Sertoli cell-germ cell interactions and TGF beta 1 expression and secretion in vitro.
Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF beta 1) has been reported to be secreted and to act within the somatic cells of the testis. We examined whether the TGF beta 1 expression is present at mRNA and protein levels in purified rat Sertoli cells (SC), purified pachytene spermatocytes (SPC), and early spermatids (SPT) cultured alone or together. SC expressed a single TGF beta 1 transcript of 2.5 kb, but no TGF beta 1 protein could be detected in SC conditioned medium indicating that, if at all, SC secreted less than 10 pg/10(6) cells/24 h. Neither TGF beta 1 mRNA nor protein could be detected in either SPC or SPT. Coculture of SC with either SPC or SPT resulted in a 2-fold increase of TGF beta 1 mRNA and more importantly in the secretion of TGF beta 1 protein. These findings demonstrate that Sertoli cell-germ cell interactions regulate TGF beta 1 expression and secretion and indicate that TGF beta 1 may be involved in spermatogenesis.
Avallet
O
O
INSERM-INRA U418, IFREL, Hôpital Debrousse, Lyon, France.
Gomez
E
E
Vigier
M
M
Jégou
B
B
Saez
J M
JM
D000818:Animals; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000235:genetics; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D008297:Male; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000378:metabolism*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta