Abstract
Platelet-derived growth factor receptor-α (PDGFRα)-positive interstitial cells (ICs) are widely distributed in various organs and may be involved in the motility of various tubular organs. We, for the first time, aimed to investigate the distribution, immunohistochemical characteristics, and ultrastructure of PDGFRα-positive ICs in murine vas deferens, using confocal laser scanning microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and immuno-electron microscopy (immuno-EM). For immunofluorescence, we used antibodies against PDGFRα and other markers of ICs. PDGFRα-positive ICs were distributed widely in the lamina propria, smooth muscles, and serosal layers. Although most PDGFRα-positive ICs labeled CD34, they did not label CD34 in the subepithelial layers. Additionally, PDGFRα-positive ICs were in close proximity to each other, as also to the surrounding cells. TEM and immuno-EM findings revealed that PDGFRα-positive ICs established close physical interactions with adjacent ICs. Extracellular vesicles were also detected around the PDGFRα-positive ICs. Our morphological findings suggest that PDGFRα-positive ICs may have several subpopulations, which can play an important role in intercellular signaling via direct contact with the IC network and the extracellular vesicles in the murine vas deferens. Further investigation on PDGFRα-positive ICs in the vas deferens may lead to understanding the vas deferens mortility.
Highlights
Platelet-derived growth factor receptor-α (PDGFRα)-positive interstitial cells (ICs) are widely distributed in various organs and may be involved in the motility of various tubular organs
Like c-Kit, PDGFRα is a tyrosine-protein kinase that acts as a cell-surface receptor for certain isoforms of platelet-derived growth factors (PDGFs), and stimulates cell signaling pathways that elicit responses such as cellular growth and differentiation[9]
PDGFRα-positive ICs in the male genitalia have been reported in the testes[18,19] and seminal vesicles[20], they have not been investigated in the vas deferens
Summary
Platelet-derived growth factor receptor-α (PDGFRα)-positive interstitial cells (ICs) are widely distributed in various organs and may be involved in the motility of various tubular organs. The vas deferens plays an important role in male ejaculation, during which the smooth muscle in the wall contract reflexively, propelling the sperm forward. This is known as p eristalsis[1]. ICC can be identified by their unique ultrastructural feature, since they have small cell bodies and several elongated processes whose length reaches approximately 100 μm They have numerous mitochondria and caveolae, abundant intermediate filaments, a discontinuous basal lamina, moderately developed Golgi apparatus, rough and smooth endoplasmic reticula, close contact with nerve varicosities and formation of numerous gap junctions with each other and with smooth muscle cells[7]. Platelet-derived growth factor receptor-α (PDGFRα)-positive interstitial cells (ICs), with ultrastructural characteristics similar to those of ICC, have been reported in various organs other than the gastrointestinal tract[8]. PDGFRα-positive ICs in the male genitalia have been reported in the testes[18,19] and seminal vesicles[20], they have not been investigated in the vas deferens
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