title: Human testis cytosol and ovarian follicular fluid contain high amounts of interleukin-1-like factor(s).
abstract: Human testicular cytosol and ovarian follicular fluid were analyzed for the presence of interleukin-1 (IL-1)-like factors. Both the follicular fluid and testis cytosol preparations exhibited significant IL-1-like activity as determined by the murine thymocyte proliferation bioassay. The dose-response lines obtained with the gonadal preparations were parallel to each other and to those obtained with monocyte-derived IL-1 and the activity of the gonadal IL-1 could be neutralized by specific IL-1 antibodies. After gel chromatography of human follicular fluid (hFF) and human testis cytosol (hTC) proteins, IL-1 activity was found in the molecular weight region between 30 and 50 kilodaltons (kDa). Chromatofocusing of IL-1 from hFF and hTC revealed that the major part of IL-1 in both cases exhibited similar charge properties (pI less than 6.0). However, two extra peaks (pI 7.0 and greater than 9.0, respectively) were observed in hFF preparations. After isoelectrofocusing (IEF), IL-1 activity of hFF was also found in two different pH regions; a broad area of activity was localized between pH 5.5 and 7.0, while a sharp peak was observed with an approximate pI value of 9.5. Re-chromatofocusing or IEF of alkaline IL-1-like activity resulted in a heterogeneous profile of IL-1-like activity suggesting that the alkaline material may represent either a precursor or an aggregated form of the acidic IL-1. None of the IL-1 peaks obtained from hFF or hTC exhibited IL-2 activity as assessed in a specific IL-2 bioassay. The results of the present study indicate that both gonads may produce high amounts of IL-1-like factor(s) which might play a regulatory role in normal gonadal function.
authors.affiliation: Max Planck Clinical Research Unit for Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Reproductive Medicine of the University, Münster, F.R.G.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hallin
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Di Pauli
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: De Geyter
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nieschlag
mesh_terms: D002850:Chromatography, Gel / Q000379:methods; D003600:Cytosol / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000032:analysis*; D007525:Isoelectric Focusing; D008297:Male; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000032:analysis*; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology*
chemical_list: D007375:Interleukin-1