Naslov
Glial cell line – derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and its receptors GFRα -1 and GFRα -2 in the human testis.

Autori
Davidoff, MS ; Middendorff, R ; Koeva, Y ; Pusch, W ; Ježek, D ; Müller, D

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, sažetak, ostalo

Izvornik
The First Croatian Congress of Neuroscience / Bulat, M ; Ivkić, G ; Judaš, M ; Klarica, M ; Kostović, I ; Šimić, G - Zagreb, 2003

Skup
The First Croatian Congress of Neuroscience

Mjesto i datum
Zagreb, Hrvatska, 21.11.2003. - 22.11.2003

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Poster

Vrsta recenzije
Domaća recenzija

Ključne riječi
Leydig cells; neuroednocrinology; neuronal markers

Sažetak
Introduction. Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) belongs to the TGF-β related family of proteins. This factor is expressed during embryogenesis in the central nervous system and in several peripheral organs. Recently, it was demonstrated that true neurotrophins of the NGF family and their receptors were present in the rat and human Leydig cells. Thus, Leydig cells may function as paraneurons in the testis. The aim of our study was to investigate the expression of GDNF and its receptors (GFRα -1 and GFRα -2) in the rat and human adult as well as developing testis. Materials & methods. Samples of testes from 15 patients (aged between 51 and 86 years) who were undergoing orchiectomy as a primary treatment for prostate carcinoma were used. In addition, 36 human fetal testes (15-34 weeks of gestation) and postnatal rat testis (days 5, 10, 15, 20, 21, 27, 60 and 90) were analyzed. Methods used were RT-PCR analysis, immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. Results. Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and its receptors GFRα -1 and GFRα -2 were found in the human testis during fetal development (15-34 weeks of gestation) and in adult men. Gene expression of GDNF could be established in the human testis and immunoreactivity (IR) for GDNF was detectable in Leydig cells, Sertoli cells, some spermatocytes and round spermatids as well as in smooth muscle cells of the wall of arterioles and small arteries. In the adult human testis, Sertoli and Leydig cells showed GFRα -1-IR whereas GFRα -2-IR was located exclusively in Leydig cells. Different to man, in the rat GDNF-IR in Sertoli cells was detectable only until postnatal day l0, providing evidence for species related variability in the expression of GDNF. Conclusion. These findings suggest a critical role for GDNF during the differentiation of testicular structures and provide evidence for en additional important function in the adult human and rodent testis.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Temeljne medicinske znanosti

POVEZANOST RADA