Division of Cell Biology and Experimental Cancer Research, Institute of Pathology, University of Berne, Switzerland.
Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2011 Apr 30;337(1-2):62-70. doi: 10.1016/j.mce.2011.01.021. Epub 2011 Feb 2.
NPY receptors represent novel molecular therapeutic targets in cancer and obesity. However, the extent of NPY receptor expression in normal human tissues is poorly investigated. Based on the role of NPY in reproductive functions, the NPY receptor expression was studied in 25 normal human testes and, additionally, 24 testicular tumors using NPY receptor autoradiography. In the normal testis, Leydig cells strongly expressed NPY receptor subtype Y2, and small arterial blood vessels Y1. Y2 receptors were found to be functional with agonist-stimulated [(35)S]GTPγS binding autoradiography. Full functional integrity of the NPY system was further suggested by the immunohistochemical detection of NPY peptide in nerve fibers directly adjacent to Leydig cells and arteries. Germ cell tumors expressed Y1 and Y2 on tumor cells in 33% and Y1 on intratumoral blood vessels in 50%. Based on its strong NPY receptor expression in Leydig cells and blood vessels, the normal human testis represents a potentially important physiological and pharmalogical NPY target.
NPY 受体是癌症和肥胖症新的分子治疗靶点。然而，正常人体组织中 NPY 受体的表达程度尚未得到充分研究。基于 NPY 在生殖功能中的作用，本研究采用 NPY 受体放射自显影技术，研究了 25 例正常人类睾丸和 24 例睾丸肿瘤中 NPY 受体的表达。在正常睾丸中，Leydig 细胞强烈表达 NPY 受体亚型 Y2，小动脉血管表达 Y1。用激动剂刺激 [(35)S]GTPγS 结合放射自显影术发现 Y2 受体具有功能性。免疫组织化学检测到紧邻 Leydig 细胞和动脉的神经纤维中存在 NPY 肽，进一步提示 NPY 系统具有完整的功能完整性。生殖细胞瘤在肿瘤细胞中表达 Y1 和 Y2（33%），在肿瘤内血管中表达 Y1（50%）。由于正常人类睾丸中 Leydig 细胞和血管中 NPY 受体的强烈表达，正常人类睾丸可能是一个具有重要生理和药理作用的 NPY 靶点。
