scholarly journals Cell–cell Interaction Underlies Formation of Fluid in the Male Reproductive Tract of the Rat

2005 ◽  
Vol 125 (5) ◽  
pp. 443-454 ◽  
Author(s):  
King-ho Cheung ◽  
George P.H. Leung ◽  
Matthew C.T. Leung ◽  
Winnie W.C. Shum ◽  
Wen-liang Zhou ◽  
...  

The epithelia lining the epididymides of many species consists of several cell types. We have provided evidence that the basal cells are essential to the integrated functions of the epithelium. Basal cells, but not principal cells, and other cells in the epididymis express TRPC3 and COX-1. We have isolated basal cells from intact rat epididymis using antibody-coated Dynabeads and subjected them to whole-cell patch-clamp measurement of nonselective cation channel activity, a feature of TRPC3 protein, and Fluo-3 fluorescence measurement of intracellular Ca2+ concentration. The results show that a nonselective cation current blockable by La3+ (0.1 mM), Gd3+ (0.1 mM), or SKF96365 (20 μM) could be activated by lysylbradykinin (200 nM). In cells loaded with Fluo-3, addition of lysylbradykinin (100 nM) caused a sustained increase of intracellular Ca2+. This effect was blocked by Gd3+ (0.1 mM) or SKF96365 (20 μM) and was not observed in Fluo-3–loaded principal cells. Stimulation of basal cell/principal cell cocultures with lysylbradykinin (200 nM) evoked in principal cells a current with CFTR-Cl− channel characteristics. Isolated principal cells in the absence of basal cells did not respond to lysylbradykinin but responded to PGE2 (100 nM) with activation of a CFTR-like current. Basal cells, but not principal cells, released prostaglandin E2 when stimulated with lysylbradykinin (100 nM). The release was blocked by SKF96365 (20 μM) and BAPTA-AM (0.05 or 0.1 mM). Confluent cell monolayers harvested from a mixture of disaggregated principal cells and basal cells responded to lysylbradykinin (100 nM) and PGE2 (500 nM) with an increase in electrogenic anion secretion. The former response was dependent on prostaglandin synthesis as piroxicam blocked the response. However, cell cultures obtained from principal cells alone responded to PGE2 but not to bradykinin. These results support the notion that basal cells regulate principal cells through a Ca2+ and COX signaling pathway.

Author(s):  
Vera D. Rinaldi ◽  
Elisa Donnard ◽  
Kyle J. Gellatly ◽  
Morten Rasmussen ◽  
Alper Kucukural ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTFollowing spermatogenesis in the testis, mammalian sperm continue to mature over the course of approximately 10 days as they transit a long epithelial tube known as the epididymis. The epididymis is comprised of multiple segments/compartments that, in addition to concentrating sperm and preventing their premature activation, play key roles in remodeling the protein, lipid, and RNA composition of maturing sperm. In order to understand the complex roles for the epididymis in reproductive biology, we generated a single cell atlas of gene expression from the murine epididymis and vas deferens. We recovered all the key cell types of the epididymal epithelium, including principal cells, clear cells, and basal cells, along with associated support cells that include fibroblasts, smooth muscle, macrophages and other immune cells. Moreover, our data illuminate extensive regional specialization of principal cell populations across the length of the epididymis, with a substantial fraction of segment-specific genes localized in genomic clusters of functionally-related genes. In addition to the extensive region-specific specialization of principal cells, we find evidence for functionally-specialized subpopulations of stromal cells, and, most notably, two distinct populations of clear cells. Analysis of ligand/receptor expression reveals a network of potential cellular signaling connections, with several predicted interactions between cell types that may play roles in immune cell recruitment and other aspects of epididymal function. Our dataset extends on existing knowledge of epididymal biology, and provides a wealth of information on potential regulatory and signaling factors that bear future investigation.


eLife ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vera D Rinaldi ◽  
Elisa Donnard ◽  
Kyle Gellatly ◽  
Morten Rasmussen ◽  
Alper Kucukural ◽  
...  

Following testicular spermatogenesis, mammalian sperm continue to mature in a long epithelial tube known as the epididymis, which plays key roles in remodeling sperm protein, lipid, and RNA composition. To understand the roles for the epididymis in reproductive biology, we generated a single-cell atlas of the murine epididymis and vas deferens. We recovered key epithelial cell types including principal cells, clear cells, and basal cells, along with associated support cells that include fibroblasts, smooth muscle, macrophages and other immune cells. Moreover, our data illuminate extensive regional specialization of principal cell populations across the length of the epididymis. In addition to region-specific specialization of principal cells, we find evidence for functionally specialized subpopulations of stromal cells, and, most notably, two distinct populations of clear cells. Our dataset extends on existing knowledge of epididymal biology, and provides a wealth of information on potential regulatory and signaling factors that bear future investigation.


2005 ◽  
Vol 53 (6) ◽  
pp. 699-713 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louis Hermo ◽  
Dennis Lee Chong ◽  
Pierre Moffatt ◽  
William S. Sly ◽  
Abdul Waheed ◽  
...  

We employed RT-PCR followed by light microscope immunocytochemistry on St. Marie's- and Bouin's-fixed tissues to define the distribution of carbonic anhydrase (CA) isoforms in the male reproductive tract. The data revealed that CA II, III, IV, XII, and XIV were expressed in rat epididymis. Whereas CA III was found in principal cells of all epididymal regions, CA II was localized in narrow cells of the initial segment and principal cells of all regions. CA XII expression was most intense in the corpus and proximal cauda regions, where it appeared over the basolateral plasma membranes of principal cells. Narrow cells of the initial segment also revealed intense reactions, as did basal cells of the corpus and proximal cauda regions. Principal cells of the initial segment and proximal caput regions showed diffuse apical cytosolic reactions and occasional basolateral staining for CA XIV, whereas principal cells of distal regions showed more diffuse cytosolic reactions highlighting both apical and basal regions of the cell, with basal cells also being reactive. These data suggest subtle differences in cell type and subcellular- and region-specific distributions for CAs in their role of fine-tuning pH in the lumen, cell cytosol, and intervening intercellular spaces of the epididymis.


Author(s):  
Mohinder S. Jarial

The axolotl is a strictly aquatic salamander in which the larval external gills are retained throughout life. The external gills of the adult axolotl have been studied by light and electron microscopy for ultrastructural evidence of ionic transport. The thin epidermis of the gill filaments and gill stems is composed of 3 cell types: granular cells, the basal cells and a sparce population of intervening Leydig cells. The gill epidermis is devoid of muscles, and no mitotic figures were observed in any of its cells.The granular cells cover the gill surface as a continuous layer (Fig. 1, G) and contain secretory granules of different forms, located apically (Figs.1, 2, SG). Some granules are found intimately associated with the apical membrane while others fuse with it and release their contents onto the external surface (Fig. 3). The apical membranes of the granular cells exhibit microvilli which are covered by a PAS+ fuzzy coat, termed “glycocalyx” (Fig. 2, MV).


Author(s):  
K. Chien ◽  
R. Van de Velde ◽  
I.P. Shintaku ◽  
A.F. Sassoon

Immunoelectron microscopy of neoplastic lymphoma cells is valuable for precise localization of surface antigens and identification of cell types. We have developed a new approach in which the immunohistochemical staining can be evaluated prior to embedding for EM and desired area subsequently selected for ultrathin sectioning.A freshly prepared lymphoma cell suspension is spun onto polylysine hydrobromide- coated glass slides by cytocentrifugation and immediately fixed without air drying in polylysine paraformaldehyde (PLP) fixative. After rinsing in PBS, slides are stained by a 3-step immunoperoxidase method. Cell monolayer is then fixed in buffered 3% glutaraldehyde prior to DAB reaction. After the DAB reaction step, wet monolayers can be examined under LM for presence of brown reaction product and selected monolayers then processed by routine methods for EM and embedded with the Chien Re-embedding Mold. After the polymerization, the epoxy blocks are easily separated from the glass slides by heatingon a 100°C hot plate for 20 seconds.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (10) ◽  
pp. 5346
Author(s):  
Rabab N. Hamzah ◽  
Karrer M. Alghazali ◽  
Alexandru S. Biris ◽  
Robert J. Griffin

Exosomes are small vesicles with an average diameter of 100 nm that are produced by many, if not all, cell types. Exosome cargo includes lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids arranged specifically in the endosomes of donor cells. Exosomes can transfer the donor cell components to target cells and can affect cell signaling, proliferation, and differentiation. Important new information about exosomes’ remote communication with other cells is rapidly being accumulated. Recent data indicates that the results of this communication depend on the donor cell type and the environment of the host cell. In the field of cancer research, major questions remain, such as whether tumor cell exosomes are equally taken up by cancer cells and normal cells and whether exosomes secreted by normal cells are specifically taken up by other normal cells or also tumor cells. Furthermore, we do not know how exosome uptake is made selective, how we can trace exosome uptake selectivity, or what the most appropriate methods are to study exosome uptake and selectivity. This review will explain the effect of exosome source and the impact of the donor cell growth environment on tumor and normal cell interaction and communication. The review will also summarize the methods that have been used to label and trace exosomes to date.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shao-Zhen Lin ◽  
Wu-Yang Zhang ◽  
Dapeng Bi ◽  
Bo Li ◽  
Xi-Qiao Feng

AbstractInvestigation of energy mechanisms at the collective cell scale is a challenge for understanding various biological processes, such as embryonic development and tumor metastasis. Here we investigate the energetics of self-sustained mesoscale turbulence in confluent two-dimensional (2D) cell monolayers. We find that the kinetic energy and enstrophy of collective cell flows in both epithelial and non-epithelial cell monolayers collapse to a family of probability density functions, which follow the q-Gaussian distribution rather than the Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution. The enstrophy scales linearly with the kinetic energy as the monolayer matures. The energy spectra exhibit a power-decaying law at large wavenumbers, with a scaling exponent markedly different from that in the classical 2D Kolmogorov–Kraichnan turbulence. These energetic features are demonstrated to be common for all cell types on various substrates with a wide range of stiffness. This study provides unique clues to understand active natures of cell population and tissues.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soheila Montazersaheb ◽  
Ezzatollah Fathi ◽  
Ayoub Mamandi ◽  
Raheleh Farahzadi ◽  
Hamid Reza Heidari

: Tumors are made up of different types of cancer cells that contribute to tumor heterogeneity. Among these cells, cancer stem cells (CSCs) have a significant role in the onset of cancer and development. Like other stem cells, CSCs are characterized by the capacity for differentiation and self-renewal. A specific population of CSCs is constituted by mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that differentiate into mesoderm-specific cells. The pro-or anti-tumorigenic potential of MSCs on the proliferation and development of tumor cells has been reported as contradictory results. Also, tumor progression is specified by the corresponding tumor cells like the tumor microenvironment. The tumor microenvironment consists of a network of reciprocal cell types such as endothelial cells, immune cells, MSCs, and fibroblasts as well as growth factors, chemokines, and cytokines. In this review, recent findings related to the tumor microenvironment and associated cell populations, homing of MSCs to tumor sites, and interaction of MSCs with tumor cells will be discussed.


2002 ◽  
Vol 283 (2) ◽  
pp. L297-L304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larissa A. Shimoda ◽  
Laura E. Welsh ◽  
David B. Pearse

Endothelial barrier dysfunction is typically triggered by increased intracellular Ca2+concentration. Membrane-permeable analogs of guanosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) prevent disruption of endothelial cell integrity. Because membrane potential ( E m), which influences the electrochemical gradient for Ca2+ influx, is regulated by K+ channels, we investigated the effect of 8-bromo-cGMP on E m and inwardly rectifying K+ (KIR) currents in bovine pulmonary artery and microvascular endothelial cells (BPAEC and BMVEC), using whole cell patch-clamp techniques. Both cell types exhibited inward currents at potentials negative to −50 mV that were abolished by application of 10 μM Ba2+, consistent with KIR current. Ba2+ also depolarized both cell types. 8-Bromo-cGMP (10−3 M) depolarized BPAEC and BMVEC and inhibited KIR current. Pretreatment with Rp-8-cPCT-cGMPS or KT-5823, protein kinase G (PKG) antagonists, did not prevent current inhibition by 8-bromo-cGMP. These data suggest that 8-bromo-cGMP induces depolarization in BPAEC and BMVEC due, in part, to PKG-independent inhibition of KIR current. The depolarization could be a protective mechanism that prevents endothelial cell barrier dysfunction by reducing the driving force for Ca2+ entry.


1995 ◽  
Vol 268 (4) ◽  
pp. C1067-C1074 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. E. O'Donnell ◽  
J. D. Brandt ◽  
F. R. Curry

The trabecular meshwork (TM) of the eye plays a critical role in modulating intraocular pressure (IOP) through regulation of aqueous humor outflow, although the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Ethacrynic acid, an agent known to inhibit Na-K-Cl cotransport of a number of cell types, recently has been reported to increase aqueous outflow and lower IOP through an unknown effect on the TM. In vascular endothelial cells and a variety of other cell types, the Na-K-Cl cotransporter functions to regulate intracellular volume. The present study was conducted to evaluate TM cells for the presence of Na-K-Cl cotransport activity and to test the hypothesis that modulation of cotransport activity alters intracellular volume and, consequently, permeability of the TM. We demonstrate here that bovine and human TM cells exhibit robust Na-K-Cl cotransport activity that is inhibited by bumetanide and by ethacrynic acid. Our studies also show that TM cell Na-K-Cl cotransport is modulated by a variety of hormones and neurotransmitters. Inhibition of the cotransporter either by bumetanide, ethacrynic acid, or inhibitory hormones reduces TM intracellular volume, whereas stimulatory hormones increase cell volume. In addition, shrinkage of the cells by hypertonic media stimulates cotransport activity and initiates a subsequent regulatory volume increase. Permeability of TM cell monolayers, assessed as transmonolayer flux of [14C]sucrose, is increased by hypertonicity-induced cell shrinkage and by bumetanide. These findings suggest that Na-K-Cl cotransport of TM cells is of central importance to regulation of intracellular volume and TM permeability. Defects of Na-K-Cl cotransport may underlie the pathophysiology of glaucoma.


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