Human testicular peritubular cells secrete pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), which may be responsible for the avascularity of the seminiferous tubules

Scientific Reports
S WindschüttlA Mayerhofer

Abstract

Male fertility depends on spermatogenesis, which takes place in the seminiferous tubules of the testis. This compartment is devoid of blood vessels, which are however found in the wall of the seminiferous tubules. Our proteomic study using cultured human testicular peritubular cells (HTPCs) i.e. the cells, which form this wall, revealed that they constitutively secrete pigment epithelium-derived factor, PEDF, which is known to exert anti-angiogenic actions. Immunohistochemistry supports its presence in vivo, in the human tubular wall. Co-culture studies and analysis of cell migration patterns showed that human endothelial cells (HUVECs) are repulsed by HTPCs. The factor involved is likely PEDF, as a PEDF-antiserum blocked the repulsing action. Thus testicular peritubular cells, via PEDF, may prevent vascularization of human seminiferous tubules. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) increased PEDF (qPCR) in HTPCs, however PEDF expression in the testis of a non-human primate occurs before puberty. Thus PEDF could be involved in the establishment of the avascular nature of seminiferous tubules and after puberty androgens may further reinforce this feature. Testicular microvessels and blood flow are known to contribute to the spermatogonial s...Continue Reading

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Citations

Dec 21, 2018·Andrologia·Artur MayerhoferHarald Welter
Sep 22, 2018·International Journal of Molecular Sciences·Katja EublerArtur Mayerhofer

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Methods Mentioned

BETA
biopsy
FCS
biopsies
PCR
Assay

Software Mentioned

Chemotaxis and Migration Tool
Manager
GraphPad
Micro
Spot advanced
ImageJ
GraphPad Prism

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