Mast-cell products can stimulate fibroblast proliferation, implying that these cells are key players in fibrosis. One mast-cell product, the serine protease tryptase, is known to activate protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) and cause proliferation of fibroblasts. We found that recombinant tryptase, human mastcell (HMC-1) supernatant, which contains tryptase, and the PAR2-activating peptide SLIGKV exert fibroproliferative actions in human fibroblasts. Here we report insights into this action, which after activation of PAR2 leads to increased expression of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2), a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of prostaglandins, and consequently to enhanced prostaglandin synthesis. Subsequent cell proliferation is mediated by the prostaglandin 15-deoxy-⌬ 12,14 -prostaglandin J2, which acts via the nuclear peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ␥ (PPAR␥). Fibroblast proliferation induced by tryptase and PAR2 agonist peptide can be blocked by antagonists of COX2 and PPAR␥, implying that the proliferative effect of tryptase is PAR2-initiated but depends on COX2, 15-deoxy-⌬ 12,14 -prostaglandin J2, and PPAR␥. This previously uncharacterized pathway could be of relevance for human fibrotic diseases. For instance, increased numbers of activated mast cells are correlated with fibrosis in testes of infertile men. In these cases all components of the signaling pathway of tryptase were detected as well as expression of COX2. Therefore, our study describes as-yet-unknown interactions between mast cells and fibroblasts, which could be relevant for human fibrotic diseases.

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We conclude that human peritubular cells are a novel model for the investigation of paracrine, including mast cell initiated, interactions in the human testis, which will allow the study of fibrotic processes underlying male idiopathic infertility.

Peritubular cells in testes of normal and sub-/infertile men produce GDNF and are likely constitutive contributors of the SSC niche in the human testis.

The data indicate that the increase in testicular DCN found in male infertility is a consequence of actions of MC-derived tryptase. We propose that the increases in DCN may consequently imbalance the paracrine signaling pathways in human testis.