Fibroblast growth factor receptor type 1 expression during rat testicular development and its regulation in cultured Sertoli cells.
In the present study, we examined the ontogeny of the type 1 receptor for basic fibroblast growth factor (FGFR-1) in whole rat testis, its cellular localization, and its in vitro regulation in 20-day-old rat Sertoli cells. Gene expression of FGFR-1 was developmentally regulated; expression was higher in prepubertal testes and decreased with sexual maturity. The transcript was found to be expressed in Leydig-enriched fractions, peritubular cells, Sertoli cells, and, to a lesser extent, germ cells. FSH as well as (Bu)2cAMP enhanced FGFR-1 messenger RNA (mRNA) levels in cultured Sertoli cells, suggesting an involvement of the protein kinase-A pathway. Addition of basic FGF (bFGF), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha), or interleukin-1 alpha resulted in a dose- and time-related increase in FGFR-1 mRNA levels. The effect of bFGF was specific, because it was neutralized by cotreatment with an anti-bFGF. We tested medium conditioned by germ cells and found a stimulation of the Sertoli cell FGFR-1 mRNA levels, which was abolished by immunodepletion of the conditioned medium with anti-TNF alpha antibodies. It is suggested that in Sertoli cells, bFGF action, when mediated by FGFR-1, is under a complex hormonal (FSH) and paracrine and/or autocrine control exerted at least by bFGF, TNF alpha, and interleukin-1 alpha.
Le Magueresse-Battistoni
B
B
INSERM U-407, Centre Hospitalier Lyon-Sud, Pierre-Bénite, France.
Wolff
J
J
Morera
A M
AM
Benahmed
M
M
D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D015870:Gene Expression; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D017468:Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*
D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D017468:Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor