Col3a1 delivered via extracellular vesicles of Sertoli cells is essential for mice Sertoli cell proliferation

• Published in: Molecular and cellular endocrinology Vol. 577; p. 112036
• Main Authors: Zhu, Yu, Lin, Yu, Zheng, Xiaoguo, Wang, Hanshu, Li, Zhenhua, Sun, Fei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland Elsevier B.V 01.11.2023
• Subjects: Col3a1; Extracellular vesicles; Proliferation; Sertoli cells; Extracellular vesicles; Col3a1; Proliferation; Sertoli cells
• ISSN: 0303-7207; 1872-8057
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2023.112036

It is generally believed that Sertoli cells can proliferate only before sexual maturity. In this study, we found that extracellular vesicles of Sertoli cells derived from prepubertal mice (SEVs) have the ability to promote the proliferation of Sertoli cell population. In addition, via proteomic analysis, we compared the functional components of extracellular vesicles derived from Sertoli cells of mice at 12–14 days and 8 weeks. The functional profiling of SEVs suggested important developmental roles, and this was confirmed by analysis comparing the transcriptomic changes in Sertoli cells treated with DMSO and GW4869. The following analysis pointed to Col3a1 as a key factor in SEVs, which was further validated using primary Sertoli cells and TM4 cell line. The present study suggests a possible role for Col3a1 in promoting the proliferation of cultured Sertoli cells and provides a new perspective on the function of extracellular vesicles in Sertoli cell development. •Extracellular vesicles from 12 to 14 day mouse Sertoli cells promote mouse Sertoli cell proliferation in culture.•Protein composition of extracellular vesicles in Sertoli cells varies significantly at different stages of development.•Col3a1 is highly expressed in immature Sertoli cells compared to adult Sertoli cells.•Col3a1 is associated with the proliferation of Sertoli cells in mice.