Role of Sertoli cells in injury-associated testicular germ cell apoptosis.
This review examines experimental models of Sertoli cell injury resulting in germ cell apoptosis. Since germ cells exist in an environment created by Sertoli cells, paracrine signaling between these intimately associated cells must regulate the process of germ cell death. Germ cell apoptosis may be signaled by a decrease in Sertoli cell pro-survival factors, an increase in Sertoli cell pro-apoptotic factors, or both. The different models of Sertoli cell injury indicate that spermatogenesis is susceptible to disruption, and that targeting critical Sertoli cell functions can lead to rapid and massive germ cell death.
Boekelheide
K
K
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, USA. Kim_Boekelheide@Brown.edu
Fleming
S L
SL
Johnson
K J
KJ
Patel
S R
SR
Schoenfeld
H A
HA
D000728:Androgens / Q000172:deficiency / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006588:Hexanones / Q000633:toxicity; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010795:Phthalic Acids / Q000633:toxicity; D051381:Rats; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D013737:Testis / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology
D000728:Androgens; D006588:Hexanones; D010795:Phthalic Acids; C011269:2,5-hexanedione