title: Distinct expression of interleukin-1α, interleukin-1β, and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist in testicular tissues and cells from human biopsies with normal and abnormal histology.
abstract: Cytokines are paracrine/autocrine growth factors known to affect testicular cell functions. The cellular origin and expression levels of interleukin-1 (IL-1) in human normal and pathological testicular biopsies are not yet clear. In the present study, we have investigated the levels and cellular origin of IL-1 family members [IL-1α, IL-β, and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra)] in human testicular normal and abnormal biopsies with incomplete maturation arrest (IMA) or Sertoli only syndrome (SOS), using real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical staining analysis. Our results show that the levels of IL-1α were higher in Leydig/interstitial cells of biopsies with IMA and SOS compared with normal. The levels of IL-1α in Sertoli cells of normal biopsies were higher than IMA and SOS. The mRNA levels of IL-1α were similar in all biopsies. IL-1β levels were higher in Leydig/interstitial cells of normal biopsies compared with Sertoli and germ cells. The levels of IL-1β were similar in testicular cells of all biopsies. However, the mRNA levels of IL-1β were significantly lower in SOS and IMA biopsies compared with normal. IL-1ra was expressed only in Leydig/interstitial cells, and their expression in normal biopsies was higher than in biopsies with IMA and SOS. The mRNA levels of IL-1ra were similar in all biopsies. Thus, it is possible to suggest the involvement of IL-1 system in the regulation of spermatogenesis and male infertility.
authors.affiliation: The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
authors.forename: Mahmoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abu Elheija
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Dyomin
authors.forename: Masaood
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ganaiem
authors.forename: Eitan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lunenfeld
authors.forename: Netta Sion
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Vardy
authors.forename: Mahmoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Huleihel
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D053582:Interleukin-1alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein; D053582:Interleukin-1alpha; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D011994:Recombinant Proteins