Chapter 19 - Sertoli Cell Lines

Abstract

This chapter discusses several Sertoli cell lines and their importance. Effective cell lines can greatly facilitate research on Sertoli cell function by providing a readily available supply of cells with consistent and predictable properties. An ideal Sertoli cell line should facilitate the research of germ cell–Sertoli cell interaction, gene regulation, protein secretion and processing, protein production and isolation, and germ cell development including stem cell propagation. With the exception of a series of lines from sheep, the SM lines, all other Sertoli cell lines developed are derived from the mouse or rat. The first Sertoli cell line reported—the TM4 cell line—was established by passing cultures of immature mouse Sertoli cells over many generations until an immortal line was obtained. TM4 cells can be used as a feeder layer for the culture of primordial germ cells isolated from embryos and have been shown, like primary cultures of Sertoli cells, to inhibit gonocyte proliferation. The mouse Sertoli cell 1 (MSC-1) cell line retain the expression of characteristic Sertoli cell proteins such as transferrin, SGP-2 (clusterin), and inhibin βB. They do not express the FSH receptor, a Sertoli cell–specific gene product, but they are responsive to stimulation by cAMP analogues, indicating that the second messenger system used by the FSH receptor remains intact in MSC-1 cells.