In vitro toxicity evaluation of melamine on mouse TM4 Sertoli cells.
The male reproductive toxicity of melamine (MA) has been recognized in recent years excepted for its renal toxicity. Our previous in vivo studies revealed that the damages of Sertoli cell barrier played a critical role in MA-induced testicular toxicity in mice. Herein, we performed an in vitro study to comprehensively evaluate the toxicity of MA on Sertoli cell by examining the influences of MA on the viability, morphology, mortality and intercellular junctions of mouse TM4 Sertoli cells (TM4 cells). The results showed that MA suppressed cell viability, induced obvious ultrastructural changes and cell apoptosis in concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, MA down-regulated the expressions of junction-associated proteins including occludin, N-cadherin, and vimentin, suggesting that MA disrupted the integrity of Sertoli cell barrier. Thus, these results indicated that Sertoli cell might be an important cellular target for MA-induced male reproductive toxicity.
College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, PR China; Laboratory of Animal Pathology and Public Health, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agriculture University, Beijing, PR China.
Lingling
L
Chang
Laboratory of Animal Pathology and Public Health, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agriculture University, Beijing, PR China.
Jingyuan
J
Wang
Laboratory of Animal Pathology and Public Health, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agriculture University, Beijing, PR China. Electronic address: sheruiping@126.com.
Ruiping
R
She
Laboratory of Animal Pathology and Public Health, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agriculture University, Beijing, PR China.
Longhuan
L
Ma
Laboratory of Animal Pathology and Public Health, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agriculture University, Beijing, PR China.
Qiaoxing
Q
Wu
D000818:Animals; D015820:Cadherins / Q000378:metabolism*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D015536:Down-Regulation; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D062793:Occludin / Q000378:metabolism*; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D018675:Toxicity Tests; D014227:Triazines / Q000633:toxicity*; D014746:Vimentin / Q000378:metabolism*
D015820:Cadherins; D062793:Occludin; C568986:Ocln protein, mouse; D014227:Triazines; D014746:Vimentin; C011907:melamine
Junction protein; Melamine; Sertoli cell; Toxicity