Sertoli cells require hnRNPC to surport normal spermatogenesis and male fertility in mice.

Abstract

Sertoli cells (SCs) act as highly polarized testicular cells that nutritionally support multiple stages of germ cell development. However, the gene regulation network in SCs for modulating germ cell development has yet to be fully understood. In this study, we report that heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins C (hnRNPC) in SCs are essential for germ cell development and male fertility. Conditional knockout of hnRNPC in mouse SCs leads to aberrant SC proliferation, disrupted cytoskeleton of SCs, and compromised blood-testis barrier function, resulting in loss of supportive cell function and, ultimately, defective spermiogenesis in mice. Further RNA-seq analyses revealed these phenotypes are likely caused by the dysregulated genes in hnRNPC-deficient SCs related to cell adhesion, cell proliferation, and apoptotic process. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that hnRNPC plays a critical role in SCs for maintaining the function of SCs and sustaining steady-state spermatogenesis in mice.