Browsing by Subject "Sertoli cell"
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- PublicationOpen AccessHSP47 expression in the hamster Sertoli cell: An immunohistochemical study(Universidad de Murcia. Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología, 2024) Seco-Rovira, Vicente; Serrano-Sánchez, María Isabel; Beltrán-Frutos, Ester; Martínez-Hernández, Jesús; Ferrer, Concepción; Pastor, Luis MiguelHSP47, a chaperone whose main function is the maturation of collagen molecules, is considered a marker of fibrotic diseases. Increased collagen synthesis in the testis has been associated with various pathologies leading to seminiferous tubule regression. Our aim was to study whether HSP47 is expressed in hamster Sertoli cells both in the adult and in two physiological situations of seminiferous tubule atrophy: irreversible testicular ageing and testicular regression due to short photoperiod (reversible). Eighteen animals were divided as follows: a group of 6 young animals aged 6 months, a group of 6 animals aged 24 months, which were exposed to a long photoperiod, and a final group of 6 young animals subjected to a short photoperiod. Testicular samples were fixed in methacarn and an immuno-histochemical technique was used to detect HSP47. A semiquantitative study of this protein expression was performed between tubular sections of aged animals with complete spermatogenesis and arrested spermatogenesis and tubular sections with arrest spermatogenesis of photoinhibited testes. Sertoli cells were positive for HSP47, the intensity being greater in tubular sections with arrested spermatogenesis in both aged and photoinhibited animals. Semiquantitative analysis corroborated this observation in the sense that the expression of this protein differed according to the functional state of the seminiferous tubules. Thus, the ratio of immunoreactivity was significantly higher in tubular sections with arrested spermatogenesis in aged animals compared with regressed animals, and in the latter compared with those whose tubular sections showed complete spermatogenesis. In conclusion, HSP47 expression in Sertoli cells was found for the first time in mammals. Moreover, increased expression seemed to be related to the degree of seminiferous atrophy epithelium and to the reversible or nonreversible physiological state of this epithelium.
- PublicationOpen AccessIGSF4: a new intercellular adhesion molecule that is called by three names, TSLC1, SgIGSF and SynCAM, by virtue of its diverse function(Murcia : F. Hernández, 2003) Watanabe, K.; Ito, A.; Koma, Y.; Kitamura, Y.Members of the immunoglobulin superfamily often play key roles in intercellular adhesion. IGSF4 is a novel immunoglobulin (Ig)-like intercellular adhesion molecule. Three Ig-like domains are included in the extracellular domain of IGSF4 and mediate homophilic or heterophilic interactions independently of Ca2+. The cytoplasmic domain of IGSF4 contains the binding motifs that connect to actin fibers. Since IGSF4 has been characterized by several independent research groups, this molecule is called by three names, TSLC1, SgIGSF and SynCAM. IGSF4 was first characterized as a tumor suppressor of non-small cell lung cancer and termed TSLC1, although how IGSF4 suppresses tumor growth remains unknown. Silencing of the IGSF4 gene was primarily achieved by allelic loss and promoter methylation in this type of cancers. Soon after this discovery, IGSF4 was found to have roles in adhesion of spermatogenic cells to Sertoli cells and mast cells to fibroblasts and termed SgIGSF. Other researchers revealed that IGSF4 drives synaptic formation of neural cells and termed it SynCAM.
- PublicationOpen AccessIn situ demonstration of both TUNEL-labeled germ cell and Sertoli cell in the cimetidine-treated rats(Murcia : F. Hernández, 2002) Sasso-Cerri, E.; Miraglia, S.M.Cimetidine has caused dysfunction in the male reproductive system. In the rat testis, intratubu l a r alterations and loss of peritubular tissue due to p e r i t u bular myoid cell death by apoptosis have been recently shown. Thus, the aim of this study is to evaluate which cells of the seminiferous epithelium have been affected and/or died by apoptosis after the treatment with cimetidine. For this purpose, an experimental group containing five male albino Wistar rats received intraperitoneal injections of cimetidine (50 mg/kg body weight) during 52 days. The testes were f i xed with 4% bu ff e r e d f o r m a l d e hyde and were embedded in paraffin. Fo r detection of DNA breaks (apoptosis) in the cells of the seminiferous epithelium, the testicular sections were treated by the TUNEL method (Apop-Tag Plus Peroxidase Kit). In the tubules affected by cimetidine, altered p e r i t u bular tissue, including the presence of TUNEL labeling in the myoid peritubular cells, were usually found. In these tubules, the seminiferous epithelium exhibited low density of germ cells and TUNEL-positive labeling in the germ cells of the basal compartment. The concomitant staining in both germ cells of the basal compartment and late spermatids suggest a sensitivity of these cells in the damaged tubules. Besides germ cells, T U N E L - p o s i t ive Sertoli cells were also found in the injured seminiferous tubules. Thus, a relationship between dying germ cells and Sertoli cell damage and/or death must be considered in tubules where peritubu l a r tissue has been affected by toxicants.
- PublicationOpen AccessMolecular role of sulfated glycoprotein-1 (SGP-I/Prosaposin) in Sertoli cells(Murcia : F. Hernández, 1995) Morales, C.R.; El-Alfy, M.; Zhao, Q.; Igdoura, S.Sulfated Glycoprotein- 1 (SGP- 1) is a major polypeptide secreted by rat Sertoli cells. Sequence analysis revealed a 70% sequence similarity with human prosaposin and a 80% similarity with mouse prosaposin. Both human and mouse prosaposin are 65-70 kDa proteins cleaved in the lysosomes into four 10-15 kDa proteins designated saposins A, B, C and D. Lysosomal saposins function as enzymatic activators that promote the hydrolysis of certain glycolipids. SGP-1 (70 kDa) was first considered as being exclusively secreted to the extracellular space. However, recent immunocytochemical studies using an anti SGP-1 antibody demonstrated the presence of this protein in Sertoli cell lysosomes. In addition Sertoli cell lysosomes isolated by cellular fractionation were found to contain a 65 kDa form of SGP-1 or lysosomal prosaposin, as well as, the 15 kDa saposins. Morphological and immunocytochemical evidences also indicated that both prosaposin and saposins may reach Sertoli cell phagosomes by lysosomal fusion. These phagosomes contain cytoplasmic residual bodies detached from spermatids during spermiation. Thus, prosaposin and their derived saposins must play a role in the hydrolysis of membrane glycolipids present in phagocytosed residual bodies. On the other hand, the function of the secreted form of SGP- 1 is still unclear. However, SGP-1 was seen to interact with the plasma membrane of developing spermatids. Due to its capacity to bind certain types of gangliosides, SGP-1 appears to act as glycolipid transfer between Sertoli cells and the developing spermatids.
- PublicationOpen AccessNew insights on hormones and factors that modulate Sertoli cell metabolism(Universidad de Murcia. Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología, 2016) Rato, Luís; Meneses, Maria João; Silva, Branca M.; Sousa, Mário; Alves, Marco G.; Oliveira, Pedro F.Sertoli cells (SCs) play a key role in spermatogenesis by providing the physical support for developing germ cells and ensuring them the appropriate nutrients, energy sources, hormones, and growth factors. The control of SCs metabolism has been in the spotlight for reproductive biologists, since it may be crucial to determine germ cells’ fate. Indeed, the maintenance of spermatogenesis is highly dependent on the metabolic cooperation established between SCs and germ cells, though this event has been overlooked. It depends on the orchestration of various metabolic pathways and an intricate network of signals. Several factors and/or hormones modulate the metabolic activity of SCs, which are major targets for the hormonal signalling that regulates spermatogenesis. Any alteration in the regulation of these cells’ metabolic behaviour may compromise the normal development of spermatogenesis and consequently, male fertility. In this context, SC metabolism arises as a key regulation point for spermatogenesis. Herein, we present an up-to-date overview on the impact of hormones and factors that modulate SC metabolism, with special focus on glycolytic metabolism, highlighting their relevance in determining male reproductive potential.
- PublicationOpen AccessThe PI3K/AKT signaling pathway: How does it regulate development of Sertoli cells and spermatogenic cells?(Universidad de Murcia, Departamento de Biologia Celular e Histiologia, 2022) Chen, Kuang Qi; Wei, Bang Hong; Hao, Shuang Li; Yang, Wan XiThe PI3K/AKT signaling pathway is one of the most crucial regulatory mechanisms in animal cells, which can mainly regulate proliferation, survival and anti-apoptosis in cell lines. In the seminiferous epithelium, most studies were concentrated on the role of PI3K/AKT signaling in immature Sertoli cells (SCs) and spermatogonia stem cells (SSCs). PI3K/AKT signaling can facilitate the proliferation and antiapoptosis of immature Sertoli cells and spermatogenic cells. Besides, in mature Sertoli cells, this pathway can disintegrate the structure of the blood-testis barrier (BTB) via regulatory protein synthesis and the cytoskeleton of Sertoli cells. All of these effects can directly and indirectly maintain and promote spermatogenesis in male testis.