Nestin, a neuroectodermal stem cell marker molecule, is expressed in Leydig cells of the human testis and in some specific cell types from human testicular tumours

Abstract

The intermediate filament protein nestin is predominantly expressed in some stem/progenitor cells and appears to be a useful molecular tool to characterise tumours originating from precursor cells of neuroectodermal and mesenchymal lineages. Leydig cells originate in the adult testis by differentiation from stem cells and express a variety of neural and neuroendocrine markers. The possible expression of the neural stem cell marker nestin in Leydig cells and testicular tumour cells was determined by analysing the patterns of nestin expression in normal and pathological human testes by Western blot and immunohistochemical methods. In normal testis, nestin was found in some vascular endothelial cells, a subset of peritubular spindle-shaped cells and some Leydig cells; spermatogenic and Sertoli cells were unstained. In normal Leydig cells, nestin was distributed in the perinuclear cytoplasm and accumulated in the crystalloids of Reinke with ageing. In non-tumour pathologies (cryptorchidism, impaired spermatogenesis), the seminiferous tubules were immunonegative, whereas hyperplastic Leydig cells showed cytoplasmic immunolabelling. In testicular malignancies, nestin was localised in the Sertoli cells of the seminiferous tubules affected with intratubular germ cell neoplasia, in the hyperplastic Leydig cells associated with these tumours and in some components (mesenchymal and neuroepithelial cells) of teratomas; spermatocytic and non-spermatocytic seminomas were unstained. Some vascular endothelial cells were immunolabelled in all tumour samples. Thus, nestin is expressed in a population of normal and hyperplastic Leydig cells and in Sertoli cells in the presence of intratubular germ-cell neoplasia. Nestin may be a good marker for identifying components of testicular teratomas.

Reinke´s Crystals in Perivascular and Peritubular Leydig Cells

“…Some investigators speculate that this crystal is a by-product of steroidogenesis and the production of testosterone. 19,52,53 Indeed, crystals could arise from products of Leydig cells metabolism that progressively accumulate within the cytoplasm of these cells. The definitive, rod-shaped hexagonal crystal, is, very likely, preceded by some smaller and more irregular forms.…”

“…[18][19][20] Recent immunohistochemical data indicate the presence of cytoskeletal protein nestin. 53 Therefore, one can speculate that the crystal is a deposit of cytoskeletal elements. If these are linked to steroidogenesis and testosterone production is obscure.…”

Malignant Leydig Cell Tumor with Spindle-Shaped Cells in a Male CD-1 Mouse

“…On the basis of previous literature and our finding, we think that immunoreactivity of tumor cells towards aSMA, inhibin, S-100, and nestin in our mouse reflects a dedifferentiation of Leydig cells. This hypothesis is supported by the fact that nestin has been found in a subset of peritubular spindle-shaped cells and in a population of normal and reactive Leydig cells [9].…”

Transcription of platelet-derived growth factor receptor in Leydig cells involves specificity protein 1 and 3

“…However, the origin of the primordial stem cells and consequently the Leydig cells remains unclear. Two sources have been proposed: the mesoderm (mesonephrogenic mesenchyme or coelomic epithelium) (Buehr et al 1993, Karl & Capel 1998, Merchant-Larios & Moreno--Mendoza 1998, Schmahl et al 2000 and ectoderm (neural crest) (Mayerhofer et al 1992, Davidoff et al 2004, Lobo et al 2004. Both theories are consistent with the mesenchymal-like morphology of the Leydig stem cells.…”