2015 THE DISCOVERY OF TESTICULAR PODOCIN REVEALS A NEW APPROACH FOR THE PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF SERTOLI CELL ONLY SYNDROME

Abstract

You have accessJournal of UrologyInfertility: Physiology, Pathophysiology, Basic Research1 Apr 20112015 THE DISCOVERY OF TESTICULAR PODOCIN REVEALS A NEW APPROACH FOR THE PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF SERTOLI CELL ONLY SYNDROME Hannes Cash, Stefan Hinz, Christoph Brochhausen, Tom Florian Fuller, Kurt Miller, and Manfred Relle Hannes CashHannes Cash Berlin, Germany More articles by this author , Stefan HinzStefan Hinz Berlin, Germany More articles by this author , Christoph BrochhausenChristoph Brochhausen Mainz, Germany More articles by this author , Tom Florian FullerTom Florian Fuller Berlin, Germany More articles by this author , Kurt MillerKurt Miller Berlin, Germany More articles by this author , and Manfred RelleManfred Relle Mainz, Germany More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2011.02.2243AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Podocin represents a critical structural protein of the glomerular filtration barrier. Until now the existence of extrarenal podocin was never proven. The objective of this study was to examine possible extrarenal expression of podocin. Since we were able to prove podocin expression in the human testis we further investigated the cellular expression profile of podocin in normal testicular tissue, sertoli cell tumors and sertoli-cell-only syndrome (SCOS). The pathophysiology of SCOS remains fairly unknown. METHODS A display of human tissues was tested for extrarenal podocin expression by RT-PCR and immunoblot. Testicular podocin expression pattern was determined by immunohistochemistry and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Podocin expression in testes of healthy men and of men with SCOS was quantified by quantitative Real-time PCR. RESULTS We reveal human testis to be the only extrarenal tissue to express podocin. Podocin is co-localized with f-actin in the seminiferous tubules. The immunohistochemical staining patterns of healthy testis and sertoli cell tumor show membranous podocin expression between interdigitating Sertoli cells. These results suggest an association of podocin with the cytoskeleton and hence a role within the blood/testis barrier. Real-time-PCR analysis in testis of men with SCOS showed a complete absence of podocin compared to healthy men. CONCLUSIONS For the first time we were able to demonstrate an extrarenal podocin expression. Sertoli cells seem to be the origin of testicular podocin, where it is co-localized with filamentous actin in the intercellular space. We thus hypothesize an association of podocin with the blood/testis barrier, in analogy to other structural proteins (densin, nephrin) both expressed in podocytes and in testis. Interestingly, in testes of men with sertoli-cell-only syndrome (SCOS) podocin was not expressed. Thus our findings reveal a new approach for the pathophysiology of SCOS, indicating a possible dysfunction of the blood/testis barrier. Where Podocin is associated with the blood/testis barrier and further functional data remains of interest. © 2011 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 185Issue 4SApril 2011Page: e806 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2011 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Hannes Cash Berlin, Germany More articles by this author Stefan Hinz Berlin, Germany More articles by this author Christoph Brochhausen Mainz, Germany More articles by this author Tom Florian Fuller Berlin, Germany More articles by this author Kurt Miller Berlin, Germany More articles by this author Manfred Relle Mainz, Germany More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...