Abstract
Testes from rats of different maturational ages were explored for presence of paracrine Sertoli cell growth factors. Pubertal and adult testes contained a 17 kDa protein, with potent stimulatory effect on immature Sertoli cell multiplication in vitro. The bioactivity of this protein was mimicked by rat interleukin-1 (IL-1) and neutralized by IL-1 receptor antagonist. A receptor-mediated action was further supported by the demonstration of IL-1 receptor type I mRNA and protein expression in the cultured Sertoli cells and in intact immature rat testes. IL-1α showed higher efficacy in stimulating proliferation than IL-1β and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and displayed synergistic action in combination with FSH. As IL-1α is constitutively produced by the rat testis and IL-1β readily inducible by proinflammatory stimuli, our results suggest that IL-1 may serve as a growth factor for Sertoli cells under physiological and pathophysiological conditions.
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