Mast cells in human testicular biopsies from patients with mixed atrophy: increased numbers, heterogeneity, and expression of cyclooxygenase 2 and prostaglandin D2 synthase

Welter, Harald; Köhn, F.-M.; Mayerhofer, Artur

doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2011.05.035

Cited by 43 publications

(42 citation statements)

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“…Human testicular samples/Isolation and culture of human testicular peritubular cells and treatment Biopsies were fixed in Bouin's solution, embedded in paraffin and were processed routinely for immunohistochemical studies (17 in total, three with normal spermatogenesis and 14 patients with MA; Welter et al, 2011). Seven MA patients were immunostained for Cal and 14 MA patients were subjected to MYH11 and cGKI immune reactions.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In MA samples, they were recently identified to express the PG-rate-limiting enzyme COX-2 (Welter et al, 2011). Furthermore, a metabolite of PG metabolism, 15dPGJ2, is present in human testes in states of infertility (Kampfer et al, 2012) and evoked striking effects in cultured HTPCs, whereas several other PGs were not effective.…”

Section: Partial Loss Of Contractile Marker Proteinsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Systemic factor, that is, hormonal influences are highly variable between the patients, yet can be ruled out as a cause for the heterogenous morphological changes within the individual samples. Thus, if changes are present, local factors are most likely involved and could include a PG metabolite (Welter et al, 2011;Kampfer et al, 2012). Using these and normal samples, we investigated the expression patterns of three molecules essential for contraction (MYH11, Cal) and relaxation (cGKI) in vivo.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Partial loss of contractile marker proteins in human testicular peritubular cells in infertility patients

et al. 2012

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SUMMARYFibrotic remodelling of the testicular tubular wall is common in human male infertility caused by impaired spermatogenesis. We hypothesized that this morphological change bears witness of an underlying fundamentally altered state of the cells building this wall, that is, peritubular smooth muscle-like cells. This could include a loss of the contractile abilities of these cells and thus be a factor in male infertility. Immune cells are increased in the tubular wall in these cases, hence local immune cell-related factors, including a prostaglandin (PG) metabolite may be involved. To explore these points in the human, we used testicular biopsies, in which tubules with normal spermatogenesis and impaired spermatogenesis are next to each other [mixed atrophy (MA)], normal biopsies and cultured human testicular peritubular cells. Proteins essential for contraction, myosin heavy chain (MYH11), calponin (Cal) and relaxation, cGMP-dependent protein kinase 1 (cGKI), were readily detected by immunohistochemistry and were equally distributed in all peritubular cells of biopsies with normal spermatogenesis. In all biopsies, vascular smooth muscle cells also stained and served as important intrinsic controls, which showed that in MA samples when spermatogenesis was impaired, staining was restricted to only few peritubular cells or was absent. When spermatogenesis was normal, regular peritubular staining became obvious. This pattern suggests complex regulatory influences, which in face of the identical systemic hormonal situation in MA patients, are likely caused by the local testicular micromilieu. The PG metabolite 15dPGJ2 may represent such a factor and it reduced Cal protein levels in peritubular cells from patients with/without impaired spermatogenesis. The documented phenotypic switch of peritubular, smooth muscle-like cells in MA patients may impair the abilities of the afflicted seminiferous tubules to contract and relax and must now be considered as a part of the complex events in male infertility.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Partial Loss Of Contractile Marker Proteinsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Partial loss of contractile marker proteins in human testicular peritubular cells in infertility patients

et al. 2012

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“…They are also most probably derived from mast cells, albeit only in certain states of partial degenerating of seminiferous tubules. In these 'mixed-atrophy' samples, tryptase-positive mast cells express the prostaglandinsynthesizing enzyme cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2) (Welter et al 2011). The actions of prostaglandins in the human testis remain to be explored (for review, see Schell et al (2007Schell et al ( , 2010 and Kampfer et al (2012)).…”

Section: Htpcs Secrete the Neurotropic Factors (Pro)ngf And Gdnfmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Thus, mast cell-specific genes are strikingly and robustly increased in testes samples from infertile men (Spiess et al 2007). Immunohistochemistry combined with morphometric studies and electron microscopy revealed that activated mast cells specifically accumulate in the wall of those seminiferous tubules, which display impaired spermatogenesis (Meineke et al 2000, Frungieri et al 2002a, Welter et al 2011. Tryptase is a prototype mast cell marker and the number of tryptase-immunoreactive mast cells was positively correlated with the thickness (i.e.…”

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confidence: 99%

Human testicular peritubular cells: more than meets the eye

2013

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In healthy men, several layers of inconspicuously flat cells and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins build the wall of the seminiferous tubules. The cells of this wall, peritubular cells, are not well characterized. They are smooth-muscle-like and contractile and transport immotile sperm, a function important for male fertility. However, their full functional importance, especially their potential contribution to the paracrine regulation of the male gonad, is unknown. In men with impaired spermatogenesis, the architecture of the tubular wall is frequently altered. Deposits of ECM and morphological changes of peritubular cells imply that functions of peritubular cells may be fundamentally altered. To be able to study human peritubular cells and their functions, a culture method was established. It is based on small biopsies of patients with obstructive azoospermia but normal spermatogenesis (human testicular peritubular cells, HTPCs) and non-obstructive azoospermia, impaired spermatogenesis, and testicular fibrosis (HTPCFs). Results obtained from cellular studies and parallel examinations of biopsies provide insights into the repertoire of the secretion products, contractile properties, and plasticity of human peritubular cells. They produce ECM components, including the proteoglycan decorin, which may influence paracrine signaling between testicular cells. They may contribute to the spermatogonial stem cell niche via secreted factors. They are regulated by mast cell and macrophage products, and in response produce factors that can fuel inflammatory changes. They possess a high degree of plasticity, which results in hypertrophy and loss of contractile abilities. The data collectively indicate important roles of inconspicuous testicular peritubular cells in human male fertility and infertility.Reproduction (2013) 145 R107-R116

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Alcohol extract of Bauhinia forficata link reduces lipid peroxidation in the testis and epididymis of adult Wistar rats

Sampaio

Lucchetta

Punhagui

et al. 2018

Microscopy Res & Technique

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Bauhinia forficata is a medicinal plant that has flavonoid components with hypoglycemic, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, antibacterial, antiviral and anti‐inflammatory action. Aim of this study is to evaluate the action of B. forficata alcoholic extract in the male genital system of adult male Wistar rats. For that, 20 adult male Wistar rats were distributed into two experimental groups: the B. forficata group, receiving B. forficata alcoholic extract (0.1 ml/10 g body weight/day) on alternate days, and the control group, receiving just the vehicle for 30 days straight both via gavage. On the 31st day, the animals were euthanized, and the testis and epididymis were collected for histopathological, biochemical, morphometric, and sperm count analysis. Mass spectrometry identified new compounds in the extract: trans‐caffeic acid, liquiritigenin, gallocatechin, and 2,4,6‐trihydroxyphenanthren‐2‐glycoside. Biochemical analysis showed higher total cholesterol levels in the testis and lower malondialdehyde levels in the testis and epididymis, in the B. forficata group. The mast cell count showed a reduction in degranulated mast cells in the caput region of the epididymis, in the B. forficata group. The luminal compartment of the caput and the epithelial of the epididymis cauda were reduced, whereas the stromal region of the epididymis caput was increased in the B. forficata group, compared with the control group. The testicular tissue was less impaired, considering that all the histological analyses were similar to the control. We believe that B. forficata alcoholic extract in the male genital system showed antioxidant action, especially in the epididymal tissue.

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Mast cells in human testicular biopsies from patients with mixed atrophy: increased numbers, heterogeneity, and expression of cyclooxygenase 2 and prostaglandin D2 synthase

Cited by 43 publications

References 21 publications

Partial loss of contractile marker proteins in human testicular peritubular cells in infertility patients

Partial loss of contractile marker proteins in human testicular peritubular cells in infertility patients

Human testicular peritubular cells: more than meets the eye

Alcohol extract of Bauhinia forficata link reduces lipid peroxidation in the testis and epididymis of adult Wistar rats

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