Journal
HISTOCHEMISTRY AND CELL BIOLOGY
Volume 126, Issue 2, Pages 199-211Publisher
SPRINGER
DOI: 10.1007/s00418-006-0155-8
Keywords
Differentiation; Human testis; Leydig cells; MA-10 cells; NGF; Neurotrophins
Categories
Funding
- Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft [DA 459/1-1, MI 637/1-1]
- Bundesministerium fur Bildung und Forschung [01 KY 9103/0]
- Verein zur Forderung der Forschung auf dem Gebiete der Fortpflanzung e.V.
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Previous studies have demonstrated local functions for neurotrophins in the developing and mature testis of rodents. To examine whether these signaling molecules are present and also potentially active in the human testis, we characterized immunohistochemically the expression and cellular localization of the known neurotrophins and their receptors during prenatal testicular development as well as in the adult human testis. Results obtained revealed the presence of nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor, neurotrophin-3 and 4, as well as neurotrophin receptors p75 NTR, TrkA, TrkB, and TrkC during testis morphogenesis. These proteins were also detectable in the adult human testis, and their local expression could be confirmed largely by immunoblot and RT-PCR analyses. Remarkably, the Leydig cells were found to represent the predominant neurotrophin/receptor expression sites within both fetal and adult human testes. Functional assays performed with a mouse tumor Leydig cell line revealed that NGF exposure increases cellular steroid production, indicating a role in differentiation processes. These findings support previously-recognized neuronal characteristics of Leydig cells, provide additional evidence for potential roles of neurotrophins during testis morphogenesis and in the mature testis, and demonstrate for the first time a neurotrophin-induced functional activity in Leydig cells.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available