50 years of spermatogenesis: Sertoli cells and their interactions with germ cells

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p>The complex morphology of the Sertoli cells and their interactions with germ cells has been a focus of investigators since they were first described by Enrico Sertoli. In the past 50 years, information on Sertoli cells has transcended morphology alone to become increasingly more focused on molecular questions. The goal of investigators has been to understand the role of the Sertoli cells in spermatogenesis and to apply that information to problems relating to male fertility. Sertoli cells are unique in that they are a nondividing cell population that is active for the reproductive lifetime of the animal and cyclically change morphology and gene expression. The numerous and distinctive junctional complexes and membrane specializations made by Sertoli cells provide a scaffold and environment for germ cell development. The increased focus of investigators on the molecular components and putative functions of testicular cells has resulted primarily from procedures that isolate specific cell types from the testicular milieu. Products of Sertoli cells that influence germ cell development and vice versa have been characterized from cultured cells and from the application of transgenic technologies. Germ cell transplantation has shown that the Sertoli cells respond to cues from germ cells with regard to developmental timing and has furthered a focus on spermatogenic stem cells and the stem cell niche. Very basic and universal features of spermatogenesis such as the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium and the spermatogenic wave are initiated by Sertoli cells and maintained by Sertoli-germ cell cooperation.</jats:p>

The Dynamic Transcriptional Cell Atlas of Testis Development during Human Puberty

“…Analysis of Sertoli maturation via pseudotime and differential gene expression revealed dynamic expression of $1,000 genes ( Figure S3F) that differ between the immature and mature stages. As expected, genes associated with cytoskeleton, cell morphogenesis, and extracellular matrix were upregulated during Sertoli maturation (Griswold, 2018; Figure S3F). Genes encoding antimicrobial innate immunity peptides (including the defensin class of peptides) and immunity-related genes (e.g., ISG15) were also upregulated during puberty ( Figures 3F, 3G, and S3G), supporting a role for Sertoli cells in protecting the testis from infection (Com et al, 2003), especially after sexual maturation.…”

miR‐130a promotes immature porcine Sertoli cell growth by activating SMAD5 through the TGF‐β‐PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

“…As puberty approaches, Sertoli cells undergo a radical change in the morphology and function, heralding the switch from an immature, proliferative state, to a mature, non-proliferative state (ie, morphological changes including enlarged and tripartite nucleolus, loss of proliferative activity, formation of the blood-testis barrier, and upregulation or appearance of mature makers). 4,5 Then, the mature Sertoli cells play crucial roles in spermatogenesis as nurse like cells, which provide morphogenetic support and stable microenvironment as well as secrete multiple growth factors to guarantee the development and maturation of spermatozoa. 6 However, each Sertoli cell has a fixed capacity to provide support for the differentiating germ cells, which indicates that the capacity of Sertoli cell proliferation is a key determinant for normal spermatogenesis.…”

BRG1 Is Dispensable for Sertoli Cell Development and Functions in Mice

“…Of these supporting cell types, Leydig cells, peritubular myoid cells, fibroblasts, and macrophages all locate at interstitium or immediately outside the seminiferous tubules. The exception is Sertoli cells, which stay within the tubules and interact directly with germ cells at various stages of spermatogenesis [1][2][3]. In mouse, Sertoli cells originally develop from SF1+ gonadal precursors at 11.5-12.5 days post coitum (dpc), marked with the expression of SOX9 and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) [4,5].…”