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The intricate hormonal interplay essential for male reproductive health begins with the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) by the hypothalamus. This hormone prompts the pituitary gland to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). LH targets the Leydig cells in the testes, stimulating them to produce and release testosterone. In concert with testosterone, FSH acts on the Sertoli cells within the seminiferous tubules to facilitate the release of...
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Spermatogenesis is the process by which haploid sperm cells are produced in the male testes. It starts with stem cells located close to the outer rim of seminiferous tubules. These spermatogonial stem cells divide asymmetrically to give rise to additional stem cells (meaning that these structures “self-renew”), as well as sperm progenitors, called spermatocytes. Importantly, this method of asymmetric mitotic division maintains a population of spermatogonial stem cells in the male...
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The Y chromosome is a sex chromosome found in several vertebrates and mammals, including humans. In addition to 22 pairs of autosomes, the human males have one X chromosome and one Y chromosome. In these organisms, the presence or absence of the Y chromosome determines the development of male traits.
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Around 300 million years ago, the two sex chromosomes diverged from two identical autosomal chromosomes. Over time, the Y chromosome has lost most of its genes, shrinking in size....
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Isolation of Sertoli Cells and Peritubular Cells from Rat Testes
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SARS-CoV-2 Enters Human Leydig Cells and Affects Testosterone Production In Vitro.

Lu Li1, Chantal M Sottas1, Hsu-Yu Chen2

  • 1Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA.

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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can infect human Leydig cells, the primary source of testosterone. This viral infection alters testosterone production, potentially impacting male reproductive health.

Keywords:
ACE2Leydig cellsSARS-CoV-2SARS-CoV-2 spike pseudovectorsTMPRSS2cinanserinhamsterhumanspike proteintestistestosterone

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Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Virology
  • Reproductive Biology

Background:

  • Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes widespread infections and fatalities.
  • Emerging data suggest SARS-CoV-2 can infect the human testes.
  • Low testosterone levels are linked to SARS-CoV-2 infection in males, and Leydig cells produce testosterone.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if SARS-CoV-2 infects human Leydig cells and affects their function.
  • To understand the mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 entry into Leydig cells.
  • To explore the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on testosterone production.

Main Methods:

  • Detection of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid in hamster Leydig cells.
  • Expression analysis of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) in human Leydig-like cells (hLLCs).
  • Cell binding assays and pseudotyped viral vectors to study viral entry and testosterone production in hLLCs.
  • Inhibition assays to elucidate SARS-CoV-2 entry pathways.

Main Results:

  • SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid was detected in Leydig cells of infected hamsters.
  • Human Leydig-like cells express the SARS-CoV-2 receptor ACE2.
  • SARS-CoV-2 successfully entered hLLCs, leading to altered testosterone production.
  • SARS-CoV-2 utilizes distinct entry pathways in hLLCs compared to Vero E6 cells, potentially involving neuropilin-1 and cathepsin B/L.

Conclusions:

  • SARS-CoV-2 can infect human Leydig cells via a unique pathway.
  • The infection impacts testosterone production by Leydig cells.
  • These findings suggest a potential mechanism for SARS-CoV-2-associated hypogonadism in males.