TGF-beta1 system in Leydig cells. Part II: TGF-beta1 and progesterone, through Smad1/5, are involved in the hyperplasia/hypertrophy of Leydig cells.
Several reports indicate that transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) participates in the regulation of cell cycle progression. In this work, we analyzed the in vitro effect of TGF-beta1 on Leydig cell proliferation markers and the in vivo effect of this cytokine in Leydig cell hyperplasia/hypertrophy. The in vitro effect of TGF-beta1 (1 ng/ml) plus progesterone (10(-6) M) on purified Leydig cells from 3 week-old mice increased the immunocytochemically detected PCNA and stimulated the phosphorylation of Smad 1/5. Progesterone (10(-6) M) in the presence or absence of TGF-beta1 diminished the ratio Bax/Bcl-2. Morphometric testicular studies of mice treated with progesterone (s.c.) plus TGF-beta1 (intratesticular), showed an increase in interstitial volume and a decrease in tubular volume. Furthermore, the cytoplasmic volume of Leydig cells showed an increment in this experimental group with a diminution in nuclear volume. Thus, it turned out that the administration of progesterone and TGF-beta1 augmented the volume of Leydig cells. These results indicate a clear effect of TGF-beta1 in the hypertrophy/hyperplasia of Leydig cells.
Gonzalez
Candela R
CR
Instituto de Biologíia y Medicina Experimental, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Gonzalez
Betina
B
Rulli
Susana B
SB
Dos Santos
Mara L
ML
Mattos Jardim Costa
Guilherme
G
França
Luiz R
LR
Calandra
Ricardo S
RS
Gonzalez-Calvar
Silvia I
SI
D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D048429:Cell Size / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006965:Hyperplasia / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006984:Hypertrophy / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D011374:Progesterone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051898:Smad1 Protein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D051902:Smad5 Protein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology
D051898:Smad1 Protein; C497401:Smad1 protein, mouse; D051902:Smad5 Protein; C497798:Smad5 protein, mouse; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D011374:Progesterone