Abstract:
Genes encoding Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are expressed by germ cells in the mouse testis. Nevertheless, the expression of TLRs by germ cells has only been demonstrated for TLR-3, TLR-9, and TLR-11. Furthermore, the expression of each TLR in relation to the stage of spermatogenesis remains uncertain. We aimed in the present study to examine the expression pattern of all TLRs in germ cells throughout the cycle of seminiferous epithelium in the adult mouse testis. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the expression of TLRs. Results of the present study reveal the expression of TLRs by specific populations of germ cells. Expression of TLRs, except for TLR-7, at endosomal compartments, acrosomes, and/or residual bodies was another interesting and novel finding of the present study. We further demonstrate that the expression of TLR-1, -2, -3, -4, -5, -7, -11, -12, and -13 follows a distinct spatiotemporal pattern throughout the cycle of seminiferous epithelium. While TLR-1, -3, -5, -11, and -12 are expressed in all stages, TLR-4 is expressed only in early and middle stages of spermatogenic cycle. On the other hand, TLR-2, -7, and -13 are expressed only in early stage of spermatogenic cycle. Evidence demonstrating the expression of TLRs in a stage specific manner throughout spermatogenesis strengthen the hypothesis that the expression of various TLRs by germ cells is a developmentally regulated process. However, if TLRs play a role in the regulation of proliferation, growth, maturation, and differentiation of germ cells throughout the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium warrants further investigations.
摘要:
编码Toll样受体(TLR)的基因由小鼠睾丸中的生殖细胞表达。然而,仅在TLR-3,TLR-9和TLR-11中证明了生殖细胞对TLR的表达。此外,每个TLR的表达与精子发生阶段的关系仍不确定。在本研究中,我们旨在检查成年小鼠睾丸中生精上皮整个周期中生殖细胞中所有TLR的表达模式。免疫组织化学用于评估TLRs的表达。本研究的结果揭示了特定生殖细胞群体的TLRs表达。TLRs的表达,除了TLR-7,在内体区室,肩峰,和/或残体是本研究的另一个有趣和新颖的发现。我们进一步证明,TLR-1,-2,-3,-4,-5,-7,-11,-12和-13的表达在整个生精上皮周期中遵循不同的时空模式。虽然TLR-1、-3、-5、-11和-12在所有阶段都有表达,TLR-4仅在生精周期的早期和中期表达。另一方面,TLR-2、-7和-13仅在生精周期的早期阶段表达。证明TLR在整个精子发生过程中以阶段特异性方式表达的证据加强了以下假设:生殖细胞对各种TLR的表达是发育调节的过程。然而,如果TLRs在调节增殖中发挥作用,增长,成熟,生殖细胞在整个生精上皮周期中的分化值得进一步研究。