TY - JOUR
T1 - Transforming growth factor-α, epidermal growth factor, and epidermal growth factor receptor in human testis obtained from biopsy and castration
T2 - Immunohistochemical study
AU - Nakazumi, Hisayoshi
AU - Sasano, Hironobu
AU - Maehara, Ikuo
AU - Orikasa, Seiichi
N1 - Copyright:
Copyright 2018 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 1996/4
Y1 - 1996/4
N2 - We analyzed expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-α, epidermal growth factor (EGF) and their receptor, EGF receptor (EGFR), by immunohistochemistry in the human testis to determine the possible roles of these growth factors in human testicular function. Specimens were obtained from 17 patients including 9 patients with infertility, 4 patients with prostatic carcinoma and 4 patients with contralateral testicular tumor. EGF immunoreactivity was positive in the hyperplasic Leydig cells of one patient but negative in the other cases. On the other hand, strong TGF-α immunoreactivity was observed in Leydig cells, with weak staining in Sertoli cells and germ cells in cases with normal spermatogenesis. EGFR immunoreactivity was observed in the Leydig and peritubular cells, appearing as membrane staining. Marked immunoreactivity for TGF-α was observed in the Sertoli cells in testes with decreased spermatogenesis, especially in the Sertoli-cell-only syndrome. This finding may indicate a compensatory increase of TGF-α expression in the Sertoli cells accompanying a decrease in spermatogenesis. No significant correlation was found between the degrees of spermatogenesis and immunolocalization of the EGF receptor. These findings suggestthat TGF-α is a locally produced growth factor that is involved in spermatogenesis in the human testis via an autocrine and/or paracrine mechanism.
AB - We analyzed expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-α, epidermal growth factor (EGF) and their receptor, EGF receptor (EGFR), by immunohistochemistry in the human testis to determine the possible roles of these growth factors in human testicular function. Specimens were obtained from 17 patients including 9 patients with infertility, 4 patients with prostatic carcinoma and 4 patients with contralateral testicular tumor. EGF immunoreactivity was positive in the hyperplasic Leydig cells of one patient but negative in the other cases. On the other hand, strong TGF-α immunoreactivity was observed in Leydig cells, with weak staining in Sertoli cells and germ cells in cases with normal spermatogenesis. EGFR immunoreactivity was observed in the Leydig and peritubular cells, appearing as membrane staining. Marked immunoreactivity for TGF-α was observed in the Sertoli cells in testes with decreased spermatogenesis, especially in the Sertoli-cell-only syndrome. This finding may indicate a compensatory increase of TGF-α expression in the Sertoli cells accompanying a decrease in spermatogenesis. No significant correlation was found between the degrees of spermatogenesis and immunolocalization of the EGF receptor. These findings suggestthat TGF-α is a locally produced growth factor that is involved in spermatogenesis in the human testis via an autocrine and/or paracrine mechanism.
KW - EGF
KW - EGFR
KW - Immunohistochemistry
KW - TGF-α
KW - Testis
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U2 - 10.1620/tjem.178.381
DO - 10.1620/tjem.178.381
M3 - Article
C2 - 8804155
AN - SCOPUS:0030114876
VL - 178
SP - 381
EP - 388
JO - Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine
JF - Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine
SN - 0040-8727
IS - 4
ER -