title: Expression and Localization of Lung Surfactant Proteins in Human Testis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Surfactant proteins (SPs) have been described in various tissues and fluids including tissues of the nasolacrimal apparatus, airways and digestive tract. Human testis have a glandular function as a part of the reproductive and the endocrine system, but no data are available on SPs in human testis and prostate under healthy and pathologic conditions.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was the detection and characterization of the surfactant proteins A, B, C and D (SP-A, SP-B, SP-C, SP-D) in human testis. Additionally tissue samples affected by testicular cancer were investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Surfactant proteins A, B, C and D were detected using RT-PCR in healthy testis. By means of Western blot analysis, these SPs were detected at the protein level in normal testis, seminoma and seminal fluid, but not in spermatozoa. Expression of SPs was weaker in seminoma compared to normal testicular tissue. SPs were localized in combination with vimentin immunohistochemically in cells of Sertoli and Leydig.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Surfactant proteins seem to be inherent part of the human testis. By means of physicochemical properties the proteins appear to play a role during immunological and rheological process of the testicular tissue. The presence of SP-B and SP-C in cells of Sertoli correlates with their function of fluid secretion and may support transportation of spermatozoa. In seminoma the expression of all SP's was generally weaker compared to normal germ cells. This could lead to a reduction of immunomodulatory and rheology processes in the germ cell tumor.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Anatomy II, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Beileke
authors.affiliation: Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany.
authors.forename: Horst
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Claassen
authors.affiliation: Federal Armed Forces Hospital Hamburg, Department of Urology, Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.affiliation: Federal Armed Forces Hospital Hamburg, Department of Urology, Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Cord
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Matthies
authors.affiliation: Federal Armed Forces Hospital Hamburg, Department of Urology, Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ruf
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Arndt
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hartmann
authors.affiliation: Institute of Anatomy II, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Fabian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Garreis
authors.affiliation: Institute of Anatomy II, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Friedrich
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Paulsen
authors.affiliation: Institute of Anatomy II, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schicht
authors.affiliation: Institute of Anatomy II, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bräuer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D021381:Protein Transport; D037661:Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D013724:Teratoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D037661:Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger