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CD106 (VCAM-1) in testicular immunoregulation
S Sainio-Pöllänen1, J Sundström, S Erkkilä
1Department of Anatomy, University of Turku, Finland. papepo@utu.fi
Journal of Reproductive Immunology
|July 1, 1997
Summary
Leydig cells in the mouse testis express CD106, a molecule potentially involved in lymphocyte adhesion and regulation. This study investigates CD106 expression and its role in Leydig cell-lymphocyte interactions.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Immunology
- Cell Adhesion Molecules
- Testicular Biology
Background:
- Lymphocyte infiltration and regulation within the testis are crucial for reproductive health.
- Adhesion molecules play a significant role in mediating cell-cell interactions, including those involving lymphocytes.
- The specific roles of adhesion proteins like CD106 in testicular immune responses remain incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression patterns of lymphocyte and endothelial adhesion proteins (CD18, CD49d/CD29, CD44, CD54, CD106) in the mouse testis.
- To determine the potential involvement of these proteins in lymphocyte regulation within the testicular microenvironment.
- To elucidate the role of Leydig cell-expressed CD106 in mediating Leydig cell-lymphocyte interactions.
Main Methods:
- Immunocytochemistry was employed to detect the expression of adhesion molecules in normal, cryptorchid, estrogen-treated, and non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse testes.
- Immunoblotting was used to characterize the molecular weight of CD106 in adult mouse testis extracts.
- Modified Stamper-Woodruff assays and co-incubations of Leydig cells with lymphocytes were performed to assess cell binding and the effect of anti-CD106 antibodies.
Main Results:
- CD106 expression was found in Leydig cells of normal adult mice and increased with age, while other studied adhesion molecules were largely absent in mature normal testes.
- CD106 was expressed in the interstitial tissue of cryptorchid and estrogen-treated testes similarly to normal testes; CD44 and CD18 were occasionally present in cryptorchid testes.
- Leydig cell-lymphocyte binding was observed, and anti-CD106 antibodies partially inhibited rosette formation, suggesting a role for CD106-CD49d interactions.
Conclusions:
- Leydig cells express a novel isoform of CD106 in the adult mouse testis.
- CD106 on Leydig cells likely mediates lymphocyte adhesion to the testicular interstitial tissue.
- CD106 may function as an adhesion-promoting molecule or co-stimulatory factor for T cells migrating to the testis.