The role of IL-6, IL-10, TNF-alpha and its receptors TNFR1 and TNFR2 in the local regulatory system of normal and impaired human spermatogenesis.

Problem: To investigate the expression of genes coding for selected cytokines with antagonistic functions (IL-6, IL-10, TNF-alpha) as well as TNF-alpha receptors (TNFR1 and TNFR2) in correct spermatogenesis (normal proliferation), maturation arrest (proliferation inhibited) and testicular tumors (overgrowth).

Method Of Study: Transcription levels of genes coding for IL-6, IL-10, TNF-alpha, TNFR1 and TNFR2 were quantitatively examined using a real-time RT-PCR.

Results: Significantly higher amounts of IL-6 mRNA were observed in testicular tumor samples than in normal spermatogenesis or in some syndromes with maturation arrest (MA at spermatid level or SCOS), while IL-10 gene levels were fairly stable.

Crem activator isoforms in normal and impaired human spermatogenesis analyzed by real time RT-PCR.

cAMP responsive element modulator (CREM) activator isoforms are involved in mammalian spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis. CREM proteins are highly expressed in postmeiotic germ cells of rodents and primates. Homozygous CREM inactivated mice exhibit round spermatid maturation arrest.

Identification of IL-18RAP mRNA truncated splice variants in human testis and the other human tissues.

IL-18 is a pleiotropic cytokine involved in the regulation of both innate and adaptive immunity. It plays a key role in the autoimmune, inflammatory and infectious diseases. IL-18 acts via a receptor complex that closely resembles that of IL-1, consisting of a ligand binding protein, IL-18Ralpha, and an accessory protein, IL-18RAP (IL-18Rbeta).