Expression and Distribution of Laminin Chains in the Testis for Patients With Azoospermia

Abstract

The aim of our study was to investigate the relationships between the expression of laminin in the testis and spermatogenesis, and the basement membrane (BM) of testicular tubules in fertile and infertile men. Testicular tissue samples were collected from the testes of 9 patients with obstructive azoospermia (OA), 9 patients with maturation arrest (MA), and 15 patients with Sertoli cell-only syndrome (SCO). In testicular tissue, laminin was identified by staining with polyclonal antibodies. Serum folliclestimulating hormone (FSH), lutenizing hormone (LH), and testosterone were determined by chemiluminescence assays. In seminal plasma, laminin was estimated using a double-antibody enzyme immunoassay. BM thickness was significantly correlated with testicular tubule diameter (r 5 20.49, P 5 .004) and FSH (r 5 0.52, P 5 .008). The b2 chain of laminin was most expressed on the inner BM of testicular tubules. The laminin index for the b2 chain in SCO was significantly higher than in OA (P , .0001) and MA (P 5 .03). The mean seminal laminin levels in SCO were significantly lower than in OA (P , .001). We demonstrated that overabundance of the b2 chain of laminin is associated with increased BM thickness and is possibly related to spermatogenic dysfunction.

In silicoanalysis of candidate proteins sharing homology withStreptococcus agalactiaeproteins and their role in male infertility

“…Based on the previous studies, these two proteins contribute to the virulence properties of S. agalactiae and are associated with sperm functions. Hence, three proteins namely DNA binding response regulator protein (217 AA length), laminin binding protein (287 AA length), and hyaluronate lyase protein (814 AA length) were further studied [Baker and Pritchard 2000;Li and Jedrzejas 2001;Galperin 2006;Ooba et al 2008;Cheng et al 2011].…”

“…Its propensity towards protein-protein interactions has led to a key role in mediating chemotaxis and regulatory pathways [Galperin 2006]. Similarly, laminin binding protein present in the extracellular matrix has the ability to interact with β1-integrin, thus, helping the spermatogonial cells to adhere to it in order to carry out spermatogenesis [Ooba et al 2008;Cheng et al 2011]. Hyaluronate lyase is one among the vital virulence factors in the GBS bacteria.…”

Antibodies Against Laminin-1 and Sperm, Intraacrosomal Proteins in Semen from Infertile Couples

“…The laminin a chain has been detected in testis during spermatogenesis suggesting a very important role in spermatozoa [Dirami et al 1995;Takaba 1990;Häger et al 2005;Ooba et al 2008]. Ooba et al [2008] showed that overabundance of the beta-2-chain of laminin is associated with increased basement membrane thickness related to spermatogenic dysfunction [Vuolteenaho et al 1990].…”

“…Ooba et al [2008] showed that overabundance of the beta-2-chain of laminin is associated with increased basement membrane thickness related to spermatogenic dysfunction [Vuolteenaho et al 1990]. Experiments in animal models [Carey and Klein 1989;Weeks et al 1989;Chambers et al 1995;Kondo et al 2005] described the effect of anti-laminin-1 antibodies in repeated reproductive failure as direct embryo cytotoxicity, and repeated spontaneous miscarriages in the first trimester.…”

Postinflammation stage of autoimmune orchitis induced by immunization with syngeneic testicular germ cells alone in mice

“…[1][2][3] Previous studies demonstrated that, in some cases of idiopathic spermatogenic disturbance, immunoglobulins and complements on the thickened basement membrane of seminiferous tubules were present in testis biopsy specimens, indicating that some infl ammatory or immunological factors are involved in the lesions. [4][5][6][7][8] However, testicular biopsy specimens from men with aspermatogenesis of immunological origin are supposed to represent the late stage of the pathological process (= postactive infl ammation stage), in which the infi ltration of lymphocytes has already ceased and only the spermatogenic disturbance remains. Schuppe and colleagues emphasized that autoimmune orchitis may be more often involved than has been suspected previously in cases of idiopathic male infertility with immune reactants no longer detectable in the testes.…”