title: In vitro androgenic induction of a major protein in epithelial cell subcultures from mouse vas deferens.
abstract: Pure epithelial cell cultures, obtained from primary culture of vas deferens tissue collected from 20- to 30-day-old mice, were amplified by subculturing the cells over 3T3 feeder layer in a serum-free defined medium. Adhesion and proliferation of epithelial cells did not require androgens, but a minimal concentration of 5.10(-7) M hydrocortisone. In that system, epithelial cells expressed cytokeratin but failed to produce the tissue specific mouse vas deferens protein (MVDP) in response to androgens. Various culture procedures and medium compositions were assayed for induction of MVDP expression. Culture onto microporous membrane inserts, which allow polarization of cells, is absolutely required for androgenic induction of MVDP. Androgen action did not require the presence of hydrocortisone, insulin, triiodothyronine, pituitary extracts, epidermal growth factor and acetylcholine. A minimal supplemented medium was then defined in which the expression of MVDP by epithelial cells in response to androgens was dose dependent. It has also been shown that this response at each concentration of dihydrotestosterone was heterogeneous at individual cell level. Highly reproducible results were obtained from epithelial cell cultures between 8th to 16th passages, showing that subcultured cells have maintained their ability to differentiate and express specialized functions.
authors.affiliation: Physiologie Comparée et Endocrinologie, CNRS URA 360, Université Blaise Pascal, Aubiere, France.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Manin
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Veyssiere
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cheyvialle
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chevalier
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lecher
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jean
mesh_terms: D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology; D000449:Aldehyde Reductase; D000728:Androgens / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D004848:Epithelium / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007328:Insulin / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology; D007633:Keratins / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014284:Triiodothyronine / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology; D014649:Vas Deferens / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned; D007328:Insulin; D011506:Proteins; D014284:Triiodothyronine; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D007633:Keratins; C066498:Akr1b7 protein, mouse; D000449:Aldehyde Reductase; D000109:Acetylcholine; D006854:Hydrocortisone