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Interleukin-1 is a potent growth factor for immature rat Sertoli cells

2002; Elsevier BV; Volume: 186; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/s0303-7207(01)00680-3

1872-8057

Cecilia Petersen, Carla Boitani, Berit Fröysa, Olle Söder,

Reproductive Physiology in Livestock

Testes from rats of different maturational ages were explored for presence of paracrine Sertoli cell growth factors. Pubertal and adult testes contained a 17 kDa protein, with potent stimulatory effect on immature Sertoli cell multiplication in vitro. The bioactivity of this protein was mimicked by rat interleukin-1 (IL-1) and neutralized by IL-1 receptor antagonist. A receptor-mediated action was further supported by the demonstration of IL-1 receptor type I mRNA and protein expression in the cultured Sertoli cells and in intact immature rat testes. IL-1α showed higher efficacy in stimulating proliferation than IL-1β and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and displayed synergistic action in combination with FSH. As IL-1α is constitutively produced by the rat testis and IL-1β readily inducible by proinflammatory stimuli, our results suggest that IL-1 may serve as a growth factor for Sertoli cells under physiological and pathophysiological conditions.