Induction of Interleukin-1α Production in Murine Sertoli Cells by Interleukin-11

Abstract

In the present study we examined the involvement of interleukin (IL)-1alpha, -1beta, FSH, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the regulation of IL-1alpha and -1beta production by Sertoli cells under in vitro conditions. Sertoli cell cultures from immature mice produced constitutively basal levels of intracellular IL-1alpha. Stimulation of Sertoli cell cultures with LPS (5 microgram/ml) resulted in a maximal production of intracellular IL-1alpha 2 h after the stimulation. Thereafter, these levels decreased but remained significantly higher within 24 h after stimulation than those in control cultures. The effect of LPS on IL-1alpha production was dose dependent. FSH did not show any effect on intracellular IL-1alpha production by Sertoli cells. IL-1alpha could not be detected in supernatants of unstimulated or stimulated Sertoli cell cultures. Sertoli cell cultures stimulated with recombinant IL-1alpha induced optimal intracellular levels of IL-1alpha within 2 h of stimulation. These levels remained high 24 h after stimulation. However, stimulation of Sertoli cell cultures with IL-1beta induced a peak of IL-1alpha production 8 h after stimulation. These levels decreased 24 h after the stimulation but were still found to be significantly higher than those in control cultures. The addition of IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) to Sertoli cell cultures did not significantly alter their capacity to produce IL-1alpha. However, the stimulatory effects of recombinant IL-1alpha on IL-1alpha production by Sertoli cell cultures were reversed by the concomitant addition of recombinant IL-1ra. No immunoreactive IL-1beta could be detected in lysates or conditioned media of immature murine Sertoli cells under any of the stimulatory conditions outlined. Our results may suggest the involvement of physiological (IL-1) and pathophysiological factors (LPS) in the regulation of spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis processes and male fertility.

Post-natal Changes in Testicular Concentrations of Interleukin-1 Alpha and Beta and Interleukin-6 during Sexual Maturation in Bulls

“…In the present study the positive correlation of mean testicular concentrations of IL-1 alpha with IL-1 beta was of interest. In previous reports, treatment of Sertoli cells isolated from early post-natal mice (Zeyse et al 2000) or Leydig cells from pubertal rats (Wang et al 1991), with increasing concentrations of recombinant IL-1 beta caused a dose dependent increase in IL-1 alpha concentrations. In the present study, the negative correlation of mean testicular concentrations of IL-1 alpha with IL-6 reflected a decrease in IL-1 alpha concentrations after the post-natal period but more robust concentrations of IL-6 in the post-natal and pre-pubertal period.…”

“…In the present study the positive correlation of mean testicular concentrations of IL‐1 alpha with IL‐1 beta was of interest. In previous reports, treatment of Sertoli cells isolated from early post‐natal mice (Zeyse et al. 2000) or Leydig cells from pubertal rats (Wang et al.…”

Mechanisms of testicular immune privilege

“…Even so, the testis is able to acquire an inflammatory response to allo-and auto-antigens. This response can be contributed by the testicular somatic cells, such as Sertoli, Leydig and peritubular cells, via producing proinflammatory modulators (Meinhardt et al, 1996;Meinhardt et al, 2000;Zeyse et al, 2000).…”

Surfing the wave, cycle, life history, and genes/proteins expressed by testicular germ cells. Part 5: Intercellular junctions and contacts between germs cells and Sertoli cells and their regulatory interactions, testicular cholesterol, and genes/proteins associated with more than one germ cell generation

“…IL-1a [ID: T5-931] production occurs in germ cells (Haugen et al, 1994) and residual bodies stimulate production of IL-1a by Sertoli cells (Wang et al, 1998). Germ cells produce IL-1Ra [ID: T5-1017] in vitro (Huleihel et al, 2001;Zeyse et al, 2000) and IL-1 receptors (e.g., [ID: T5-1018]) are present in mouse testis (Gomez et al, 1997;Takao et al, 1990). IL1b [ID: T5-1019] is found in the cytoplasm and nucleus of spermatogonia and spermatocytes, while IL-1Ra is in spermatogonia and in the Golgi apparatus (Huleihel et al, 2003).…”