Autoimmune Regulator Enhanced the Expression of Caspase-3 and Did Not Induce Massive Germ Cell Apoptosis in GC1-Spg Cells.

Background/aims: AIRE is known for its involvement in autoreactive T-cell deletion in thymic epithelium. Though extrathymic expression of AIRE is well documented, the functional relevance of AIRE in non-thymus tissues is emerging. AIRE is expressed in neonatal and adult testis, and has been implicated in sporadic germ cell apoptosis in developing testis.