Isolation of Pig or Rodent Sertoli Cells for Use in Transplantation

Sertoli cells (SCs), somatic cells critical for spermatogenesis, maintain an immunoregulatory microenvironment that promotes germ cell development and migration through the blood-testis barrier and tolerance to immunogenic germ cells. Due to this unique phenotype, SCs have been studied for their role in sperm development, male fertility, and male contraception, as well as their possible use as an alternative and novel approach for use in transplantation, gene therapy, and treatment of immune-related diseases. Hence, we provide a detailed methods section, including a step-by-step protocol showing how to isolate SCs from the testis of different species, such as mice, rats, and pigs, and subsequent culturing and preparation of the isolated SCs for transplantation.