Journal article
Transforming Growth Factorβ Gene Expression and Action in the Seminiferous Tubule: Peritubular Cell-Sertoli Cell Interactions
Molecular endocrinology (Baltimore, Md.), Vol.3(4), pp.625-634
04/1989
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/116226
PMID: 2725526
Abstract
The potential role of transforming growth factorβ (TGFβ) as a mediator of cell-cell interactions within the seminiferous tubule was investigated through an examination of the local production and action of TGFβ. Sertoli cells and peritubular (myoid) cells were isolated and cultured under serum-free conditions. Secreted proteins from Sertoli cells and peritubular cells were found to contain a component that bound to TGFβ receptors in RRA. Reverse-phase chromatography of Sertoli cell and peritubular cell secreted proteins fractionated a protein with similar biochemical properties as TGFβ1. This fractionated protein also contained TGFβ bioactivity in its ability to inhibit growth of an epidermal growth factor-dependent cell line. Both peritubular cells and Sertoli cells contained a 2.4 kilobase mRNA species that hybridized in a Northern blot analysis with a TGFβ1 cDNA probe. TGFβ1 gene expression was not detected in freshly isolated germ cells. TGFβ1 alone was not found to influence Sertoli cell nor peritubular cell proliferation with cells isolated from a midpubertal stage of development. The effects of hormones and TGFβ on Sertoli cell differentiation and function were assessed through an examination of transferrin production by Sertoli cells. TGFβ1 had no effect on transferrin production nor the ability of hormones to influence transferrin production. The presence of peritubular cells in a coculture with Sertoli cells also did not affect the inability of TGFβ1 to act on Sertoli cells. Although Sertoli cell function did not appear to be influenced by TGFβ1 peritubular cells responded to TGFβ1 through an increase in the production of a number of radiolabeled secreted proteins. TGFβ1 also had relatively rapid effects on peritubular cell migration and the promotion of colony formation in culture. Cocultures of Sertoli cells and peritubular cells responded to TGFβ1 by the formation of large cell clusters with ball-like structures. Data indicate that TGFβ may have an important role in influencing the differentiation and migration of peritubular cells. Observations demonstrate the local production of TGFβ within the seminiferous tubule by Sertoli cells and peritubular cells and suggest that TGFβ may have a role as a paracrineautocrine factor involved in the maintenance of testicular function.
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Details
- Title
- Transforming Growth Factorβ Gene Expression and Action in the Seminiferous Tubule: Peritubular Cell-Sertoli Cell Interactions
- Creators
- Michael K SkinnerHarold L Moses
- Publication Details
- Molecular endocrinology (Baltimore, Md.), Vol.3(4), pp.625-634
- Academic Unit
- Biological Sciences, School of
- Identifiers
- 99900547822901842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article