Expression of the Small Proteoglycans Biglycan and Decorin in the Adult Human Testis1

Abstract

The genes coding for the core proteins of the small chondroitin sulfate/dermatan sulfate proteoglycans (PGs) biglycan and decorin are both expressed in the adult human testis. Northern hybridization of human testicular mRNA indicated the presence of one specific transcript for biglycan at 2.6 kb and two specific transcripts for decorin at 1.6 kb and 1.9 kb. In situ hybridization localized the mRNA for biglycan to the peritubular tissue as well as to the tunica muscularis and adventitia of arteries. Leydig cells and cells of the seminiferous epithelium both proved to be negative. For decorin mRNA, strong signals were found over single, dispersed interstitial cells (possibly fibroblasts), the adventitious layer of large arteries, and the perivascular tissue cells of small arteries, arterioles, and capillaries. In the peritubular cell layers, decorin gene expression was comparably lower and was restricted to the outer fibroblast layers. Germ cells and Sertoli cells were devoid of any positive signal. Immunoblot analysis using specific antisera directed against the core proteins of biglycan and decorin confirmed their presence in chondroitin ABC lyase-treated proteinaceous extracts of the human testis. Immunohistochemistry for biglycan showed a good spatial correlation with the in situ hybridization data and revealed in addition a nonuniform distribution of the antigenic material, which was located predominantly over peritubular myoid cells and the adventitious layer of arteries. Together these results indicate that the expression of both genes in the human testis is differentially regulated, despite the overall similarity of their protein products, and suggest distinct roles for these PGs in testicular function.