Appearance of cell surface auto- and isoantigens during spermatogenesis in the rabbit

doi:10.1016/0012-1606(77)90178-6

Developmental Biology

Volume 55, Issue 2, February 1977, Pages 347-358

https://doi.org/10.1016/0012-1606(77)90178-6 Get rights and content

Abstract

The appearance of spermatogenic cell surface auto- and isoantigens can be precisely determined by utilizing techniques that separate spermatogenic cells. Using cytotoxic (complement dependent) auto- and iso- rabbit antirabbit whole semen sera, specific spermatogenic auto- and isoantigens were first detected following the maturation of spermatogonia into primary pachytene spermatocytes. The antisera employed were cytotoxic (complement dependent) for pachytene diplotene and primary spermatocytes and spermatids but not for type A, intermediate, or type B spermatogonia. Furthermore, Sertoli cells, endothelial cells, Leydig cells, and erythrocytes were not lysed by the antisera. These observations support the concept of a blood-testis barrier. Only after migration of spermatogonia to the luminal side of the barrier can autoantigenic molecules be synthesized and/or inserted into the plasma membrane of spermatogenic cells. Thus, the appearance of surface autoantigens offers a model system to study the synthesis of specific molecules which are inserted into the plasma membrane at a precise time during development.

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This highly increased CLDN11 localization at the basal region of STs might indicate well developed inter-Sertoli TJ's during mid spermatogenesis in P. sinensis testis. Previously, reported that the auto-antigens are expressed by meiotic and post-meiotic germ cells, but not by spermatogonia and somatic cells [37–39]. Furthermore, Sertoli cells protect the auto-immunogenic germ cells from the host's immune system not only through the blood test barrier that includes tight junctions between adjacent Sertoli Cells, but Sertoli cells also have the capability to modulate the immune response by expressing several immunoregulatory factors [40].
It is conceivable that early developing germ cells must across the basal to the luminal region of seminiferous tubules (STs) during spermatogenesis is associated with extensive restructuring of junctional complex. However, very limited information is documented about these junctional complexes in reptiles. In the present study we have determined the localization of inter-Sertoli cell tight junctions (TJ's), protein CLDN11 and gap junction protein Cx43 during spermatogenesis in the testis. In early spermatogenesis, weak immunoreactivity of CLDN11and focal localization of Cx43 was observed around the Sertoli cell in the luminal region, but completely delaminated from the basal compartment of STs. In late spermatogenesis, strong focal to linear localization of CLDN11and Cx43 was detected at the points of contact between two Sertoli cells and around the early stages of primary spermatocytes in the basal compartment of STs. In late spermatogenesis, localization of CLDN11and Cx43 was drastically reduced and seen only around Sertoli cells and spermatogonia near the basal lamina. However, transmission electron microscopy revealed that inter-Sertoli cell tight junctions were present within the basal compartment of STs, leaving the spermatogonia and early primary spermatocytes in the basal region during mid spermatogenesis. Gap junctions were observed between Sertoli cells, and Sertoli cells with spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes throughout spermatogenesis. Moreover, adherens and hemidesmosomes junctions were observed during spermatogenesis. The above findings collectively suggest that the intensity and localization of TJ's and gap junctions vary according to the spermatogenetic stages that might be protected the developing germ cells from own immune response.
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Early workers (Landsteiner, 1899; Henle et al., 1938; Tyler, 1948) interested in identifying and studying the function of sperm proteins (antigens) utilized the immunogenicity of spermatozoa and the specificity of the resulting antisera (Tyler, 1961) as probes for function (O'Rand & Metz, 1974); with the hope of finding a contraceptive target. Spermatogenesis, a highly ordered process that occurs inside the protection of the blood–testis barrier (Waites & Setchell, 1969; Dym & Fawcett, 1970; Vitale et al., 1973), presented an abundance of male specific proteins that might become targets for contraception (O'Rand & Romrell, 1977). With the realization that infertility patients often had anti-sperm antibodies (Rümke & Hellinga, 1959), the idea developed that sperm proteins synthesized in the testis, might be the basis for the development of a contraceptive.
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Full paperAppearance of cell surface auto- and isoantigens during spermatogenesis in the rabbit

Abstract

Fert. Steril

J. Biol. Chem

J. Biol. Chem

Amer. J. Obstet. Gynec

J. Biol. Chem

Develop. Biol

Develop. Biol

Immunologic and morphologic effects of vasectomy in the rhesus monkey

Adaptations of the male reproductive tract and the fate of spermatozoa following vasectomy in the rabbit, rhesus monkey, hamster and rat

Biol. Reprod

Immunologic aspects of infertility

Immune complex orchitis in vasectomized rabbits

J. Exp. Med

Fine structure of germ cells and Sertoli cells during the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium in the rat

Z. Zellforsch

A difference in the architecture of the surface membrane of normal and virally transformed cells

The blood-testis barrier in the rat and the physiological compartmentation of the seminiferous epithelium

Biol. Reprod

Immunological control of fertility in female mice

Nature (London)

Electron microscopic observations on the structural components of the blood testis barrier

J. Reprod. Fertil. Suppl

The junctional specializations of Sertoli cells in the seminiferous epithelium

Anat. Rec

Aspermatogenesis in the guinea pig induced by testicular tissue and adjuvants

J. Exp. Med

The Sertoli cell occluding junctions and gap junctions in mature and developing mammalian testis

Develop. Biol

Immunofluorescent evaluation of the male rabbit reproductive tract for sites of secretion and absorption of seminal antigens

Biol. Reprod

A comparison of screening tests for antisperm activity in the serum of infertile women

J. Reprod. Fert

Localization and identification of antispermatogenic factor in guinea pig testicles

Int. Arch. Allerg. Appl. Immunol

The serum proteins in multiple myelomatosis

Biochem. J

Infertility and embryonic mortality in female rabbits immunized with different sperm preparations

Biol. Reprod

Full paper
Appearance of cell surface auto- and isoantigens during spermatogenesis in the rabbit