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Reproduction in Domestic Animals =... Mar 2021Sertoli cells are the only somatic cells in the seminiferous epithelium which directly contact with germ cells. Sertoli cells exhibit polarized alignment at the basal...
Sertoli cells are the only somatic cells in the seminiferous epithelium which directly contact with germ cells. Sertoli cells exhibit polarized alignment at the basal membrane of seminiferous tubules to maintain the microenvironment for growth and development of germ cells, and therefore play a crucial role in spermatogenesis. Androgens exert their action through androgen receptor (AR) and AR signalling in the testis is essential for maintenance of spermatogonial numbers, blood-testis barrier integrity, completion of meiosis, adhesion of spermatids and spermiation. In the present study, we demonstrated that AR gene could promote the proliferation of immature porcine Sertoli cells (ST cells) and the cell cycle procession, and accelerate the transition from G1 phase into S phase in ST cells. Meanwhile, miR-124a could affect the proliferation and cell cycle procession of ST cells by targeting 3'-UTR of AR gene. Furthermore, AR bound to the RNF4 via AR DNA-binding domain (DBD) and we verified that RNF4 was necessary for AR to regulate the growth of ST cells. Above all, this study suggests that AR regulates ST cell growth via binding to RNF4 and miR-124a, which may help us to further understand the function of AR in spermatogenesis.
Topics: 3' Untranslated Regions; Animals; Cell Cycle; Cell Line; Cell Proliferation; DNA-Binding Proteins; Gene Expression; Male; MicroRNAs; Nuclear Proteins; Protein Domains; Receptors, Androgen; Sertoli Cells; Swine; Transcription Factors
PubMed: 33305371
DOI: 10.1111/rda.13877 -
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton,... 2018Autophagy is an important cellular homeostatic process, it degrades most long-lived proteins and some organelles by lysosome to provide raw materials for the survival of...
Autophagy is an important cellular homeostatic process, it degrades most long-lived proteins and some organelles by lysosome to provide raw materials for the survival of the cells during nutrient or energy deprivation condition. Autophagy is active in Sertoli cells and involved in many cellular processes. However, the precise role of autophagy in Sertoli cells is still largely unknown. Thus, the assessment of autophagy in Sertoli cells should be helpful for investigating the functional roles of autophagy in Sertoli cells. This chapter describes some methods for assessing autophagy in Sertoli cells, including detection of LC3 maturation/aggregation, transmission electron microscopy, half-life assessments of long-lived proteins, immunofluorescence microscopy, and co-localization of autophagy-targeted proteins with autophagy components or lysosomal proteins.
Topics: Animals; Autophagy; Cells, Cultured; Lysosomes; Male; Mice; Microtubule-Associated Proteins; Phagosomes; Sequestosome-1 Protein; Sertoli Cells
PubMed: 29453569
DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-7698-0_10 -
Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology Jan 2022Sertoli cells (SCs) are immune privileged cells found in the testis that function to immunologically protect maturing germ cells from immune destruction. This immune... (Review)
Review
Sertoli cells (SCs) are immune privileged cells found in the testis that function to immunologically protect maturing germ cells from immune destruction. This immune protection is due to the blood-testis-barrier, which prevents infiltration of cytotoxic immune cells and antibodies, and SC production of immunomodulatory factors, that favor a tolerogenic environment. The ability of SCs to create an immune privileged environment has led to the exploration of their potential use in the treatment of various diseases. SCs have been utilized to create a tolerogenic ectopic microenvironment, to protect co-grafted cells, and to deliver therapeutic proteins through gene therapy. To date, numerous studies have reported the potential use of SCs for the treatment of diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders, and restoration of spermatogenesis. Additionally, SCs have been investigated as a delivery vehicle for therapeutic products to treat other diseases like Laron syndrome, muscular dystrophy, and infections. This review will provide an overview of these therapeutic applications.
Topics: Animals; Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy; Humans; Male; Mice; Sertoli Cells
PubMed: 33910764
DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2021.04.007 -
Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology Jul 2022Smtnl2 is an epithelial Smoothelin that binds to actin filaments and is crucial for epithelial morphogenesis. We examined the role of Smtnl2 in Sertoli cells, which...
Smtnl2 is an epithelial Smoothelin that binds to actin filaments and is crucial for epithelial morphogenesis. We examined the role of Smtnl2 in Sertoli cells, which undergo dynamic cytoskeleton reorganization to phagocytose apoptotic germ cells, a process known as efferocytosis. We observed Smtnl2 expression in primary mouse Sertoli cells and the 15P1 Sertoli cell line. Smtnl2 expression increased in 15P1 cells committing efferocytosis. Smtnl2-deficient Sertoli cells exhibited defective ability to engulf apoptotic germ cells and importantly, the phenomenon occurred in the setting of an unaffected maturation of phagosome. We demonstrated that Smtnl2 regulates the engulfment process through the function of branched actin nucleation protein ARP3, an actin assembly dictator. Intriguingly, a shift in glucose metabolism that restricts lactate production in Sertoli cells was induced upon Smtnl2 depletion, leading to the activation of downstream AMPK and AKT signaling. Using an in vivo RNAi approach, we found that silencing of Smtnl2 in testis triggers an obvious disruption in cytoskeleton architecture and blood-testis barrier integrity across seminiferous epithelium, causing the detachment of massive germ cells from their nest, as evidenced by their exfoliation into the lumen. Overall, our study identifies Smtnl2 as a determinant for Sertoli cells' functioning in supporting spermatogenesis.
Topics: Actins; Animals; Blood-Testis Barrier; Germ Cells; Lactates; Male; Mice; Phagocytosis; Phosphoproteins; Sertoli Cells; Spermatogenesis; Testis
PubMed: 35551947
DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2022.111664 -
Biology of Reproduction Jul 2022Testis size determination is an important question of reproductive biology. Sertoli cells are known to be a key determinant of mammalian testis size but the underlying...
Testis size determination is an important question of reproductive biology. Sertoli cells are known to be a key determinant of mammalian testis size but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Previously we showed that highly conserved germ cell RNA-binding proteins, PUMILIO1(PUM1) and PUMILIO2 (PUM2), control mouse organ and body size through translational regulation, but how different cell types of the organs contribute to their organ size regulation has not been established. Here, we report a somatic role of PUM in gonad size determination. PUM1 is highly expressed in the Sertoli cells of the developing testis from embryonic and postnatal mice as well as in germ cells. Removal of Sertoli cell, but not germ cell, Pum1 gene, led to reduced testis size without significantly affecting sperm number or fertility. Knockout of PUM1 target, Cdkn1b, rescued the phenotype of reduced testis size, supporting a key role of Sertoli cell PUM1 mediated Cdkn1b repression in the testis size control. Furthermore, removal of Pum2 or both Pum1 and Pum2 in the Sertoli cells also only affected the testis size, not sperm development, with the biggest size reduction in Pum1/2 double knockout mice. We propose that PUM1 and PUM2 modulate the testis size through their synergistic translational regulation of cell cycle regulators in the Sertoli cell. Further investigation of the ovary or other organs could reveal if PUM-mediated translational control of cell proliferation of the supporting cell represents a general mechanism for organ size modulation.
Topics: Animals; Cell Cycle; Male; Mice; Mice, Knockout; RNA-Binding Proteins; Sertoli Cells; Testis
PubMed: 35678316
DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac118 -
Histology and Histopathology May 2016Sertoli cells (SCs) play a key role in spermatogenesis by providing the physical support for developing germ cells and ensuring them the appropriate nutrients, energy... (Review)
Review
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.
Topics: Animals; Gonadal Hormones; Humans; Male; Sertoli Cells; Spermatogenesis
PubMed: 26711246
DOI: 10.14670/HH-11-717 -
Biochemical and Biophysical Research... Nov 2021The molecular regulation of Sertoli cells and their crosstalk with germ cells has not been fully characterized. SUMO proteins are essential for normal development and...
The molecular regulation of Sertoli cells and their crosstalk with germ cells has not been fully characterized. SUMO proteins are essential for normal development and are expressed in mouse and human Sertoli cells; However, the cell-specific role of sumoylation in those cells has only started to be elucidated. In other cell types, including granulosa cells, sumoylation is regulated by a SUMO ligase KAP1/Trim28. Deletion of KAP1 in Sertoli cells causes testicular degeneration; However, the role of KAP1 in those cells has not been identified. Here we show that both mouse and human Sertoli undergo apoptosis upon inhibition of sumoylation with a chemical inhibitor or via a siRNA technology. We have additionally detected changes in the Sertoli cell proteome upon the inhibition of sumoylation, and our data suggest that among others, the expression of ER/stress-related proteins is highly affected by this inhibition. Sumoylation may also regulate the NOTCH signaling which is important for the maintenance of the developing germ cells. Furthermore, we show that a siRNA-down-regulation of KAP1 in a Sertoli-derived cell line causes an almost complete inactivation of sumoylation. In conclusion, sumoylation regulates important survival and signaling pathways in Sertoli cells, and KAP1 can be a major regulator of sumoylation in these cells.
Topics: Animals; Apoptosis; Cell Line; Humans; Male; Mice; Proteins; Sertoli Cells; Sumoylation
PubMed: 34624570
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.09.066 -
Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex... Feb 2021Cadmium (Cd) was an environmental pollutant, which could result in germ cell apoptosis in testes. Sertoli-germ cell communication was vital for germ cell development and...
Cadmium (Cd) was an environmental pollutant, which could result in germ cell apoptosis in testes. Sertoli-germ cell communication was vital for germ cell development and maturity. However, little was known about the effect of Sertoli cell autophagy on Cd-induced germ cell apoptosis. Here, we used male Amh-Cre+/Atg5 (Atg5) mice, loss of autophagy-related gene 5 (Atg5) in testicular Sertoli cells, to explore the obscure effects. Atg5 and Wild-type (WT) mice were given with cadmium chloride (CdCl 2.0 mg/kg) for 0-24 h. Our results showed that Cd triggered testicular germ cell apoptosis, as evidenced by the increment of TUNEL-labeled germ cells, cleaved caspase3 and cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase protein level. Additionally, Cd induced testicular autophagy, as determined by elevating the level of autophagy-related proteins, including Atg5, Atg7, LC3B-II, and the gathering of LC3 puncta. 3-methyladenine, a specific autophagy inhibitor, exacerbated Cd-caused germ cell apoptosis. Inversely, rapamycin, an autophagy inducer, relieved Cd-stimulated germ cell apoptosis. Interestingly, we found that autophagy in Sertoli cells was activated in Cd-treated WT mouse testes as evidenced by the increment of LC3 puncta surrounding SOX9, a specific Sertoli cell marker. More importantly, loss of autophagy in Sertoli cells aggravated Cd-triggered germ cell apoptosis. Taken together, these data indicate that autophagy in Sertoli cells alleviates Cd-triggered germ cell apoptosis in mouse testes.
Topics: Animals; Apoptosis; Autophagy; Cadmium; Germ Cells; Male; Mice; Sertoli Cells; Testis
PubMed: 33321432
DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.116241 -
Nature Communications Jan 2020Spermatogonia, which produce sperm throughout the male lifetime, are regulated inside a niche composed of Sertoli cells, and other testis cell types. Defects in Sertoli...
Spermatogonia, which produce sperm throughout the male lifetime, are regulated inside a niche composed of Sertoli cells, and other testis cell types. Defects in Sertoli cells often lead to infertility, but replacement of defective cells has been limited by the inability to deplete the existing population. Here, we use an FDA-approved non-toxic drug, benzalkonium chloride (BC), to deplete testis cell types in vivo. Four days after BC administration, Sertoli cells are preferentially depleted, and can be replaced to promote spermatogenesis from surviving (host) spermatogonia. Seven days after BC treatment, multiple cell types can be engrafted from fresh or cryopreserved testicular cells, leading to complete spermatogenesis from donor cells. These methods will be valuable for investigation of niche-supporting cell interactions, have the potential to lead to a therapy for idiopathic male infertility in the clinic, and could open the door to production of sperm from other species in the mouse.
Topics: Animals; Animals, Newborn; Benzalkonium Compounds; Cryopreservation; Dogs; Male; Mice, Inbred Strains; Mice, Transgenic; Organ Culture Techniques; Sertoli Cells; Spermatogenesis; Spermatogonia; Stem Cell Niche; Testis
PubMed: 31896751
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-13879-8 -
Development (Cambridge, England) Jul 2023Temporal transcription profiles of fetal testes with Sertoli cell ablation were examined in 4-day culture using a diphtheria toxin (DT)-dependent cell knockout system in...
Temporal transcription profiles of fetal testes with Sertoli cell ablation were examined in 4-day culture using a diphtheria toxin (DT)-dependent cell knockout system in AMH-TRECK transgenic (Tg) mice. RNA analysis revealed that ovarian-specific genes, including Foxl2, were ectopically expressed in DT-treated Tg testis explants initiated at embryonic days 12.5-13.5. FOXL2-positive cells were ectopically observed in two testicular regions: near the testicular surface epithelia and around its adjacent mesonephros. The surface FOXL2-positive cells, together with ectopic expression of Lgr5 and Gng13 (markers of ovarian cords), were derived from the testis epithelia/subepithelia, whereas another FOXL2-positive population was the 3βHSD-negative stroma near the mesonephros. In addition to high expression of Fgfr1/Fgfr2 and heparan sulfate proteoglycan (a reservoir for FGF ligand) in these two sites, exogenous FGF9 additives repressed DT-dependent Foxl2 upregulation in Tg testes. These findings imply retention of Foxl2 inducibility in the surface epithelia and peri-mesonephric stroma of the testicular parenchyma, in which certain paracrine signals, including FGF9 derived from fetal Sertoli cells, repress feminization in these two sites of the early fetal testis.
Topics: Mice; Animals; Male; Female; Sertoli Cells; Testis; Mice, Transgenic; Ovary; Fetus
PubMed: 37376880
DOI: 10.1242/dev.201660