Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 24, 2025

Visualizing Macrophage Extracellular Traps Using Confocal Microscopy
09:14

Visualizing Macrophage Extracellular Traps Using Confocal Microscopy

Published on: October 19, 2017

10.3K

Sperm induce macrophage extracellular trap formation via phagocytosis-dependent mechanism

Chuncheng Lu1,2, Zhao Wu3, Hongbin Gao1,2

  • 1Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.

Biology of Reproduction
|July 4, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Sperm can trigger macrophages to release extracellular traps, a process vital for clearing abnormal sperm. This mechanism is enhanced when sperm have low motility, as seen in asthenozoospermia.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Immunology
  • Cellular Biology
  • Infertility Research

Background:

  • Asthenozoospermia, characterized by reduced sperm motility, is a significant cause of male infertility.
  • Macrophages in the female reproductive tract are key immune cells involved in clearing foreign entities.
  • The interaction between sperm and macrophage extracellular traps (METs) remains poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the induction of macrophage extracellular traps by sperm.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms underlying sperm-induced MET production.
  • To explore the role of METs in the context of asthenozoospermia.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-differentiated THP-1 cells as a model for human macrophages.
  • Visualized sperm-induced METs using immunofluorescence and scanning electron microscopy.
  • Analyzed the relationship between phagocytosis and MET production by inhibiting key pathways like NADPH oxidase.

Main Results:

  • Sperm successfully triggered PMA-differentiated THP-1 macrophages to release extracellular traps.
  • Sperm-triggered MET formation was found to be dependent on macrophage phagocytosis and NADPH oxidase activity.
  • Sperm from asthenozoospermia donors induced greater MET release compared to sperm from healthy donors due to increased phagocytosis.

Conclusions:

  • Confirmed the phenomenon of sperm-induced macrophage extracellular trap formation in vitro.
  • Provided partial mechanistic insights, highlighting the roles of phagocytosis and NADPH oxidase.
  • Suggests a potential mechanism for clearing hypomotile sperm in the female reproductive tract and offers rationale for reduced fertilization probability in asthenozoospermia.
Keywords:
asthenozoospermiamacrophage extracellular traps (METs)phagocytosisspermsperm motility

More Related Videos

In Vitro Stimulation and Visualization of Extracellular Trap Release in Differentiated Human Monocyte-derived Macrophages08:08

In Vitro Stimulation and Visualization of Extracellular Trap Release in Differentiated Human Monocyte-derived Macrophages

Published on: November 1, 2019

9.8K
Isolation of Salmonella typhimurium-containing Phagosomes from Macrophages10:33

Isolation of Salmonella typhimurium-containing Phagosomes from Macrophages

Published on: October 25, 2017

10.7K

Related Concept Videos

Spermatogenesis01:41

Spermatogenesis

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...
102.7K
Immune Surveillance by NK Cells and Phagocytes01:25

Immune Surveillance by NK Cells and Phagocytes

Immune surveillance is an integral part of the innate immune system, involving the continuous monitoring of peripheral tissues to detect and respond to pathogens, infected cells, or cancerous cells. This surveillance is conducted primarily by natural killer (NK) cells and phagocytes, which employ distinct but complementary mechanisms to identify and eliminate threats.
Natural Killer Cells: The Fast Responders
NK cells are large granular lymphocytes found in the blood and lymphatic system. These...
1.5K
Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells01:17

Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells

Cells undergoing apoptosis form apoptotic bodies that must be removed immediately to prevent inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and necrosis. Phagocytosis is carried out by professional phagocytes such as macrophages or  immature dendritic cells. Non-professional phagocytes such as  epithelial cells and fibroblasts also take part in this process; however, they are not as effective as professional phagocytes. 
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized...
3.9K
Phagocytosis00:41

Phagocytosis

Cells pull particles inward and engulf them in spherical vesicles in an energy-requiring process called endocytosis. Phagocytosis (“cellular eating”) is one of three major types of endocytosis. Cells use phagocytosis to take in large objects—such as other cells (or their debris), bacteria, and even viruses.
81.7K