gene-associated with retinoid-interferon-induced mortality 19 (GRIM-19) in the sperm of patients with asthenozoospermia and the regulation of GC-2 spd cell proliferation, apoptosis and migration. We analyzed the sperm samples from 82 asthenozoospermia and normal patients were collected in the First People's Hospital of Shangqiu and the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. Immunofluorescence, western blots and RT-qPCR analyses were used to verify the expressions of GRIM-19. MTT assays were used to assess cell proliferations, flow cytometry was performed to assess cell apoptosis, wound‑healing was performed to measure cell migration. Immunofluorescence showed that GRIM-19 is predominantly expressed in the sperm mid-piece, the mRNA expressions of GRIM-19 in sperms of the asthenozoospermia group were significantly low, relative to the normal group (OR 0.266; 95% CI = 0.081–0.868; P = 0.028). The protein expressions of GRIM-19 in sperms of the asthenozoospermia group were significantly lower than that of the normal group as well (GRIM-19/GAPDH: 0.827 ± 0.063 vs 0.458 ± 0.033; P < 0.001). GRIM-19 overexpression promotes GC-2 spd cell proliferation and migration and reduces apoptosis, while GRIM-19-silenced reduces GC-2 spd cell proliferation and migration and increased apoptosis. GRIM-19 is closely related to the occurrence of asthenozoospermia and promotes GC-2 spd cell proliferation and migration and reduces apoptosis.