Leukocytes, specifically macrophages, lymphocytes and mast cells, are found within the testes of most, if not all, mammals. In some species (for example, rats, mice and humans), the number of 'resident' testicular macrophages, in particular, is quite considerable. However, reproductive biologists are only beginning to explore the characteristics and possible biological significance of these cel...

During spermatogenesis, intercellular junctions are dynamically remodeled to facilitate the translocation of developing germ cells from the basal to the adluminal compartment of the seminiferous epithelium. In particular, at stage VIII of the seminiferous epithelial cycle, timely restructuring of cell junctions localized at the blood-testis barrier and apical ectoplasmic specializations are cru...

The pineal hormone melatonin regulates testicular function through the hypothalamic-adenohypophyseal axis. In addition, direct actions of melatonin in somatic cells of the testis have been described. Melatonin acts as a local modulator of the endocrine activity in Leydig cells. In Sertoli cells, melatonin influences cellular growth, proliferation, energy metabolism and the oxidation state, and ...

In the present study, we examined the cellular origin and the expression levels of interleukin-18 binding protein (IL-18 BP), during normal maturation of murine testis. Immunohistochemical staining of testicular tissues from sexually mature mice, shows that testicular germ cells, at different stages of differentiation, express IL-18 BP. Leydig cells/interstitial cells and peritubular cells expr...

In this study we examined the cellular origin and the expression levels of interleukin-18 (IL-18), IL-18 receptor (IL-18R) and IL-1beta-converting enzyme (ICE), which activates pro-IL-18, during normal maturation of murine testis. The levels of IL-18, IL-18R and ICE were significantly higher in testicular tissues and homogenates (but not in the spleen or liver) from sexually immature than matur...

A cell line, designated 833K-E, has been established from a metastasis of a human testicular germ cell tumor that consisted of four histological types of tumor cells. The 833K-E cells have morphological and ultrastructural characteristics of epithelial cells and a hyperdiploid karyotype indicative of their human male origin. The cells grow in agar cultures and produce in nude mice tumors which ...

A cell line, designated 833K-E, has been established from a metastasis of a human testicular germ cell tumor that consisted of four histological types of tumor cells. The 833K-E cells have morphological and ultrastructural characteristics of epithelial cells and a hyperdiploid karyotype indicative of their human male origin. The cells grow in agar cultures and produce in nude mice tumors which ...

Objective(s): To reveal the detailed mechanism underlying the functions of salidroside on the inflammation of intestinal epithelial cells during IBD.Materials and Methods: Quantitative real-time PCR was employed to assess the expression of IL-6, IL-10, and α-defensins 5 and 6. ELISA assay was performed to measure the secretion of IL-6 and IL-10. MTT assay was used to determine the cell viabilit...

recent reports have indicated different effects of immunostimulatory sequences containing cpg-oligodeoxynucleotides (odn) on various immune cells. however, the exact role of cpg-odn in the human gut is unclear. in the present study, we assessed potential effects of cpg-odn on non lymphoid cell (intestinal epithelial cell line ht-29) on a dose-response and time-course basis. intestinal epithelia...