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Frontiers in Endocrinology 2022Androgen receptor signaling pathway is necessary to complete spermatogenesis in testes. Difference between androgen binding location in Sertoli cell classifies androgen... (Review)
Review
Androgen receptor signaling pathway is necessary to complete spermatogenesis in testes. Difference between androgen binding location in Sertoli cell classifies androgen receptor signaling pathway into classical signaling pathway and non-classical signaling pathway. As the only somatic cell type in seminiferous tubule, Sertoli cells are under androgen receptor signaling pathway regulation androgen receptor located in cytoplasm and plasma membrane. Androgen receptor signaling pathway is able to regulate biological processes in Sertoli cells as well as germ cells surrounded between Sertoli cells. Our review will summarize the major discoveries of androgen receptor signaling pathway in Sertoli cells and the paracrine action on germ cells. Androgen receptor signaling pathway regulates Sertoli cell proliferation and maturation, as well as maintain the integrity of blood-testis barrier formed between Sertoli cells. Also, Spermatogonia stem cells achieve a balance between self-renewal and differentiation under androgen receptor signaling regulation. Meiotic and post-meiotic processes including Sertoli cell - Spermatid attachment and Spermatid development are guaranteed by androgen receptor signaling until the final sperm release. This review also includes one disease related to androgen receptor signaling dysfunction named as androgen insensitivity syndrome. As a step further ahead, this review may be conducive to develop therapies which can cure impaired androgen receptor signaling in Sertoli cells.
Topics: Humans; Male; Receptors, Androgen; Sertoli Cells; Signal Transduction; Spermatogenesis; Testis
PubMed: 35282467
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.838858 -
Journal of Cellular Biochemistry Aug 2018The somatic component of seminiferous epithelium, the Sertoli cells (Sc) respond to Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and Testosterone (T) to produce factors which are...
The somatic component of seminiferous epithelium, the Sertoli cells (Sc) respond to Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and Testosterone (T) to produce factors which are necessary for germ cell (Gc) survival and differentiation. Infant Sc do not support spermatogenesis in spite of sufficient hormonal milieu, a situation similar to that found in male idiopathic infertility. Sc maturation during pubertal period involves expression of some genes which may be important for initiation of spermatogenesis. Analysis of differentially expressed genes, one by one, in infant and pubertal Sc might provide useful information about the regulation of spermatogenesis. DNA microarray based analysis of mRNA from 5-days (infant) and 12-days (pubertal) old rat Sc revealed increased expression of Nor-1 by pubertal Sc. NOR-1 is an orphan nuclear receptor involved in maintaining cellular homeostasis and disease. We generated transgenic mice using shRNA cloned under Pem (Rhox5) promoter which is activated at puberty in Sc. Such transgenic mice had reduced Nor-1 expression and increased Tgfβ1, Tgfβ3, and Smad3 expression. Moreover, an increase in β-catenin expression was observed in NOR-1 knockdown testes. High β-catenin in such transgenic mice was found to be associated with disruption of Sc maturation characterized by elevated expression of Anti Mullerian hormone, Cytokeratin 18, and Sox9. This disruption of Sc maturation resulted in Gc apoptosis. Such NOR-1 knockdown mice showed reduced sperm count and litter size. We report for the first time that NOR-1 plays a crucial role in regulating sperm count and male fertility.
Topics: Animals; DNA-Binding Proteins; Fertility; Male; Mice; Mice, Transgenic; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Rats; Receptors, Steroid; Receptors, Thyroid Hormone; Sertoli Cells; Sperm Count; Spermatogenesis; Spermatozoa
PubMed: 29363789
DOI: 10.1002/jcb.26698 -
Reproduction (Cambridge, England) Mar 2019SRC family kinases (SFKs) are known regulators of multiple cellular events, including cell movement, differentiation, proliferation, survival and apoptosis. SFKs are... (Review)
Review
SRC family kinases (SFKs) are known regulators of multiple cellular events, including cell movement, differentiation, proliferation, survival and apoptosis. SFKs are expressed virtually by all mammalian cells. They are non-receptor protein kinases that phosphorylate a variety of cellular proteins on tyrosine, leading to the activation of protein targets in response to environmental stimuli. Among SFKs, SRC, YES and FYN are the ubiquitously expressed and best studied members. In fact, SRC, the prototypical SFK, was the first tyrosine kinase identified in mammalian cells. Studies have shown that SFKs are regulators of cell junctions, and function in endocytosis and membrane trafficking to regulate junction restructuring events. Herein, we briefly summarize the recent findings in the field regarding the role of SFKs in the testis in regulating spermatogenesis, particularly in Sertoli-Sertoli and Sertoli-germ cell adhesion. While it is almost 50 years since the identification of the oncogene v-Src encoded by Rous sarcoma transforming virus, the understanding of SFK involvement during spermatogenesis in the testis remains far behind that in other epithelia and tissues. The goal of this review is to bridge this gap.
Topics: Animals; Cell Adhesion; Cell Differentiation; Germ Cells; Humans; Male; Sertoli Cells; Spermatogenesis; src-Family Kinases
PubMed: 30608903
DOI: 10.1530/REP-18-0440 -
Cell and Tissue Research Aug 2020The Sertoli cell (SC) specific connexin43 (Cx43) knockout (SCCx43KO) mouse line is ideal to gain insight into the mechanistic gap junction formation in SC and the...
The Sertoli cell (SC) specific connexin43 (Cx43) knockout (SCCx43KO) mouse line is ideal to gain insight into the mechanistic gap junction formation in SC and the seminiferous epithelium. A method for developing primary SC cultures from these mice was established, validated and successfully characterized via polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence (IF), and Western blots (WB). It was evident that both knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) primary cell cultures were similar in morphology. These highly pure SC cultures were subjected to cell proliferation assays indicating no notable proliferation in cultures of both genotypes. Measurements of cell monolayer integrity indicated significant increases in transepithelial electrical resistance and consequently in tight junction expression of the KO cultures. Using semi-quantitative WB and IF, tight junction protein claudin-11 was analyzed. These results support a role for Cx43 in regulating blood-testis barrier (BTB) function, composition, and dynamics in vitro. Thus, the SC deficient Cx43 cell cultures may provide a valuable in vitro tool for a better understanding of the mechanistic role of Cx43 in spermatogenesis and BTB assembly.
Topics: Animals; Cell Line; Cell Proliferation; Cells, Cultured; Connexin 43; Male; Mice; Mice, Knockout; Primary Cell Culture; Sertoli Cells; Tight Junctions
PubMed: 32328805
DOI: 10.1007/s00441-020-03203-y -
Reproduction (Cambridge, England) Feb 2016Nicotine is largely consumed in the world as a component of cigarettes. It can cross the placenta and reach the milk of smoking mothers. This drug induces apoptosis,...
Nicotine is largely consumed in the world as a component of cigarettes. It can cross the placenta and reach the milk of smoking mothers. This drug induces apoptosis, affects sex hormone secretion, and leads to male infertility. To investigate the exposure to nicotine during the whole intrauterine and lactation phases in Sertoli cells, pregnant rats received nicotine (2 mg/kg per day) through osmotic minipumps. Male offsprings (30, 60, and 90 days old) had blood collected for hormonal analysis (FSH and LH) and their testes submitted for histophatological study, analysis of the frequency of the stages of seminiferous epithelium cycle, immunolabeling of apoptotic epithelial cells (TUNEL and Fas/FasL), analysis of the function and structure of Sertoli cells (respectively using transferrin and vimentin immunolabeling), and analysis of Sertoli-germ cell junctional molecule (β-catenin immunolabeling). The exposure to nicotine increased the FSH and LH plasmatic levels in adult rats. Although nicotine had not changed the number of apoptotic cells, neither in Fas nor FasL expression, it provoked an intense sloughing of epithelial cells and also altered the frequency of some stages of the seminiferous epithelium cycle. Transferrin and β-catenin expressions were not changed, but vimentin was significantly reduced in the early stages of the seminiferous cycle of the nicotine-exposed adult rats. Thus, we concluded that nicotine exposure during all gestational and lactation periods affects the structure of Sertoli cells by events causing intense germ cell sloughing observed in the tubular lumen and can compromise the fertility of the offspring.
Topics: Animals; Female; Gonadotropins; Lactation; Male; Nicotine; Pregnancy; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Rats; Sertoli Cells; Spermatogenesis; Testis
PubMed: 26556892
DOI: 10.1530/REP-15-0135 -
Cell Death & Disease Jun 2024Klinefelter syndrome (47,XXY) causes infertility with a testicular histology comprising two types of Sertoli cell-only tubules, representing mature and immature-like...
Klinefelter syndrome (47,XXY) causes infertility with a testicular histology comprising two types of Sertoli cell-only tubules, representing mature and immature-like Sertoli cells, and occasionally focal spermatogenesis. Here, we show that the immature-like Sertoli cells highly expressed XIST and had two X-chromosomes, while the mature Sertoli cells lacked XIST expression and had only one X-chromosome. Sertoli cells supporting focal spermatogenesis also lacked XIST expression and the additional X-chromosome, while the spermatogonia expressed XIST despite having only one X-chromosome. XIST was expressed in Sertoli cells until puberty, where a gradual loss was observed. Our results suggest that a micro-mosaic loss of the additional X-chromosome is needed for Sertoli cells to mature and to allow focal spermatogenesis.
Topics: Klinefelter Syndrome; Male; Sertoli Cells; Spermatogenesis; Animals; Humans; Mice; RNA, Long Noncoding; Chromosomes, Human, X; X Chromosome
PubMed: 38839795
DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06792-6 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Feb 2018Melatonin is a ubiquitous molecule and exhibits different effects in long-day and short-day breeding animals. Testosterone, the main resource of androgens in the testis,... (Review)
Review
Melatonin is a ubiquitous molecule and exhibits different effects in long-day and short-day breeding animals. Testosterone, the main resource of androgens in the testis, is produced by Leydig cells but regulated mainly by cytokine secreted by Sertoli cells. Melatonin acts as a local modulator of the endocrine activity in Leydig cells. In Sertoli cells, melatonin influences cellular proliferation and energy metabolism and, consequently, can regulate steroidogenesis. These suggest melatonin as a key player in the regulation of steroidogenesis. However, the melatonin-induced regulation of steroid hormones may differ among species, and the literature data indicate that melatonin has important effects on steroidogenesis and male reproduction.
Topics: Animals; Gonadal Steroid Hormones; Humans; Leydig Cells; Male; Melatonin; Reproduction; Sertoli Cells; Testosterone
PubMed: 29462985
DOI: 10.3390/molecules23020447 -
Experimental and Clinical... Nov 2021Stroke exacts a heavy toll on death and disability worldwide. In animal studies, cell transplant has shown a positive effect by inducing neurogenesis, angiogenesis, and...
OBJECTIVES
Stroke exacts a heavy toll on death and disability worldwide. In animal studies, cell transplant has shown a positive effect by inducing neurogenesis, angiogenesis, and modulating inflammation. Cell transplant therapy could provide researchers with new strategies for treating stroke. The mechanistic target of rapamycin is a central signaling pathway for coordination and control; the administration of rapamycin, a key modulator of this pathway, could be a new therapeutic approach in neurological disorders.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Adult rats were grouped into 5 main groups: control, sham, rapamycin receiving, Sertoli cell receiving, and rapamycin plus Sertoli cell receiving groups. Sertoli cells were taken from another rat tissue and injected into the right striatum region. After 5 days, ischemic induction was performed, and rapamycin injection (300 mg/kg) was performed 1 hour before surgery. After 24 hours, some regions of the brain, including the cortex, striatum, and piriform cortex-amygdala, were isolated for evaluation.
RESULTS
Our results showed that infarct volume, brain edema, and blood-brain barrier permeability assessments were significantly reduced in some areas of the brain in rats that received rapamycin plus Sertoli cells compared with results shown in the control group.
CONCLUSIONS
Pretreatment with Sertoli cell transplant plus rapamycin injection may enhance neural survival during ischemia through increased glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor and vascular endothelial growth factor, inhibiting the mechanistic target of rapamycin pathway and increasing autophagy performance.
Topics: Animals; Brain Ischemia; Cell Transplantation; Humans; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery; Ischemia; Male; Rats; Sertoli Cells; Sirolimus; Stroke; Treatment Outcome; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
PubMed: 34812711
DOI: 10.6002/ect.2021.0198 -
Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology Sep 2018It is conceivable that spermatid apico-basal polarity and spermatid planar cell polarity (PCP) are utmost important to support spermatogenesis. The orderly arrangement... (Review)
Review
It is conceivable that spermatid apico-basal polarity and spermatid planar cell polarity (PCP) are utmost important to support spermatogenesis. The orderly arrangement of developing germ cells in particular spermatids during spermiogenesis are essential to obtain structural and nutrient supports from the fixed number of Sertoli cells across the limited space of seminiferous epithelium in the tubules following Sertoli cell differentiation by ∼17 day postpartum (dpp) in rodents and ∼12 years of age at puberty in humans. Yet few studies are found in the literature to investigate the role of these proteins to support spermatogenesis. Herein, we briefly summarize recent findings in the field, in particular emerging evidence that supports the concept that apico-basal polarity and PCP are conferred by the corresponding polarity proteins through their effects on the actin- and microtubule (MT)-based cytoskeletons. While much research is needed to bridge our gaps of understanding cell polarity, cytoskeletal function, and signaling proteins, a critical evaluation of some latest findings as summarized herein provides some important and also thought-provoking concepts to design better functional experiments to address this important, yet largely expored, research topic.
Topics: Actins; Animals; Cell Polarity; Cytoskeleton; Humans; Male; Microtubules; Sertoli Cells; Spermatids; Testis
PubMed: 29410206
DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2018.01.013 -
Reproduction (Cambridge, England) Jul 2021Sertoli cells proliferate and construct seminiferous tubules during fetal life, then undergo differentiation and maturation in the prepubertal testes. In the adult...
Sertoli cells proliferate and construct seminiferous tubules during fetal life, then undergo differentiation and maturation in the prepubertal testes. In the adult testes, mature Sertoli cells maintain spermatogonia and support spermatogenesis during the entire lifetime. Although Sertoli-like cells have been derived from iPS cells, they tend to remain immature. To investigate whether Sertoli cells can spontaneously acquire the ability to support spermatogenesis when transferred into the adult testis, we transplanted mouse fetal testicular cells into a Sertoli-depleted adult testis. We found that donor E12.5, E14.5 and E16.5 Sertoli cells colonized adult seminiferous tubules and supported host spermatogenesis 2 months after transplantation, demonstrating that immature fetal Sertoli cells can undergo sufficient maturation in the adult testis to become functional. This technique will be useful to analyze the developmental process of Sertoli cell maturation and to investigate the potential of iPS-derived Sertoli cells to colonize, undergo maturation, and support spermatogenesis within the testis environment.
Topics: Animals; Cell Differentiation; Female; Fetus; Male; Mice; Pregnancy; Seminiferous Tubules; Sertoli Cells; Sexual Maturation; Spermatogenesis; Testis
PubMed: 34085952
DOI: 10.1530/REP-21-0106