Testosterone upregulation of tissue type plasminogen activator expression in Sertoli cells: tPA expression in Sertoli cells

Jian Guo, Yu Qiang Shi, Wei Yang, Yin Chuan Li, Zhao Yuan Hu, Yi Xun Liu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

Our previous studies have demonstrated that tissue type plasminogen activator (tPA) might be involved in matrix degradation of blood-testis barrier in rat. In this study, we have further investigated the effect of testosterone (T) on tPA production in rat Sertoli cells. Our results showed that Sertoli cells isolated from rat testes at various ages in vitro secreted tPA in an age-dependent manner. The tPA activity was detected on day 20 after birth, and reached maximum on day 60. The Sertoli cells isolated from the testes on day 20 were then cultured in the presence or absence of testosterone, FSH, and forskolin, the tPA activities were upregulated by T, FSH and forskolin. Addition of H89 or U0126, both inhibited the testosterone-, FSH-, and forskolin-induced tPA expression. It is suggested that FSH- and testosterone-stimulated tPA expression in Sertoli cells may be via PKA and ERK signal transduction. Furthermore, we have observed that testosterone stimulated tPA secretion at all the stages of spermatogenesis (II-VI, VII-VIII, IX-XII and XIII-I), the highest stimulation of tPA activity was observed at stages VII-VIII. This study further suggests that testosterone-induced tPA activity in the Sertoli cells might be related to the function of blood-testis barrier opening and/or closing.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)83-89
Number of pages7
JournalEndocrine
Volume32
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2007
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Blood-testis barrier
  • ERK pathway
  • PKA
  • Testosterone
  • Tissue-type plasminogen activator

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
  • Endocrinology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Testosterone upregulation of tissue type plasminogen activator expression in Sertoli cells: tPA expression in Sertoli cells'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this