The rat testis produces large amounts of an interleukin-1-like factor

Homogenates of whole testis, isolated seminiferous tubules, testicular cytosol, conditioned media from seminiferous tubules obtained from intact or cryptorchid rats, as well as seminiferous tubules devoid of peritubular cells, showed high concentrations of interleukin-1 (IL-1). Cytosol from spleen showed low IL-1 activity, while no activity was found in cytosol from heart, kidney, prostate, ovary or liver. Interleukin-1 activity was not detected in spent medium from cultures of immature Sertoli cells (10-day-old rats) or from peritubular cells or in homogenates of interstitial cells from adult rats. Ultrogel AcA 44 gel chromatography and HPLC size exclusion chromatography exhibited a single peak of IL-1 activity corresponding to a relative molecular mass of 17,000-20,000 (Mr = 17-20 K). Similarly, chromatofocusing revealed only one peak of activity with an apparent isoelectric point of 5-6. It is concluded that the rat testis contains large amounts of an IL-1 alpha-like factor. The adult Sertoli cell or possibly germ cells are suggested as its primary source. Testicular IL-1-like activity is of particular interest in view of the intense cell proliferation during spermatogenesis, and the tendency to testicular relapse of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.     

Molecular identity, expression and functional analysis of interleukin-lα and its isoforms in rat testis

Interleukin-1α(IL-1α) is a proinflammatory cytokine that has also been found to act as a paracrine mediator involved in the regulation of testicular functions. The present review provides an overview of the role of IL-1α in testicular physiology. Bioactive IL-1α isolated from adult rat testis was found to consist of three distinct immunoreactive protein species with apparent sizes of 45, 24 and 19 kDa. These isoforms showed bioactivity in athymocyte proliferation and steroidogenesis assays with different biopotencies. The background of the molecular heterogeneity and processing, secretion and regulation of the isoforms of testicular IL-1α are discussed. All three isoforms have been found to be secreted into the testis tubular lumen and interstitial space. We have provided evidence that IL- 1α is a paracrine factor that may be of importance in, e.g., the regulation of Leydig cell steroidogenesis.Pathophysiologically, testicular IL-1α may contribute to testicular relapse of acute lymphocytic leukemia in boys.     

The affection of the nervous system in patients with malignant tumor of testis

Clinical observations of intracranial metastases of seminoma testis were performed together with studying of their morphological types and cerebral localization.     

Lymphatic system of the human testis]

The distribution of lymph vessels in the human testis was investigated using ink injection methods, light and electron microscopy. Lymph capillaries occur in the septula testis but are absent in the intertubular tissue. They consist of endothelial cells provided with an incomplete basal lamina and bound by anchoring filaments to the adjacent connective tissue. Frequently, the endothelial cells are separated by gaps (measuring up to 2 microns). The lymph capillaries of the septula testis are connected to lymph vessels in the rete testis and tunica albuginea. These vessels have occasional smooth muscle cells and valves. At the posterior margin of the testis, the network of lymphatics merges into collecting ducts that together with vessels derived from the rete testis are drained by lymphatics in the spermatic cord.     

The effect of interleukin-1 and interleukin-2 on the adrenergic control of hormone-sensitive lipase in the human adipocyte

The effect of interleukin-1 and interleukin-2 on lipolysis and the adrenergic control of lipolysis was studied. Biopsy specimens of human adipose tissue were incubated in media containing 3H-palmitate and 14C-glucose, and the ratio of these isotopes was used to determine adipocyte lipolysis. Isoproterenol, clonidine, and theophylline were used in the media to stimulate the beta 1- and alpha 2-receptors and the subreceptor mechanism, respectively. Interleukin-1 had no effect on basal lipolysis, and at maximal receptor stimulation, it had no effect on the adrenergic receptor control of lipolysis. Interleukin-2 had no effect on basal lipolysis or on the beta-adrenergic receptor. Interleukin-2 significantly (p less than 0.02) decreased the alpha 2-inhibition of lipolysis by 68%. The effect of interleukin-2 on the alpha-receptor was demonstrated to be a significant 45% decrease (p less than 0.03) in the receptor responsiveness (a measure of the postreceptor mechanism) with no alteration in receptor sensitivity (a measure of receptor number). This data suggest that interleukin-2 stimulates lipolysis by decreasing the alpha 2-adrenergic inhibition of hormone-sensitive lipase.     

Changes in interleukin-1 and interleukin-2 in scalded rats

The function of lymphocytes and macrophages after a 20% full-thickness scald injuries in a rat model was observed. After injuries, no significant change was found in phagocytic activity of macrophage. The interleukin 1 (IL-1) activity increased on 1th, 3th, 5th day (P less than 0.05) as compared with control. This result showed that the function of phagocytosis in macrophage is different from secretion. Lymphocyte proliferation decreased in ConA stimulated on 3th day after injury, the interleukin 2 (IL-2) activity decreased significantly on all days (12hr-5th day) (P less than 0.01). These might be related to the decrease of IL-2 and the decrease of immune function after burn injury.     

Expression of claudin-1 in mouse testis

In testis, tight junctions (TJs) between adjacent Sertoli cells are important for the formation of the blood-testis barrier (BTB) and crucial for spermatogenesis. The present study aimed to find postnatal changes in the expression of claudin-1, one of the TJ genes in mouse testis. By semiquantitative RT-PCR, it was found that claudin-1 expression in testis increased up to a peak at 10 days after birth and decreased thereafter. Western blot analysis showed abundant expression of 21-kDa protein in testis, lung, and brain from the adult mouse. The developmental change in the expression of claudin-1 protein in testis coincided with that from the RT-PCR. Testosterone treatment significantly increased claudin-1 expression in immature Sertoli cells, suggesting the possible regulation of claudin-1 expression by androgen in mouse Sertoli cells. Claudin-1 expression appears to be developmentally regulated in the mouse testis.     

Induction of renin-angiotensin system in human testis in vivo

To better understand the local renin-angiotensin system in Leydig cells of the human testis, the plasma renin activity (PRA) and plasma concentration of angiotensin II (PAII) in the left internal spermatic vein (ISV) and cubital vein (CV) were measured at the time of surgical repair of varicocele in 27 patients. Fourteen of the patients were given a single i.m. injection of hCG (10,000 IU/m2) 4 days before the operation, whereas the remaining 13 were not treated. Although the mean PRA or PAII levels in the CV in the treated and nontreated groups were similar, both levels in the ISV in the treated group were significantly higher than in the nontreated group (p less than 0.05). For PAII levels in the treated group, nine of 11 patients with an increased PRA level showed significantly higher levels than the normal peripheral PAII value. The serum testosterone levels in the same ISV were also much higher in the treated group than in the nontreated group (p less than 0.001). These results suggested the possibility that sex steroids might influence the renin-angiotensin system in Leydig cells.     

The vasectomized testis

We have performed a qualitative study on effects of vasectomy on the testicular structure. Vasectomy performed with the traditional technique changes testicular structure. At first, the injuries are slight and restricted, but gradually, and in a time-dependent manner, become more severe and extensive. Ultrastructure studies indicate that the spermatogonia and Sertoli's cells are the most resistant to vasectomy, and are even observed in some regenerating testes lacking a complete germinal epithelium. Morphometric studies revealed a decrease in epithelial depth, an increase in the thickness of the basement membrane and in surface of the interstitial space, all significant (P < 0.01) with respect to the control. However, the percentage of the interstitial tissue occupied by cells, did not show any significant difference. We propose that the increase of intraluminal pressure is the essential factor that provokes testicular atrophy.     

The leprous testis

A clinical investigative study of 148 male leprous patients demonstrated the presence of testicular lesions in 35 cases. Semen analysis revealed marked oligo-athenozoospermia in 10 cases and azoospermia in 25 cases. Testicular biopsies from leprous testes showed different histologic patterns ranging from spermatogenic arrest to complete hyalinization of both seminiferous tubules and interstitial tissue. Histochemical staining for neurovascular supply revealed degenerative nerve change in addition to altered permeability of the testicular capillaries. There was good correlation between the results of semen analysis and histological and histochemical examination of testicular biopsies.     

The ascending testis and the testis undescended since birth share the same histopathology

PURPOSE: The etiology of the ascending testis is controversial. We propose that ascending testis, defined as a testis previously thought to be descended and later noted to be out of the scrotum, is due to mild hypogonadotropic hypogonadism affecting both testes. The diagnosis of these low types of true undescended testes is difficult to make clinically in children since they are frequently confused with retractile testes. In this study we compared testicular biopsies in a group of boys with ascending testes with those in boys who had an undescended testis since birth (primary undescended testis). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1985 and 1995, 91 patients with ascending testes underwent orchiopexy and bilateral testis biopsy. The total germ cell count, processus vaginalis status, age at surgery and whether followup was done by a pediatrician or pediatric urologist were compared in patients with ascending and unilateral primary undescended testes. RESULTS: The total germ cell count was similar in the undescended and the contralateral descended testis in patients with ascending and primary undescended testes. The processus vaginalis was more likely to be closed in ascending testes (57% versus 36%, p = 0.0001). Age at surgery and the total germ cell count were similar in patients followed by pediatricians and pediatric urologists. CONCLUSIONS: The ascending testis has the same germ cell count as the primary undescended testis. Yearly followup by the primary care physician is recommended for patients with retractile testes.     

The effect of traumatic brain injury upon the concentration and expression of interleukin-1beta and interleukin-10 in the rat

BACKGROUND: Using a model of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the rat, this study was undertaken to characterize the short-term biochemical changes of IL-1beta, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor TNF-alpha to determine whether injury in the brain elicits a systemic cytokine response. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to a TBI using a weight-drop model and then killed at various time points after injury. Samples of blood, brain, and liver were recovered and analyzed for concentrations of IL-1beta, IL-10, and TNF-alpha as well as IL-1beta and IL-10 mRNA expression in liver and brain. RESULTS: In brain, IL-1beta increased in the first hour after injury, peaked at 8 hours, and declined during the final 16 hours. IL-10 quickly increased during the first 4 hours and then gradually rose over the last 20 hours. Analysis of liver showed no upregulation of these markers and plasma IL-1beta and IL-10 were unchanged compared with controls. Although not upregulated in brain, TNF-alpha showed a statistically significant (p < 0.05) rise in plasma from 14 +/- 16 pg/mL at 20 minutes to 91 +/- 28 pg/mL at 24 hours. CONCLUSION: Using a model of TBI, we have demonstrated that there is a rise in both IL-1beta and IL-10 in the injured rat brain within the first 24 hours after injury without a corresponding rise in either plasma or liver. Therefore, it appears as if two strong indicators of brain injury severity are expressed and possibly carry out their actions solely in the brain.     

白细胞介素-33、白细胞介素-1RL1在结直肠癌组织的高表达

本研究旨在探讨白细胞介素(IL)-33、IL-1RL1高表达患者的临床特征,并分析其是否会影响结直肠癌(CRC)预后。一、资料与方法1.一般资料:收集我院行手术治疗的80例结直肠癌患者共160份组织标本,80份癌组织匹配80份癌旁组织(距离原发灶外缘5 cm处的正常组织)。纳入标准为,(1)临床资料完整,具随访资料;(2)均经手术切除并病理证实为结直肠癌;(3)术前未经放疗、化疗等其他手段治疗。     

ACRV1在人睾丸组织中的表达特征分析

目的 分析ACRV1基因在人睾丸组织中的表达变化,方法 采用人全基因组Affymetrix表达谱芯片,分析一个27岁正常男人睾丸和6月龄胎儿睾丸的差异表达基因谱,筛选得到ACRV1基因的表达值,然后通过免疫组织化学的方法鉴定ACRV1基因在人睾丸组织中的表达定位.结果 对Affymetrix全基因组芯片杂交结果分析后,筛选得到ACRV1基因在芯片上表达值,代表ACRV1基因的探针208013_s_at在6月龄胎儿睾丸和27岁成人睾丸中的表达值分别是5.8(A)和1210.7(P),表明该基因在胎儿期睾丸中没有表达,在成年期睾丸中出现高表达,免疫组织化学实验显示该基因的蛋白质只表达于成人睾丸组织中的长形精子的头部,在睾丸组织的其他位置均无表达.结论 ACRV1基因特异性地表达于成人精子细胞的头部,提示该基因在精子发生中起着重要作用.     

The expression and significance of CATSPER1 in human testis and ejaculated spermatozoa

目的:研究精子特异性钙离子通道(CATSPER1)蛋白和 mRNA 在人类睾丸和射出精子中的表达,检测抗人 CATSPER1 抗体体外对人类精子前向运动的影响以初步探讨人 CATSPER1的功能及其作为免疫避孕靶点的可能性。方法:用逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)和间接荧光免疫组化法分别检测液氮冻存人睾丸组织和12例正常精液标本中 CATSPER mRNA 和蛋白的表达。12例正常精液标本经 Percoll 不连续密度梯度离心法上游,上游后精子分别与终浓度为20 mg/mL、4 mg/mL、0.8 mg/mL 的抗人 CATSPER1抗体孵育,以抗体的储存液(0.01mol/L PBS,pH7.4)为对照,1 h、2 h、6 h 后用计算机辅助精液分析仪(CASA)分析前向运动精子百分率(WHO 际准,a 级 b 级)和快速前向运动精子百分率(WHO 标准,a 级)。结果:CATSPER1的 mRNA 存在于人类睾丸组织和射出精子中。CATSPER1蛋在人类睾丸主要表达于精子细胞,并定位于射出成熟精子尾部的主段。实验中用所有浓度的抗人 CATSPER1机体体外在1 h、2 h、6 h 时段均使前向运动精子百分率和快速前向运动精子百分率下降,都与对照组差异显著。结论:CATSPER1在人类睾九中呈减数分裂及减数分裂后式表达,存在于射出精子中的 mRNA 将是比睾丸穿刺方便、更易接受的用于研究 CATSPER1和不育检查的靶点。这些结果也提示人 CATSPER1是免疫避孕的有效靶点。