Effect of testicular macrophage conditioned media from rats with autoimmune orchitis on Leydig cell function.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of immune-activated testicular macrophages obtained from rats with autoimmune orchitis (EAO) on Leydig cell steroidogenesis.


METHODS
EAO was induced in rats by active immunization with testis homogenate and adjuvants. Testicular and peritoneal macrophages from rats with EAO were isolated and cultured for 24 hr. Testosterone (T) production by purified Leydig cells incubated in vitro with macrophage-conditioned media (CM) from rats with EAO or control rats was measured.


RESULTS
An increase in T production by Leydig cells incubated with CM from testicular, but not peritoneal, macrophages of rats with EAO was observed. This increase was dose-dependent up to a concentration of 30% CM; proportions higher than 35% exhibited an inhibitory effect.


CONCLUSIONS
Immune-activated testicular macrophages obtained from rats with EAO induced both stimulatory and inhibiting steroidogenic effects on Leydig cells in vitro and not the exclusively inhibitory action that has widely been attributed to activated macrophages. This dual effect probably depends on the ability of these cells to synthesize different molecules that may exert opposite effects.
Suescun
M O
MO
Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celular, La Plata, Argentina. suescun@nahuel.unlp.biol.edu.ar
Calandra
R S
RS
Lustig
L
L
D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000494:pharmacology; D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004306:Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D017737:Macrophages, Peritoneal / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009920:Orchitis / Q000276:immunology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013737:Testis / Q000276:immunology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned; D013739:Testosterone