Marvin L. Meistrich, PhD
Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, Division of Radiation Oncology
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Professor, Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, Division of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Research Interests
Dr. Meistrich’s research interests are currently focused on the male reproductive system and how cancer therapy, environmental agents, or genetic mutations affect that process.
Exposure to these agents not only kills spermatogonial stem cells but affect the ability of the testis tissue to support differentiation. This occurs in a variety of mammalian species, this differentiation block is most apparent in the rat. He is currently working on elucidating the genes that are responsible for the block in spermatogonial differentiation after exposure to anticancer agents using radiation as a model.
His laboratory is using several approaches. Since androgen suppression alleviates the radiation-induced block in spermatogonial differentiation, they have identified a group of genes that are upregulated by irradiation and downregulated by androgen ablation as candidates for the regulating the differentiation block. Currently they are administering siRNA in vivo to modulate levels of expression to determine if these genes are indeed the cause of the block. They have recently developed a tissue culture system to investigate spermatogonial differentiation in mouse testes and are applying it to irradiated rats.
They are also utilizing genetic approaches, taking advantage of the large differences in sensitivity of rat strains to this radiation-induced block, and used recombinant inbred rats to identify a region of rat chromosome 6 as containing a locus involved. Congenic rats are being used to confirm this localization and further narrow down the locus. Transgenic, knockdown, or knockout rats are planned to further investigate the pathways by which these genes regulate spermatogonial differentiation.
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 1967 | Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA, PHD, Solid State Physics |
| 1962 | Rensselaer Polytechnic Inst. B.S, Troy, NY, USA, BS, Physics |
Postgraduate Training
| 1969-1972 | Res Associate, Medical Biophysics, Ontario Cancer Institute, Toronto |
| 1967-1969 | Postdoctoral, Radiation Biology, Bell Telephone Laboratories, Murray Hill,, NJ |
Experience & Service
Academic Appointments
Associate Professor, Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, Division of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 1977 - 1983
Associate Biophysicist, Department of Experimental Radiotherapy, Division of Radiotherapy, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 1977 - 1983
Assistant Professor, Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, Division of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 1972 - 1977
Assistant Biophysicist, Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, Division of Radiotherapy, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 1972 - 1977
Lecturer, Department of Medical Biophysics, Division of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, 1971 - 1972
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Program Director (authorized GSBS program), Department of Reproductive Biology, The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, 1992 - 2003
Other Appointments/Responsibilities
Distinguished Senior Lecturer, University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Science at Houston, Houston, TX, 2012 - Present
Member, University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Science at Houston, Houston, TX, 1972 - 2012
Workshop: Assessment of Risks to Human Reproduction and to Development of the Human Conceptus from Exposure to Environmental Substances, United States Environmental Protection Agency
Institutional Committee Activities
Member, Faculty Senate, 2007 - 2010
Endowed Positions
Florence M. Thomas Professor of Cancer Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2002 - 2012
Ashbel Smith Professor, Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, Division of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 1996 - 2001
Consultantships
Harvard Center for Risk Analysis, unknown, 2001 - 2003
Environmental Protection Agency, unknown, 1991 - 1991
National Council on Radiation Protection, unknown, 1991 - 2000
Honors & Awards
| 2009 | Fellow of the American Association for Advancement of Science (AAAS), American Association for Advancement of Science |
| 1998 | Fogarty Senior International Fellowship |
| 1993 | GSBS Dean's Excellence Award |
| 1982 | American Cancer Society Scholarship |
| 1965 | Phi Kappa Phi Scholastic Honor Society, Cornell University |
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Bhardwaj A, Sohni A, Lou CH, De Gendt K, Zhang F, Kim E, Subbarayalu P, Chan W, Kerkhofs S, Claessens F, Kimmins S, Rao MK, Meistrich M, Wilkinson MF. Concordant Androgen-Regulated Expression of Divergent Rhox5 Promoters in Sertoli Cells. Endocrinology 163(1), 2022. PMID: 34902009.
- Shetty G, Mitchell JM, Lam TNA, Phan TT, Zhang J, Tailor RC, Peters KA, Penedo MC, Hanna CB, Clark AT, Orwig KE, Meistrich ML. Postpubertal Spermatogonial Stem Cell Transplantation Restores Functional Sperm Production in Rhesus Monkeys Irradiated Before and After Puberty. Andrology 9(5):1603-1616, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33960147.
- Shetty G, Mitchell JM, Meyer JM, Wu Z, Lam TNA, Phan TT, Zhang J, Hill L, Tailor RC, Peters KA, Penedo MC, Hanna C, Orwig KE, Meistrich ML. Restoration of Functional Sperm Production in Irradiated Pubertal Rhesus Monkeys by Spermatogonial Stem Cell Transplantation. Andrology 8(5):1428-1441, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32351003.
- Shetty G, Zhou W, Weng CC, Shao SH, Meistrich ML. Leydig cells contribute to the inhibition of spermatogonial differentiation after irradiation of the rat. Andrology 4(3):412-24, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 26991593.
- Comish PB, Liang LY, Yamauchi Y, Weng CC, Shetty G, Naff KA, Ward MA, Meistrich ML. Increasing Testicular Temperature by Exposure to Elevated Ambient Temperatures Restores Spermatogenesis in Adult Utp14bjsd mutant (jsd) mice. Andrology 3(2):376-84, 2015. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 25303716.
- Sahin Z, Szczepny A, McLaughlin EA, Meistrich ML, Zhou W, Ustunel I, Loveland KL. Dynamic Hedgehog signalling pathway activity in germline stem cells. Andrology 2(2):267-74, 2014. PMID: 24574096.
- Comish PB, Drumond AL, Kinnell HL, Anderson RA, Matin A, Meistrich ML, Shetty G. Fetal cyclophosphamide exposure induces testicular cancer and reduced spermatogenesis and ovarian follicle numbers in mice. PLoS One 9(4):e93311, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 24691397.
- Abuelhija M, Weng CC, Shetty G, Meistrich ML. Rat models of post-irradiation recovery of spermatogenesis:interstrain differences. Andrology 1(2):206-15, 2013. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 23413134.
- Shetty G, Uthamanthil RK, Zhou W, Shao SH, Weng CC, Tailor RC, Hermann BP, Orwig KE, Meistrich ML. Hormone suppression with GnRH antagonist promotes spermatogenic recovery from transplanted spermatogonial stem cells in irradiated cynomolgus monkeys. Andrology 1(6):886-98, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 24124124.
- Zhou W, Bolden-Tiller OU, Shetty G, Shao SH, Weng CC, Pakarinen P, Liu Z, Stivers DN, Meistrich ML. Changes in gene expression in somatic cells of rat testes resulting from hormonal modulation and radiation-induced germ cell depletion. Biol Reprod 82(1):54-65, 2010. PMID: 19684331.
- Zhou W, Wang G, Small CL, Liu Z, Weng CC, Yang L, Griswold MD, Meistrich ML. Gene expression alterations by conditional knockout of androgen receptor in adult Sertoli cells of Utp14bjsd/jsd (jsd) mice. Biol Reprod 83(5):759-66, 2010. PMID: 20650881.
- Shin Y-.H Choi Y, Erdin SU, Yatsenko SA, Kloc M, Yang F, Wang PJ, Meistrich ML, Rajkovic A. Hormad1 mutation disrupts synaptonemal complex formation, recombination, and chromosome segregation in mammalian meiosis. PLoS Genet 6(11):E101190, 2010.
- de Mateo S, Gázquez C, Guimerà M, Balasch J, Meistrich ML, Ballescà JL, Oliva R. Protamine 2 precursors (Pre-P2), protamine 1 to protamine 2 ratio (P1/P2), and assisted reproduction outcome. Fertil Steril 91(3):715-722, 2009. PMID: 18314125.
- Zhang Z, Shao S, Shetty G, Meistrich ML. Donor Sertoli cells transplanted into irradiated rat testes stimulate partial recovery of endogenous spermatogenesis. Reproduction 137(3):497-508, 2009. PMID: 19036951.
- Wang G, Weng CC, Shao SH, Zhou W, de Gendt K, Braun RE, Verhoeven G, Meistrich ML. Androgen receptor in Sertoli cells is not required for testosterone-induced suppression of spermatogenesis, but contributes to Sertoli cell organization in Utp14b jsd mice. J Androl 30(3):338-348 ("Cover Illustration"), 2009.
- Porter KL, Shetty G, Shuttlesworth GA, Weng CC, Huhtaniemi I, Pakarinen P, Meistrich ML. Estrogen enhances recovery from radiation-induced spermatogonial arrest in rat testes. J Androl 30(4):440-451, 2009. PMID: 19136390.
- Rose KL, Li A, Zalenskaya I, Zhang Y, Unni E, Hodgson KC, Yu Y, Shabanowitz J, Meistrich ML, Hunt DF, Ausio´ J. C-Terminal phosphorylation of murine testis-specific histone H1t in elongating spermatids. J Proteome Res 7(9):4070-4078, 2008. PMID: 18698803.
- Bhattacharya C, Aggarwal S, Zhu R, Kumar M, Zhao M, Meistrich ML, Matin A. The mouse dead-end gene isoform alpha is necessary for germ cell and embryonic viability. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 355(1):194-9, 2007. PMID: 17291453.
- Zhang Z, Shao S, Meistrich ML. The radiation-induced block in spermatogonial differentiation is due to damage to the somatic environment, not the germ cells. J Cell Physiol 211(1):149-58, 2007. PMID: 17167785.
- Zhao M, Rohozinski J, Sharma M, Ju J, Braun RE, Bishop CE, Meistrich ML. Utp14b: A unique retrogene within a gene that has acquired multiple promoters and a specific function in spermatogenesis. Dev Biol 304(2):848-59, 2007.
- Bolden-Tiller OU, Chiarini-Garcia H, Poirier C, Alves-Freitas D, Weng CC, Shetty G, Meistrich ML. Genetic factors contributing to defective spermatogonial differentiation in juvenile spermatogonial depletion (Utp14bjsd) mice. Biol Reprod 77(2):237-46, 2007. PMID: 17475932.
- Ballow D, Meistrich ML, Matzuk M, Rajkovic A. Sohlh1 is essential for spermatogonial differentiation. Dev Biol 294(1):161-7, 2006. PMID: 16564520.
- Porter KL, Shetty G, Meistrich ML. Testicular edema is associated with spermatogonial arrest in irradiated rats. Endocrinology 147(3):1297-305, 2006. PMID: 16306082.
- Shetty G, Weng CC, Meachem SJ, Bolden-Tiller OU, Zhang Z, Pakarinen P, Huhtaniemi I, Meistrich ML. Both testosterone and follicle-stimulating hormone independently inhibit spermatogonial differentiation in irradiated rats. Endocrinology 147(1):472-82, 2006. PMID: 16210366.
- Shetty G, Weng CC, Porter KL, Zhang Z, Pakarinen P, Kumar TR, Meistrich ML. Spermatogonial differentiation in juvenile spermatogonial depletion (jsd) mice with androgen receptor or follicle-stimulating hormone mutations. Endocrinology 147(7):3563-70, 2006. PMID: 16627582.
- Torregrosa N, Dominguez-Fandos D, Camejo MI, Shirley CR, Meistrich ML, Ballesca JL, Oliva R. Protamine 2 precursors, protamine 1/protamine 2 ratio, DNA integrity and other sperm parameters in infertile patients. Hum Reprod 21(8):2084-9, 2006. PMID: 16632464.
- Zhang Z, Shao S, Meistrich ML. Irradiated mouse testes efficiently support spermatogenesis derived from donor germ cells of mice and rats. J Androl 27(3):365-75 ("Cover Illustration"), 2006. PMID: 16339450.
- Liebe B, Petukhova G, Barchi M, Bellani M, Braselmann H, Nakano T, Pandita TK, Jasin M, Fournace A, Meistrich ML, Maarends WM, Schimenti J, de Lange T, Keeney S, Camerini-Otero RD, Sherthan H. Mutations that affect meiosis in male mice influence by dynamics of the mid-preleptotene and bouquet stages. Exp Cell Res 312:3768-3776, 2006.
- Boekelheide K, Schoenfeld HA, Hall SJ, Weng CC, Shetty G, Leith J, Harper J, Sigman M, Hess DL, Meistrich ML. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist (Cetrorelix) therapy fails to protect nonhuman primates (Macaca arctoides) from radiation-induced spermatogenic failure. J Androl 26(2):222-34, 2005. PMID: 15713828.
- Maclean JA, 2nd, Chen MA, Wayne CM, Bruce SR, Rao M, Meistrich ML, Macleod C, Wilkinson MF. Rhox: a new homeobox gene cluster. Cell 120(3):369-82, 2005. PMID: 15707895.
- Suganuma R, Yanagimachi R, Meistrich ML. Decline in fertility of mouse sperm with abnormal chromatin during epididymal passage as revealed by ICSI. Hum Reprod 20(11):3101-8, 2005. PMID: 16037114.
- Wang RA, Zhao M, Meistrich ML, Kumar R. Stage-specific expression of dynein light chain-1 and its interacting kinase, p21-activated kinase-1, in rodent testes: implications in spermiogenesis. J Histochem Cytochem 53(10):1235-43, 2005. PMID: 15983119.
- Meistrich, ML, Goldberg, LS. Electron spin resonance of the ICI-Vk center. Solid State Commun 4:469-471, 1966.
Invited Articles
- Meistrich ML. Risks of Genetic Damage in Offspring Conceived Using Sperm Produced during Chemotherapy or Radiotherapy. Andrology 8(3):545-558, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 31821745.
- Valli H, Phillips BT, Shetty G, Byrne JA, Clark AT, Meistrich ML, Orwig KE. Germline stem cells: toward the regeneration of spermatogenesis. Fertil Steril 101(1):3-13, 2014. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 24314923.
- Meistrich ML. Effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy on spermatogenesis in humans. Fertil Steril 100(5):1180-1186, 2013. PMID: 24012199.
- Meistrich ML. Male gonadal toxicity. Pediatr Blood Cancer 53(2):261-6, 2009.
- Meistrich M, Shetty G. Hormonal suppression for fertility preservation in males and females. Reproduction 136(6):691-702, 2008. PMID: 18515310.
Editorials
- Meistrich ML, Huhtaniemi IT. 'Andrology'- The new journal of the American Society of Andrology and the European Academy of Andrology. Int J Androl 35(2):107-108, 2012. PMID: 22413740.
- Meistrich ML, Carrell DT. Evolution of the Journal of Andrology and a bright future for "Andrology". J Androl 33(6):1119-1124, 2012. PMID: 22879530.
Book Chapters
- Dickstein RJ, Shetty G, Meistrich ML. Application of spermatogenesis suppression therapies for fertility preservation. In: Fertility Preservation in Male Cancer Patients. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, 203-212, 2013.
- Kuban DA, Cheung MR, Hussey DH, Meistrich ML. The Testicle. In: Radiation Oncology: Rationale, Technique, Results. Mosby-Elsevier: Philadelphia, PA, 653-675, 2010.
- Meistrich ML. Effects of antineoplastic and other medical treatments on sperm production. In: Sperm Banking: Theory and Practice. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UK, 18-30, 2009.
- Chiarini-Garcia H, Meistrich ML. High-resolution light microscopic characterization of spermatogonia. In: Methods Mol Biol, 95-107, 2008.
Grant & Contract Support
| Title: | Activation of Spermatogenic Recovery after Toxic Insult |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NIEHS |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Reversal of Spermatogonial Arrest in Mice |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NICHD |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Optimizing Spermatogonial Transplantation for Fertility Preservation |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NICHD |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Activation of Spermatogenic Recovery after Toxic Insult |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NIEHS |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Next Generation Therapies for Fertility Preservation in Male Cancer Patients |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NICHD |
| Role: | Co-Principal Investigator |
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified March 05, 2024