Skip to main content
Log in

Expression of fetal-type intermediate filaments by 17-day-old rat Sertoli cells cultured on reconstituted basement membrane

  • Published:
Cell and Tissue Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The expression of cytokeratin- and vimentin-type intermediate filaments was studied by means of immunohistochemistry in Sertoli cells cultured on two types of reconstituted basement membrane in two-compartment culture chambers. In situ, the Sertoli cells of 17-day-old rats contained only vimentin intermediate filaments. During culture, a gradual reorganization of intermediate filaments accompanied by an increased cytokeratin immunoreactivity was observed. After 6 days, Sertoli cells contained both cytokeratin and vimentin, and the same cytokeratin type as in fetal and newborn testis was revealed by electrophoresis and immunoblotting. The present study shows that the isolation and culture of Sertoli cells causes, even in an improved culture system qualitative changes in the expression of intermediate filament proteins.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ailenberg M, Tung PS, Pelletier M, Fritz IB (1988) Modulation of Sertoli cell functions in two-chamber assembly by peritubular cells and extracellular matrix. Endocrinology 122:2604–2618

    Google Scholar 

  • Bergmann M, Dierichs R (1983) Postnatal formation of the blood-testis barrier in the rat with special reference to the initiation of meiosis. Anat Embryol 168:269–275

    Google Scholar 

  • Bradford M (1976) A rapid and sensitive method for the quantitation of microgram quantities of protein utilizing the principle of protein-dye binding. Anal Biochem 72:248–254

    Google Scholar 

  • Byers SW, Hadley MA, Djakiew D, Dym M (1986) Growth and characterization of polarized monolayers of epididymal epithelial cells and Sertoli cells in dual environment culture chamber. J Androl 7:59–68

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapin R, Phelps J, Miller B, Gray T (1987) Alkaline phosphatase histochemistry discriminates peritubular cells in primary rat testicular cell culture. J Androl 8:155–161

    Google Scholar 

  • Clermont Y, Perey B (1957) Quantitative study of the cell population of the seminiferous tubules in immature rats. Am J Anat 100:241–268

    Google Scholar 

  • Dym M (1977) The role of the Sertoli cell in spermatogenesis. In: Yates RD, Gordon M (eds) Male reproductive system. Masson, St Paul, Minn, pp 155–169

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilula NB, Fawcett DW, Aoki A (1976) The Sertoli cell occluding junctions and gap junctions in mature and developing mammalian testis. Dev Biol 50:142–168

    Google Scholar 

  • Guillou F (1990) Characterization of a new superfusion, two-compartement culture system for Sertoli cells. Influence of extracellular matrix on cell permeability. Dynamics of transferrin secretion. J Androl (in press)

  • Guillou F, Martinat N, Combarnous Y (1986) Study of the superactivity of equine follicle-stimulating hormone in in vitro stimulation of rat Sertoli cells. Biochim Biophys Acta 887:196–203

    Google Scholar 

  • Hadley MA, Byers SW, Suarez-Quian CA, Kleinman HK, Dym M (1985) Extracellular matrix regulates Sertoli cell differentiation, testicular cord formation, and germ cell development in vitro. J Cell Biol 101:1511–1522

    Google Scholar 

  • Holthöfer H, Miettinen A, Paasivuo R, Lehto VP, Linder E, Alfthan O, Virtanen I (1983) Cellular origin and differentiation of renal carcinomas. Lab Invest 49:317–326

    Google Scholar 

  • Holthöfer H, Miettinen A, Lehto VP, Lehtonen E, Virtanen I (1984) Expression of vimentin and cytokeratin types of intermediate filament proteins in developing and adult human kidneys. Lab Invest 50:552–559

    Google Scholar 

  • Janecki A, Steinberger A (1987) Vectorial secretion of transferrin and androgen binding protein in Sertoli cell cultures: effect of extracellular matrix, peritubular myoid cells and medium composition. Mol Cell Endocrinol 52:125–135

    Google Scholar 

  • Keski-Oja J, Lehto VP, Virtanen I (1981) Keratin filaments of mouse epidermal cells are rapidly affected by epidermal growth factor. J Cell Biol 90:537–541

    Google Scholar 

  • Laemmli UK (1970) Cleavage of structural proteins during the assembly of the head of bacteriophage T4. Nature 227:680–683

    Google Scholar 

  • Magro G, Charpentier G, Magre S (1988) Cytokeratin expression and testicular morphogenesis. Biol Cell 64:Suppl 4a

  • Miettinen M, Franssila K, Lehto VP, Paasivuo R, Virtanen I (1984) Expression of intermediate filament proteins in thyroid gland and thyroid tumors. Lab Invest 50B 262–270

    Google Scholar 

  • Miettinen M, Virtanen I, Talerman A (1985) Intermediate filament proteins in human testis and testicular germ cell tumors. Am J Pathol 120:402–410

    Google Scholar 

  • Moll R, Franke WW, Schiller DL, Geiger B, Krepler R (1982) The catalog of human cytokeratins: patterns of expression in normal epithelia, tumors and cultured cells. Cell 31:11–24

    Google Scholar 

  • Orth JM (1982) Proliferation of Sertoli cells in fetal and postnatal rats: a quantitative autoradiographic study. Anat Rec 203:485–492

    Google Scholar 

  • Paranko J, Virtanen I (1986) Epithelial and mesenchymal cell differentiation in the fetal rat genital ducts: changes in the expression of cytokeratin and vimentin type of intermediate filaments and desmosomal plaque proteins. Develop Biol 117:135–145

    Google Scholar 

  • Paranko J, Kallajoki M, Pelliniemi LT, Lehto VP, Virtanen I (1986) Transcent coexpression of cytokeratin and vimentin in differentiating rat Sertoli cells. Develop Biol 117:35–44

    Google Scholar 

  • Paulin D, Lilienbaum A, Duprey P, Zhenlin L, Vicart P (1990) Regulatory elements of the human vimentin gene: activation during proliferation. Reprod Nutr Dev (in press)

  • Ramaekers FCS, Haag D, Kant A, Moesker O, Jap PHK, Vooijs GP (1983a) Coexpression of keratin- and vimentin-type intermediate filaments in human metastatic carcinoma cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 80:2618–2622

    Google Scholar 

  • Ramaeker FCS, Huysmans A, Moesker O, Kant A, Jap P, Herman C, Vooijs P (1983b) Monoclonal antibody to keratin filaments, specific for glandular epithelia and their tumor. Lab Invest 49:353–361

    Google Scholar 

  • Setchell BP (1978) Fluid secretion and the entry of substance into the tubules. In: Setchell BP (eds) The mammalian testis. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, pp 233

    Google Scholar 

  • Spruill WA, Steiner AL, Tres LL, Kierszenbaum AL (1983a) Follicle-stimulating hormone-dependent phosphorylation of vimentin in cultures of rat Sertoli cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 80:993–997

    Google Scholar 

  • Spruill WA, Zysk JR, Tres LL, Kierszenbaum AL (1983b) Calcium/calmodulin-dependent phosphorylation of vimentin in rat Sertoli cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 80:760–764

    Google Scholar 

  • Tung PS, Fritz IB (1984) Extracellular matrix promotes rat Sertoli cell histotypic expression in vitro. Biol Reprod 30:213–229

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Vorstenbosch CJAHV, Spek E, Colenbrander B, Wensing CJG (1984b) Sertoli cell development of pig testis in the fetal and neonatal period. Biol Reprod 31:565–577

    Google Scholar 

  • Virtanen L, Lehto VP, Lehtonen E, Vartio T, Stenman S, Kurki P, Wager O, Small JV, Dahl D, Badley RA (1981) Expression of intermediate filaments in cultured cells. J Cell Sci 50:45–63

    Google Scholar 

  • Virtanen J, Miettinen M, Lehto VP, Kariniemi AL, Paasivuo R (1985) Diagnostic application of monoclonal antibodies to intermediate filaments. Ann N Y Acad Sci 455:635–648

    Google Scholar 

  • Virtanen J, Heikinheimo K, Hormia M, Kivelä T, Laitinen L, Thornell LE (1989) Expression of intermediate filaments (IF) in tissues and cultured cells. Int J Dev Biol 33:55–61

    Google Scholar 

  • Waites GMH, Gladwell RT (1982) Physiological significance of fluid secretion in the testis and blood-testis barrier. Physiol Rev 62:624–671

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Guillou, F., Monet-Kuntz, C., Fontaine, I. et al. Expression of fetal-type intermediate filaments by 17-day-old rat Sertoli cells cultured on reconstituted basement membrane. Cell Tissue Res 260, 395–401 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00318642

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00318642

Key words

Navigation