Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
J Reprod Immunol. 2022 Aug;152:103625. doi: 10.1016/j.jri.2022.103625. Epub 2022 Apr 15.
The mammalian testis requires a highly organized microenvironment for the execution of its main functions, sperm production and testosterone synthesis. The testis possesses an immunoprivileged status essential for the protection of immunogenic male germ cells from detrimental immune responses. To counteract microbial infections, the tissue-specific cells are well equipped with innate defense machineries, termed pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), that can initiate innate immune responses. However, PRR-initiated innate immune responses in testicular cells may disrupt the immunoprivileged status and result in orchitis, thereby impairing spermatogenesis and testosterone synthesis. The mechanisms underlying the innate defense system and immunological pathophysiology in the testis have been intensively studied. Testicular immune homeostasis and disorders are regulated by a coordination of the tissue structure and cellular functions. This article focuses on the pivotal roles that Sertoli cells play in regulating testicular immune homeostasis by facilitating the blood-testis barrier, phagocytosis, paracrine, and innate immune responses.
哺乳动物的睾丸需要高度组织化的微环境才能执行其主要功能，即精子生成和睾酮合成。睾丸具有免疫特权地位，对于保护免疫原性的雄性生殖细胞免受有害的免疫反应至关重要。为了抵抗微生物感染，组织特异性细胞配备了固有防御机制，称为模式识别受体（PRRs），可以启动固有免疫反应。然而，睾丸细胞中 PRR 引发的固有免疫反应可能会破坏免疫特权状态，导致睾丸炎，从而损害精子发生和睾酮合成。固有防御系统和睾丸免疫病理生理学的机制已得到深入研究。睾丸的免疫稳态和紊乱是通过组织结构和细胞功能的协调来调节的。本文重点介绍了支持血睾屏障、吞噬作用、旁分泌和固有免疫反应的支持细胞在调节睾丸免疫稳态方面的关键作用。
