title: Angiotensin II regulates testicular peritubular cell function via AT1 receptor: a specific situation in male infertility.
abstract: We observed that peritubular myoid cells in the human testis are immunoreactive for angiotensin II (AngII) receptors (AT1R) and explored AngII actions in cultured human testicular peritubular cells (HTPCs). In response to AngII they contracted within minutes. The AT1R-blocker losartan blocked contraction, implying involvement of AngII and AT1R in intratesticular sperm transport. AngII also significantly increased IL-6 mRNA levels and IL-6 secretion within hours and losartan again prevented this action. This suggests involvement in inflammatory processes, which may play a role in male infertility. AngII can be generated locally by mast cell (MC)-derived chymase (CHY), which cleaves AngI. In testicular biopsies from infertile men we found abundant MCs, which express CHY, within the wall of seminiferous tubules. In contrast, CHY-positive MCs are hardly found in normal human testis. Testicular inflammatory events may fuel processes resulting in impaired spermatogenesis. Therefore therapeutic interference with MCs, CHY or AT1R might be novel options in male infertility.
authors: Anatomy III - Cell Biology, Ludwig Maximilian University, Schillerstrasse 42, 80336 Munich, Germany. Electronic address: welter@lrz.uni-muenchen.de.
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Welter
authors: Anatomy III - Cell Biology, Ludwig Maximilian University, Schillerstrasse 42, 80336 Munich, Germany.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Huber
authors: Anatomy III - Cell Biology, Ludwig Maximilian University, Schillerstrasse 42, 80336 Munich, Germany.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Lauf
authors: Anatomy III - Cell Biology, Ludwig Maximilian University, Schillerstrasse 42, 80336 Munich, Germany.
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Einwang
authors: Anatomy III - Cell Biology, Ludwig Maximilian University, Schillerstrasse 42, 80336 Munich, Germany.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Mayer
authors: Andrology-Center, 81241 Munich, Germany.
authors: J U
authors: JU
authors: Schwarzer
authors: Andrologicum, 80331 Munich, Germany.
authors: F M
authors: FM
authors: Köhn
authors: Anatomy III - Cell Biology, Ludwig Maximilian University, Schillerstrasse 42, 80336 Munich, Germany. Electronic address: Mayerhofer@lrz.uni-muenchen.de.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Mayerhofer
mesh_terms: D002468:Cell Physiological Phenomena; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D044140:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D044139:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D044140:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1; D044139:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 2
keywords: AngII; Chymase; Inflammation; Male infertility; Mast cells; Testis