Feng H L, Sandlow J I, Sparks A E, Sandra A, Zheng L J
Department of Urology, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242-1089, USA.
Fertil Steril. 1999 Jan;71(1):85-9. doi: 10.1016/s0015-0282(98)00401-4.
To examine the expression of the c-kit receptor and its ligand, stem cell factor, and their possible relation with apoptosis in infertile men.
Prospective laboratory study.
Urology laboratory in a university hospital.
PATIENT(S): Men undergoing testicular biopsy during an investigation of subfertility.
INTERVENTION(S): None.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Expression of the c-kit receptor protein, stem cell factor, and apoptosis in the testes.
RESULT(S): The c-kit receptor was strongly present in Leydig cells and type A spermatogonia of normal testes, with decreased staining in Leydig cells and type A spermatogonia of testes with maturational arrest, and staining in only Leydig cells of Sertoli cell-only specimens. Stem cell factor was demonstrated in Leydig cells and Sertoli cells in all specimens. Western blotting demonstrated the 150-kd c-kit protein in the normal testes and the testes with maturational arrest, but not in the testes with the Sertoli cell-only pattern. Stem cell factor was expressed in all specimens, with a protein size of 45 kd. Increased apoptosis was demonstrated in type A spermatogonia and spermatocytes of tissue with maturational arrest compared with normal testicular tissue.
CONCLUSION(S): C-kit receptor expression is decreased in subfertile testicular tissue compared with normal testicular tissue. Stem cell factor expression is present in Leydig cells and Sertoli cells. Increased apoptosis is seen in tissue with maturational arrest compared with normal tissue.
检测c-kit受体及其配体干细胞因子的表达，以及它们与不育男性细胞凋亡的可能关系。
前瞻性实验室研究。
大学医院泌尿外科实验室。
在不育症调查期间接受睾丸活检的男性。
无。
睾丸中c-kit受体蛋白、干细胞因子的表达及细胞凋亡情况。
c-kit受体在正常睾丸的间质细胞和A型精原细胞中强烈表达，在成熟停滞睾丸的间质细胞和A型精原细胞中染色减弱，在唯支持细胞标本中仅在间质细胞中有染色。在所有标本的间质细胞和支持细胞中均检测到干细胞因子。蛋白质免疫印迹法显示正常睾丸和成熟停滞睾丸中有150-kd的c-kit蛋白，但在唯支持细胞型睾丸中未检测到。所有标本中均表达干细胞因子，蛋白大小为45 kd。与正常睾丸组织相比，成熟停滞组织的A型精原细胞和精母细胞中细胞凋亡增加。
与正常睾丸组织相比，不育睾丸组织中c-kit受体表达降低。间质细胞和支持细胞中存在干细胞因子表达。与正常组织相比，成熟停滞组织中可见细胞凋亡增加。
