Subpopulations of mouse testicular macrophages and their immunoregulatory function.
OBJECTIVE
Testicular macrophages (TMf) participate together with Sertoli cells in formation of blood-testis barrier. The present experiments were aimed to test their immunoregulatory functions in vivo and in vitro.


METHODS
TMf were purified by glass adherence, rosetting with opsonized erythrocytes and fractionation on discontinuous Percoll gradient (over 95% purity). Their antigen-presenting capacity in humoral and cell-mediated responses was tested in vitro (Mishell-Dutton cultures, proliferation assay) and in vivo (induction of contact sensitivity reaction).


RESULTS
TMf represent a heterogeneous cell population. Heavier Percoll fractions produce little transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta and are efficient antigen-presenting cells in humoral and cell-mediated immune responses. Lighter fractions produce high amounts of TGF-beta and are rather tolerogenic than immunogenic. Their immunosuppressive activity can be prevented by treatment of TMf donors with cyclophosphamide or in vitro by anti-TGF-beta monoclonal antibody. In non-separated TMf population the immunosuppressive activity prevails.


CONCLUSIONS
Subpopulation of TMf able to trigger specific immune responses is present in the testis but remains under control of other TMf subpopulation which minimizes the risk of development of autoimmune reactions.
Bryniarski
Krzysztof
K
Department of Immunology of Jagiellonian University, Medical College, Cracow, Poland.
Szczepanik
Marian
M
Maresz
Katarzyna
K
Ptak
Maria
M
Ptak
Włodzimierz
W
D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D017951:Antigen Presentation / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003260:Contact Inhibition / Q000187:drug effects; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000494:pharmacology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D003520:Cyclophosphamide