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Updated: Aug 10, 2026
Isolation of Sertoli Cells and Peritubular Cells from Rat Testes
Published on: February 8, 2016
Immunosuppressive molecules produced by Sertoli cells cultured in vitro: biological effects on lymphocytes
P De Cesaris1, A Filippini, C Cervelli
1Institute of Histology & General Embryology, University of Rome La Sapienza, Italy.
Insights
Murine Sertoli cells secrete immunosuppressive proteins that inhibit lymphocyte proliferation by arresting them in the G1 cell cycle phase. These heat-stable proteins also reduce interleukin-2 secretion in lymphocytes.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Reproductive Biology
Background:
- Sertoli cells play a crucial role in immune regulation within the testes.
- Identifying specific immunosuppressive factors secreted by Sertoli cells is important for understanding immune privilege in the male reproductive system.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize immunosuppressive factors secreted by murine Sertoli cells in vitro.
- To investigate the mechanism by which these factors affect lymphocyte function.
Main Methods:
- In vitro culture of murine Sertoli cells.
- Analysis of secreted proteins using cytophluorimetry and cell cycle analysis.
- Assays to determine the specificity and stability of immunosuppressive activity.
- Measurement of cytokine secretion, specifically interleukin-2.
Main Results:
- Sertoli cells secrete proteins that inhibit the proliferation of activated B and T lymphocytes.
- Treated lymphocytes are arrested in the G1 phase of the cell cycle.
- The immunosuppressive activity is specific to lymphocytes and associated with heat- and freeze-stable proteins (>30 kDa).
- Lymphocytes treated with these proteins show significantly reduced secretion of interleukin-2.
Conclusions:
- Murine Sertoli cells secrete potent immunosuppressive proteins capable of inhibiting lymphocyte proliferation and function.
- These proteins may play a significant role in maintaining immune privilege within the testis.
- The identified factors offer potential therapeutic targets for modulating immune responses in transplantation and autoimmune diseases.
Abstract:
In the present study we have analyzed the proteins secreted in vitro by murine Sertoli cells to identify immunosuppressive factors. Our data show that Sertoli cells secrete molecules capable to inhibit proliferation of lymphocytes activated in vitro. Cytophluorimetric analysis indicates that treated cells are arrested in the G1 phase of cell cycle. The inhibitory activity is specific for both B or T lymphocytes but not for other non-lymphoid cells and is associated to proteins, heat and freeze stable, with Mr of more than 30 kDa. Lymphocytes treated with Sertoli immunosuppressive proteins drastically reduce the secretion of interleukin-2.
