Testicular Peritubular Cells Secrete a Protein under Androgen Control That Modulates Sertoli Cell Functions

• Published in: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - PNAS Vol. 82; no. 1; pp. 114 - 118
• Main Authors: Skinner, Michael K., Fritz, Irving B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 01.01.1985; National Acad Sciences
• Subjects: 3T3 cells; Androgen-Binding Protein - biosynthesis; Androgens; Androgens - physiology; Animals; Carrier Proteins - biosynthesis; Cell culture techniques; Cells; Cells, Cultured; Culture Media; Cultured cells; Estradiol - pharmacology; Male; Molecular Weight; Proteins - physiology; Rats; Sertoli cells; Sertoli Cells - physiology; Testes; Testis - cytology; Testis - metabolism; Testis - physiology; Testosterone; Testosterone - pharmacology; Transferrin - biosynthesis; Transferrins
• ISSN: 0027-8424; 1091-6490
• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.82.1.114

Peritubular cells of the seminiferous tubule synthesize component(s) that stimulate Sertoli cells in culture to increase the production of androgen-binding protein and testicular transferrin. The active peritubular cell component(s) are trypsin-sensitive, heat-sensitive, acid-stable molecule(s) having a molecular weight between 50,000 and 100,000. These specific factors(s) are referred to as P Mod-S to designate protein(s), produced by peritubular cells (P), that modulate the functions of Sertoli cells (S). The degree of stimulation by P Mod-S is comparable to that obtained by maximal hormonal stimulation of the synthesis of ABP and transferrin by Sertoli cells. Levels of P Mod-S secreted into the medium by primary cultures of peritubular cells are increased in the presence of testosterone. Comparable concentrations of 17β -estradiol do not stimulate peritubular cells to synthesize P Mod-S. Data are interpreted to indicate that androgens act on testicular peritubular cells to increase the formation of P Mod-S and that P Mod-S may modulate the properties of adjacent Sertoli cells. Findings are discussed in relation to the nature of mesenchymal-epithelial cell interactions in the seminiferous tubule and to the possible role of P Mod-S as a mediator of androgen actions on Sertoli cells.