Testicular immunity.

Autor: Li SY; Reproductive Sciences Center, Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA., Kumar S; Reproductive Sciences Center, Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA., Gu X; Reproductive Sciences Center, Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA., DeFalco T; Reproductive Sciences Center, Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA. Electronic address: tony.defalco@cchmc.org.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Molecular aspects of medicine [Mol Aspects Med] 2024 Dec; Vol. 100, pp. 101323. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Nov 25.
DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2024.101323
Abstrakt: The testis is a unique environment where immune responses are suppressed to allow the development of sperm that possess autoimmunogenic antigens. There are several contributors responsible for testicular immune privilege, including the blood-testis barrier, testicular immune cells, immunomodulation by Sertoli cells, and high levels of steroid hormones. Despite multiple mechanisms in place to regulate the testicular immune environment, pathogens that disrupt testicular immunity can lead to long-term effects such as infertility. If testicular immunity is disturbed, autoimmune reactions can also occur, leading to aberrant immune cell infiltration and subsequent attack of autoimmunogenic germ cells. Here we discuss cellular and molecular factors underlying testicular immunity and how testicular infection or autoimmunity compromise immune privilege. We also describe infections and autoimmune diseases that impact the testis. Further research into testicular immunity will reveal how male fertility is maintained and will help update therapeutic strategies for infertility and other testicular disorders.
(Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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