Hunan Normal University School of Medicine, 371 Tongzipo Road, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China.
Cell Mol Life Sci. 2019 Jul;76(14):2681-2695. doi: 10.1007/s00018-019-03101-9. Epub 2019 Apr 12.
Spermatogenesis is fundamental to the establishment and maintenance of male reproduction, whereas its abnormality results in male infertility. Somatic cells, including Leydig cells, myoid cells, and Sertoli cells, constitute the microenvironment or the niche of testis, which is essential for regulating normal spermatogenesis. Leydig cells are an important component of the testicular stroma, while peritubular myoid cells are one of the major cell types of seminiferous tubules. Here we addressed the roles and mechanisms of Leydig cells and myoid cells in the regulation of spermatogenesis. Specifically, we summarized the biological features of Leydig cells and peritubular myoid cells, and we introduced the process of testosterone production and its major regulation. We also discussed other hormones, cytokines, growth factors, transcription factors and receptors associated with Leydig cells and myoid cells in mediating spermatogenesis. Furthermore, we highlighted the issues that are worthy of further studies in the regulation of spermatogenesis by Leydig cells and peritubular myoid cells. This review would provide novel insights into molecular mechanisms of the somatic cells in controlling spermatogenesis, and it could offer new targets for developing therapeutic approaches of male infertility.
精子发生对于建立和维持男性生殖至关重要，而其异常则导致男性不育。体细胞，包括睾丸间质中的 Leydig 细胞、肌样细胞和支持细胞，构成了睾丸的微环境或小生境，对于调节正常精子发生是必不可少的。Leydig 细胞是睾丸间质的重要组成部分，而管周肌样细胞是生精小管的主要细胞类型之一。在这里，我们探讨了 Leydig 细胞和肌样细胞在调节精子发生中的作用和机制。具体来说，我们总结了 Leydig 细胞和管周肌样细胞的生物学特征，并介绍了睾酮产生的过程及其主要调节。我们还讨论了与 Leydig 细胞和肌样细胞相关的其他激素、细胞因子、生长因子、转录因子和受体在介导精子发生中的作用。此外，我们强调了 Leydig 细胞和管周肌样细胞在调节精子发生方面值得进一步研究的问题。本综述将为体细胞控制精子发生的分子机制提供新的见解，并为男性不育症的治疗方法提供新的靶点。
