Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 3, 2026

Isolation of Sertoli Cells and Peritubular Cells from Rat Testes
11:11

Isolation of Sertoli Cells and Peritubular Cells from Rat Testes

Published on: February 8, 2016

Apoptosis of human seminoma cells upon disruption of their microenvironment

R A Olie1, A W Boersma, M C Dekker

  • 1Laboratory of Experimental Patho-Oncology, Dr Daniel den Hoed Cancer Center (Academic Hospital), Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

British Journal of Cancer
|May 1, 1996
PubMed

Insights

Dissociating human seminoma cells for in vitro culture triggers apoptosis, causing massive cell degeneration. Preventing this apoptosis is key to successfully culturing these tumor cells.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Human seminoma (SE) cell culture in vitro is hindered by significant tumor cell degeneration.
  • Understanding the mechanisms behind this degeneration is crucial for advancing SE research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if the dissociation of seminoma tumor tissue into single-cell suspensions induces apoptosis.
  • To identify factors that may influence apoptosis onset during SE cell preparation for in vitro studies.

Main Methods:

  • Morphological analysis and in situ end labeling to detect apoptosis in intact SE tissue and cell suspensions.
  • Electrophoresis to identify DNA ladders indicative of apoptosis.
  • Flow cytometry to quantify DNA breaks in SE cell suspensions.

Main Results:

  • Less than 4% apoptotic cells in intact SE tissue from most samples; DNA ladders were absent.
  • Three SEs with >12% apoptotic cells in intact tissue and all dissociated SE cell suspensions showed DNA ladders.
  • Flow cytometry revealed DNA breaks in up to 85% of dissociated SE cells, indicating rapid apoptosis induction upon mechanical disruption.

Conclusions:

  • Mechanical disruption of the tumor microenvironment rapidly induces apoptosis in human seminoma cells.
  • The absence of p53 and bcl-2 expression suggests these pathways are not primary regulators of apoptosis in this context.
  • Abrogating apoptosis is likely essential for successful in vitro culturing of human seminoma cells.

More Related Videos

Identification of Intracellular Signaling Events Induced in Viable Cells by Interaction with Neighboring Cells Undergoing Apoptotic Cell Death09:18

Identification of Intracellular Signaling Events Induced in Viable Cells by Interaction with Neighboring Cells Undergoing Apoptotic Cell Death

Published on: December 27, 2016

A Seminiferous Tubule Squash Technique for the Cytological Analysis of Spermatogenesis Using the Mouse Model09:40

A Seminiferous Tubule Squash Technique for the Cytological Analysis of Spermatogenesis Using the Mouse Model

Published on: February 6, 2018

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 reproductive...
Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the daughter...
Apoptosis01:30

Apoptosis

Apoptosis is a combination of two Greek words, 'apo' and 'ptosis,' meaning separation and falling off, respectively. Hippocrates used this word to describe gangrene, which was caused due to bandaging of fractured bones. Apoptosis was distinguished from necrosis in 1970 when John Kerr reported observations of morphological changes occurring during apoptosis. During one experiment, he observed that the disruption of blood supply to the liver tissue resulted in a size reduction of the tissue.
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 by phagocytes.
Spermatogenesis01:22

Spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis is a complex process that involves the development of sperm cells from undifferentiated stem cells in the seminiferous tubules of the testes. The process is essential for the production of mature and functional sperm cells that are capable of fertilizing an egg.
The process of spermatogenesis can be divided into mitosis, meiosis, and spermiogenesis. During mitosis, the spermatogonia or stem cells divide to produce two identical daughter cells, type A and B spermatogonia. Type-A...
Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy01:22

Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy

Cells respond to damage and stress through highly coordinated processes that decide whether they survive or undergo controlled self-destruction. Two major pathways involved in this regulation are apoptosis, a type of programmed cell death, and autophagy, a survival mechanism that helps cells adapt to adverse conditions.ApoptosisApoptosis removes aged or injured cells to maintain tissue balance. During this process, the cell shrinks, chromatin condenses and fragments, and membrane-bound...