Article
Developmental Biology
Yi Jacky Peng, Xinyu Thomas Tang, Hui Sophie Shu, Wenjie Dong, Hongfang Shao, Bo O. Zhou
Summary: The study found that testicular stromal cells, including Sertoli, endothelial, Leydig, smooth muscle, and Tcf21-CreER+ stromal cells, express stem cell factor (SCF), an essential growth factor for spermatogenesis. Undifferentiated and differentiating spermatogonia were associated with SCF-expressing Sertoli cells. Conditional deletion of SCF from Sertoli cells blocked the differentiation of spermatogonia, leading to male infertility. Conditional overexpression of SCF in Sertoli cells significantly increased spermatogenesis.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Wei Yang, Li-Bo Liu, Feng-Liang Liu, Yan-Hua Wu, Zi-Da Zhen, Dong-Ying Fan, Zi-Yang Sheng, Zheng-Ran Song, Jia-Tong Chang, Yong-Tang Zheng, Jing An, Pei-Gang Wang
Summary: Through single-cell RNA sequencing of ZIKV-infected mouse testes, it is found that spermatogenic cells, especially spermatogonia, are vulnerable to ZIKV infection. The complement system genes are significantly upregulated in infiltrated S100A4 + monocytes/macrophages. Complement activation and testicular damage are verified in ZIKV-infected macaques and the complement inhibitor C1INH and S100A4 inhibitors sulindac and niclosamide are tested. C1INH alleviates testicular pathology but worsens ZIKV infection, while niclosamide effectively reduces infiltration, inhibits complement activation, alleviates testicular damage, and improves fertility. This discovery highlights the importance of male reproductive health protection during future ZIKV epidemics.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Weiqi Sun, Fang Tian, Hongjie Pan, Xiuli Chang, Minjie Xia, Jingying Hu, Yuzhu Wang, Runsheng Li, Weihua Li, Mingjun Yang, Zhijun Zhou
Summary: This study systematically explored the male reproductive toxicity of FLC and found that it caused testicular dysfunction and damage in mice, leading to abnormal spermatogenesis and decreased sperm quality. The potential mechanisms include interference with spermatogonial proliferation and meiosis, as well as apoptosis and mitochondrial damage in testicular Sertoli cells.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Liza O'Donnell, Lee B. Smith, Diane Rebourcet
Summary: Sertoli cells play essential roles in spermatogenesis, supporting germ cell development and regulating other testis somatic cells. They are crucial for maintaining the stem cell niche, facilitating meiosis and spermiogenesis, and regulating androgen production.
SEMINARS IN CELL & DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Rachel L. Washburn, Taylor Hibler, Lea Ann Thompson, Gurvinder Kaur, Jannette M. Dufour
Summary: Sertoli cells, as immune privileged cells in the testis, provide immune protection to maturing germ cells. They have potential therapeutic applications in creating tolerogenic environments, protecting co-grafted cells, and delivering therapeutic proteins through gene therapy. Studies have shown their potential use in treating diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders, and restoration of spermatogenesis.
SEMINARS IN CELL & DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bo Liu, Chao Liu, Binfang Ma, Ruidan Zhang, Zhiwei Zhao, Sai Xiao, Wanjun Cao, Yanjie Ma, Guozhang Zhu, Wei Li, Zhen Li
Summary: The study reveals the essential role of PA1 in maintaining blood-testis barrier (BTB) integrity in Sertoli cells and regulating the expression of BTB construction-related genes through transcription factors. This newly discovered mechanism in Sertoli cells provides a potential diagnostic and therapeutic target for individuals with azoospermia.
CELL AND BIOSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Keyan Ma, Nana Chen, Huihui Wang, Qiao Li, Huibin Shi, Manchun Su, Yong Zhang, Youji Ma, Taotao Li
Summary: This study demonstrates that the BMP4 gene affects testicular development and spermatogenesis in Tibetan sheep by regulating Sertoli cells and the blood-testis barrier. Overexpression of BMP4 promotes proliferation and gene expression in Sertoli cells, while reducing apoptosis-related gene expression. These findings provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of Tibetan sheep testicular development.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Junjie Xu, Mengmeng Sang, Jinmei Cheng, Chunhai Luo, Jie Shi, Fei Sun
Summary: In this study, the role of DAAM2 in cytoskeleton and phagocytosis of rat Sertoli cells was investigated through siRNA transfection and intratesticular injection. Knockdown of DAAM2 attenuated marker expression related to cytoskeleton and tight junction, as well as the integrity of Sertoli cell monolayer. Loss of DAAM2 in rats resulted in disarrangement and deformation of sperms, accumulation of apoptotic sperms, and abnormalities in the blood-testis barrier, indicating its involvement in spermatogenesis.
MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cinthia Castro do Nascimento, Odair Aguiar, Gustavo Monteiro Viana, Vania D'Almeida
Summary: Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I) is a lysosomal storage disease caused by a mutation in the IDUA gene, leading to the accumulation of GAGs in cells and affecting cell and tissue physiology. Studies have shown damage in the testes of MPS I mice, with signs of cell injury and impaired substrate degradation pathways. Idua plays a critical role in maintaining testicular structure, potentially impacting spermatogenesis.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Yuan Yang, Guoqing Fu, Xueyi Zhao, Xiaoping Wu, Kaili Zhu, Shangyu Liu, Ding Yuan, Jie Wu, Ting Wang, Changcheng Zhang, Haixia Zhao
Summary: PFOA disrupts tight junction function in Sertoli cells by blocking autophagic flux, leading to male reproductive toxicity. This finding provides clues for effective prevention and treatment of PFOA-induced male reproductive toxicity.
FOOD AND CHEMICAL TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Reneilwe A. Molele, Mohamed A. A. Mahdy, Musa Zakariah, Mohammed I. A. Ibrahim, Geoffrey T. Fosgate, Geoffrey Brown
Summary: Using Japanese quail as a model, this study examined testicular tissues from pre-pubertal, pubertal, adult, and aged stages, revealing significant differences in Sertoli cell number, luminal diameter, epithelial height, seminiferous tubular diameter, and cross-sectional area among different age groups. Additionally, moderate correlations were observed between Sertoli cell number and epithelial height, tubular diameter, and cross-sectional area in different age groups.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Vanmathy R. Kasimanickam, Ramanathan K. Kasimanickam
Summary: This study found that the expressions of spermatogenesis-associated genes are not enhanced with the increase of Sertoli, Leydig, and spermatogonial cell numbers during testis development in dogs. Compared to immature testis, the gene expressions of specific markers for these cells were downregulated in adult testis. The results suggest that changes in gene expressions show functional significance rather than a direct correlation with cell numbers.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Likun Gao, Xi Xiong, Chen Chen, Pengcheng Luo, Jing Li, Xiang Gao, Lizhi Huang, Lili Li
Summary: Nanoplastics and microplastics have different impacts on reproductive toxicity in mice, with microplastics causing more severe reproductive toxicity, including spermatogenesis disorders, oxidative stress, and testis inflammation. Transmission electron microscopy revealed different effects of the two types of plastics on different cell types. Transcriptomic sequencing analysis provided insights into the differential effects of nanoplastics and microplastics on cellular processes.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sachiko Shiba, Kazuhiro Ikeda, Kuniko Horie-Inoue, Kotaro Azuma, Tomoka Hasegawa, Norio Amizuka, Tomoaki Tanaka, Toshihiko Takeiwa, Yasuaki Shibata, Takehiko Koji, Satoshi Inoue
Summary: Research has shown that GGCX activity plays a crucial role in Sertoli cells, promoting spermatogenesis by regulating the intercellular connection between Sertoli cells and germ cells.
MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yu Hu, Han Hu, Ling Yin, Li Wang, KeYan Luo, NanJian Luo
Summary: The death of Sertoli cells (SCs) under heat stress (HS) affects spermatogenesis and the blood-testis barrier (BTB). Excessive release of arachidonic acid (AA) during HS damages testicular morphology and accelerates SC apoptosis, reducing the stability of tight junction proteins (TJPs). AA adversely affects TJPs through the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA), activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (P38 MAPK), and reduction of mitochondrial function. However, pretreatment with inhibitors reversed the degradation of TJPs and protected against AA-induced damage, suggesting the involvement of the mitochondrial complex-ROS-P38 MAPK axis.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2023)
