Expression and Regulation of the CC-Chemokine Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 in Rat Testicular Cells in Primary Culture

• Published in: Biology of reproduction Vol. 62; no. 5; pp. 1427 - 1435
• Main Authors: Aubry, F, Habasque, C, Satie, A-P, Jegou, B, Samson, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.05.2000
• Subjects: Macrophage inflammatory protein 1; monocyte chemoattractant protein 1
• ISSN: 0006-3363
• DOI: 10.1043/0006-3363(2000)062(1427:EAROTC)2.0.CO;2

Testicular inflammation is classically observed in pathogenesis caused by infectious agents, environmental toxins, trauma, or autoimmune reactions and can lead to transitory or even permanent sterility. In these situations, a leukocyte infiltration is generally encountered. Macrophage inflammatory proteins (MIP)-1 alpha and -1 beta and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) are CC-chemokines involved in macrophage and lymphocyte chemoattraction. In the present study, using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, Northern blot, and a specific ELISA, we investigated whether or not these chemokines are present within the testis and whether they are induced by a number of proinflammatory cytokines and lipopolysaccharides (LPS). MIP-1 alpha and MIP-1 beta were not detected in Sertoli cells, germ cells, peritubular cells, or Leydig cells. In contrast, MCP-1 mRNA and protein were found to be expressed by control isolated peritubular cells, and expression was markedly stimulated by interleukin-1 alpha and -1 beta (IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta ), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF- alpha ), interferon gamma , and LPS. Leydig cells expressed MCP-1 when stimulated by IL-1 beta . In contrast, MCP-1 was not found to be produced by Sertoli cells or germ cells as established by Northern blot and ELISA techniques. The kinetics of MCP-1 production by peritubular cells, as demonstrated by expression as early as 8 h poststimulation, are compatible with there being a rapid mobilization of these cells and this chemokine in an inflammatory process. Moreover, MCP-1 production by peritubular cells after half-maximal stimulation by LPS, TNF- alpha , and IL-1 beta (2 pg/ml-0.9 ng/ml) is also compatible with the physiologic concentrations of the proinflammatory cytokines generally found in an inflammatory site. It is concluded that MCP-1 is produced by Leydig cells and peritubular cells and that it could be involved in the mobilization and migration of leukocytes observed during testicular inflammation.