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Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology
Published in: Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology 1/2003

Open Access 01-12-2003 | Research

Rat testicular germ cells and sertoli cells release different types of bioactive transforming growth factor beta in vitro

Authors: Bart L Haagmans, Jos W Hoogerbrugge, Axel PN Themmen, Katja J Teerds

Published in: Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology | Issue 1/2003

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Abstract

Several in vivo studies have reported the presence of immunoreactive transforming growth factor-β's (TGF-β's) in testicular cells at defined stages of their differentiation. The most pronounced changes in TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 immunoreactivity occurred during spermatogenesis. In the present study we have investigated whether germ cells and Sertoli cells are able to secrete bioactive TGF-β's in vitro, using the CCl64 mink lung epithelial cell line as bioassay for the measurement of TGF-β. In cellular lysates, TGF-β bioactivity was only observed following heat-treatment, indicating that within these cells TGF-β is present in a latent form. To our surprise, active TGF-β could be detected in the culture supernatant of germ cells and Sertoli cells without prior heat-treatment. This suggests that these cells not only produce and release TGF-β in a latent form, but that they also release a factor which can convert latent TGF-β into its active form. Following heat-activation of these culture supernatant's, total TGF-β bioactivity increased 6- to 9-fold. Spermatocytes are the cell type that releases most bioactive TGF-β during a 24 h culture period, although round and elongated spermatids and Sertoli cells also secrete significant amounts of TGF-β. The biological activity of TGF-β could be inhibited by neutralizing antibodies against TGF-β1 (spermatocytes and round spermatids) and TGF-β2 (round and elongating spermatids). TGF-β activity in the Sertoli cell culture supernatant was inhibited slightly by either the TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 neutralizing antibody.
These in vitro data suggest that germ cells and Sertoli cells release latent TGF-β's. Following secretion, the TGF-β's are converted to a biological active form that can interact with specific TGF-β receptors. These results strengthen the hypothesis that TGF-β's may play a physiological role in germ cell proliferation/differentiation and Sertoli cell function.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Rat testicular germ cells and sertoli cells release different types of bioactive transforming growth factor beta in vitro
Authors
Bart L Haagmans
Jos W Hoogerbrugge
Axel PN Themmen
Katja J Teerds
Publication date
01-12-2003
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology / Issue 1/2003
Electronic ISSN: 1477-7827
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-7827-1-3

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