Vol 47, No 1 (2009)
Original paper
Submitted: 2011-12-19
Published online: 2009-05-08
Cytokeratin 18 expression in immature Sertoli cells: co-localization with interstitial lymphocytic infiltrates.
Roland Kruse, Sibylle Eigelshoven, Anna Kaiser, Thomas Ruzicka, Norbert J Neumann
DOI: 10.2478/v10042-009-0009-z
·
Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2009;47(1):127-130.
Vol 47, No 1 (2009)
ORIGINAL PAPERS
Submitted: 2011-12-19
Published online: 2009-05-08
Abstract
Although multiple interactions of seminiferous tubules and the interstitial testicular tissue are known, correlation of cytokeratin 18 expressing Sertoli cells with interstitial changes has still not yet been reported. Considering this fact, we focused our investigation on changes of the adjacent interstitial tissue. A total sample of 51 testicular biopsies (from infertile patients) showing mixed atrophy was examined immunohistochemically with antibodies against cytokeratin 18, vimentin, L26/CD20, CD4 and CD8. Twenty-one of the 51 cases showed single seminiferous tubules with Sertoli cells expressing cytokeratin 18. These 21 tubules consistently exhibit either spermatogenic arrest at the level of spermatogonia or only immature Sertoli cells. In the adjacent interstitial tissue of 8 of the 21 cytokeratin 18 positive tubules (39%) striking inflammatory infiltrates--predominantly expressing L26/CD20 typical for B lymphocytes and CD8 typical for T suppressor lymphocytes--were detected. These findings underline that tubules with cytokeratin 18 expressing Sertoli cells exhibit early spermatogenic arrest or only few remaining Sertoli cells. Additionally, we observed a remarkable co-localization of these tubules with lymphocytic infiltrates of the adjacent interstitial tissue.
Abstract
Although multiple interactions of seminiferous tubules and the interstitial testicular tissue are known, correlation of cytokeratin 18 expressing Sertoli cells with interstitial changes has still not yet been reported. Considering this fact, we focused our investigation on changes of the adjacent interstitial tissue. A total sample of 51 testicular biopsies (from infertile patients) showing mixed atrophy was examined immunohistochemically with antibodies against cytokeratin 18, vimentin, L26/CD20, CD4 and CD8. Twenty-one of the 51 cases showed single seminiferous tubules with Sertoli cells expressing cytokeratin 18. These 21 tubules consistently exhibit either spermatogenic arrest at the level of spermatogonia or only immature Sertoli cells. In the adjacent interstitial tissue of 8 of the 21 cytokeratin 18 positive tubules (39%) striking inflammatory infiltrates--predominantly expressing L26/CD20 typical for B lymphocytes and CD8 typical for T suppressor lymphocytes--were detected. These findings underline that tubules with cytokeratin 18 expressing Sertoli cells exhibit early spermatogenic arrest or only few remaining Sertoli cells. Additionally, we observed a remarkable co-localization of these tubules with lymphocytic infiltrates of the adjacent interstitial tissue.
Title
Cytokeratin 18 expression in immature Sertoli cells: co-localization with interstitial lymphocytic infiltrates.
Journal
Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica
Issue
Vol 47, No 1 (2009)
Article type
Original paper
Pages
127-130
Published online
2009-05-08
Page views
2179
Article views/downloads
1767
DOI
10.2478/v10042-009-0009-z
Bibliographic record
Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2009;47(1):127-130.
Authors
Roland Kruse
Sibylle Eigelshoven
Anna Kaiser
Thomas Ruzicka
Norbert J Neumann
About this article