Sertoli cell
Encyclopedia
A Sertoli cell is a 'nurse' cell
of the testes
that is part of a seminiferous tubule.
It is activated by follicle-stimulating hormone
and has FSH-receptor
on its membranes.
, the Sertoli cell has also been called the "mother" or "nurse" cell. Sertoli cells also act as phagocytes, consuming the residual cytoplasm during spermatogenesis. Translocation of germ cells from the base to the lumen of the seminiferous tubules occurs by conformational changes in the lateral margins of the sertoli cells.
, a structure that partitions the interstitial blood
compartment of the testis from the adluminal compartment of the seminiferous tubules. Because of the apical
progression of the spermatogonia, the tight junctions must be dynamically reformed and broken to allow the immunoidentical spermatogonia to cross through the blood-testis barrier so they can become immunologically unique. Sertoli cells control the entry and exit of nutrient
s, hormone
s and other chemicals into the tubules of the testis as well as make the adluminal compartment an immune-privileged site.
The cell is also responsible for establishing and maintaining the spermatogonial stem cell
niche, which ensures the renewal of stem cells and the differentiation of spermatogonia
into mature germ cells that progress stepwise through the long process of spermatogenesis, ending in the release of spermatozoa
. Sertoli cells bind to spermatogonial cells via N-cadherins and galctosyltransferase (via carbohydrate residues).
Recently however, some scientists have found a way to grow these cells outside of the body. This gives rise to the possibility of repairing some defects that cause male infertility.
It has been suggested that they may derive from mesonephros
.
Enrico Sertoli
, an Italian physiologist who discovered them while studying medicine in the University of Pavia, Italy.
He published a description of this cell in 1865. The cell was discovered by Sertoli with a Belthle microscope purchased in 1862, which he used while studying medicine.
In the 1865 publication, his first description used the terms "tree-like cell" or "stringy cell" and most importantly he referred to these "mother cells." It was other scientists who used Enrico's family name, Sertoli, to label these cell in publications, starting in 1888. As of 2006, two textbooks that are devoted specifically to the Sertoli cell have been published.
.
are part of the sex cord-stromal tumour
group of ovarian neoplasm
s.
Cell (biology)
The cell is the basic structural and functional unit of all known living organisms. It is the smallest unit of life that is classified as a living thing, and is often called the building block of life. The Alberts text discusses how the "cellular building blocks" move to shape developing embryos....
of the testes
Testicle
The testicle is the male gonad in animals. Like the ovaries to which they are homologous, testes are components of both the reproductive system and the endocrine system...
that is part of a seminiferous tubule.
It is activated by follicle-stimulating hormone
Follicle-stimulating hormone
Follicle-stimulating hormone is a hormone found in humans and other animals. It is synthesized and secreted by gonadotrophs of the anterior pituitary gland. FSH regulates the development, growth, pubertal maturation, and reproductive processes of the body. FSH and Luteinizing hormone act...
and has FSH-receptor
FSH-receptor
The follicle-stimulating hormone receptor or FSH-receptor is a transmembrane receptor that interacts with the follicle-stimulating hormone and represents a G protein-coupled receptor . Its activation is necessary for the hormonal functioning of FSH...
on its membranes.
Functions
Because its main function is to nurture the developing sperm cells through the stages of spermatogenesisSpermatogenesis
Spermatogenesis is the process by which male primary germ cells undergo division, and produce a number of cells termed spermatogonia, from which the primary spermatocytes are derived. Each primary spermatocyte divides into two secondary spermatocytes, and each secondary spermatocyte into two...
, the Sertoli cell has also been called the "mother" or "nurse" cell. Sertoli cells also act as phagocytes, consuming the residual cytoplasm during spermatogenesis. Translocation of germ cells from the base to the lumen of the seminiferous tubules occurs by conformational changes in the lateral margins of the sertoli cells.
Secretory
Sertoli cells secrete the following substances:- anti-Müllerian hormoneAnti-müllerian hormoneAnti-Müllerian hormone also known as AMH is a protein that, in humans, is encoded by the AMH gene. It inhibits the development of the Müllerian ducts in the male embryo. It has also been called Müllerian inhibiting factor , Müllerian-inhibiting hormone , and Müllerian-inhibiting substance...
(AMH) - secreted during the early stages of fetalFetusA fetus is a developing mammal or other viviparous vertebrate after the embryonic stage and before birth.In humans, the fetal stage of prenatal development starts at the beginning of the 11th week in gestational age, which is the 9th week after fertilization.-Etymology and spelling variations:The...
life.
- inhibin and activins - secreted after puberty, and work together to regulate FSHFollicle-stimulating hormoneFollicle-stimulating hormone is a hormone found in humans and other animals. It is synthesized and secreted by gonadotrophs of the anterior pituitary gland. FSH regulates the development, growth, pubertal maturation, and reproductive processes of the body. FSH and Luteinizing hormone act...
secretion
- androgen binding proteinAndrogen binding proteinAndrogen-binding protein is a glycoprotein produced by the Sertoli cells in the seminiferous tubules of the testis that binds specifically to testosterone , dihydrotestosterone , and 17-beta-estradiol....
- (also called testosterone binding globulin) increases testosterone concentration in the seminiferous tubules to stimulate spermiogenesis
- estradiolEstradiolEstradiol is a sex hormone. Estradiol is abbreviated E2 as it has 2 hydroxyl groups in its molecular structure. Estrone has 1 and estriol has 3 . Estradiol is about 10 times as potent as estrone and about 80 times as potent as estriol in its estrogenic effect...
- aromataseAromataseAromatase is an enzyme responsible for a key step in the biosynthesis of estrogens. It is a member of the cytochrome P450 superfamily , which are monooxygenases that catalyze many reactions involved in steroidogenesis. In particular, aromatase is responsible for the aromatization of androgens into...
from Sertoli cells convert testosteroneTestosteroneTestosterone is a steroid hormone from the androgen group and is found in mammals, reptiles, birds, and other vertebrates. In mammals, testosterone is primarily secreted in the testes of males and the ovaries of females, although small amounts are also secreted by the adrenal glands...
to 17 beta estradiol to direct spermatogenesisSpermatogenesisSpermatogenesis is the process by which male primary germ cells undergo division, and produce a number of cells termed spermatogonia, from which the primary spermatocytes are derived. Each primary spermatocyte divides into two secondary spermatocytes, and each secondary spermatocyte into two...
- glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factorGlial cell line-derived neurotrophic factorGlial cell-derived neurotrophic factor, also known as GDNF is a protein that, in humans, is encoded by the GDNF gene.GDNF is a small protein that potently promotes the survival of many types of neurons.-Function:...
(GDNF) - has been demonstrated to function in promoting undifferentiating spermatogonia, which ensures stem cell self-renewal during the perinatal period.
- the Ets related molecule (ERM transcription factorERM transcription factorERM transcription factor is a transcription factor generated in Sertoli cells, which are found in the testes and play a crucial role in spermatogenesis....
) - needed for maintenance of the spermatogonial stem cell in the adult testis.
- transferrinTransferrinTransferrins are iron-binding blood plasma glycoproteins that control the level of free iron in biological fluids. In humans, it is encoded by the TF gene.Transferrin is a glycoprotein that binds iron very tightly but reversibly...
is a blood plasma protein for iron ion delivery
Structural
The tight junctions of Sertoli cells form the blood-testis barrierBlood-testis barrier
The blood–testis barrier is a physical barrier between the blood vessels and the seminiferous tubules of the animal testes...
, a structure that partitions the interstitial blood
Blood
Blood is a specialized bodily fluid in animals that delivers necessary substances such as nutrients and oxygen to the cells and transports metabolic waste products away from those same cells....
compartment of the testis from the adluminal compartment of the seminiferous tubules. Because of the apical
Apical
Apical, from the Latin apex meaning to be at the apex or tip, may refer to:*Apical , an anatomical term of location for features associated with the base of an organism or structure...
progression of the spermatogonia, the tight junctions must be dynamically reformed and broken to allow the immunoidentical spermatogonia to cross through the blood-testis barrier so they can become immunologically unique. Sertoli cells control the entry and exit of nutrient
Nutrient
A nutrient is a chemical that an organism needs to live and grow or a substance used in an organism's metabolism which must be taken in from its environment. They are used to build and repair tissues, regulate body processes and are converted to and used as energy...
s, hormone
Hormone
A hormone is a chemical released by a cell or a gland in one part of the body that sends out messages that affect cells in other parts of the organism. Only a small amount of hormone is required to alter cell metabolism. In essence, it is a chemical messenger that transports a signal from one...
s and other chemicals into the tubules of the testis as well as make the adluminal compartment an immune-privileged site.
The cell is also responsible for establishing and maintaining the spermatogonial stem cell
Stem cell
This article is about the cell type. For the medical therapy, see Stem Cell TreatmentsStem cells are biological cells found in all multicellular organisms, that can divide and differentiate into diverse specialized cell types and can self-renew to produce more stem cells...
niche, which ensures the renewal of stem cells and the differentiation of spermatogonia
Spermatogonium
A spermatogonium is an intermediary male gametogonium in the production of spermatozoa.There are three subtypes:...
into mature germ cells that progress stepwise through the long process of spermatogenesis, ending in the release of spermatozoa
Spermatozoon
A spermatozoon is a motile sperm cell, or moving form of the haploid cell that is the male gamete. A spermatozoon joins an ovum to form a zygote...
. Sertoli cells bind to spermatogonial cells via N-cadherins and galctosyltransferase (via carbohydrate residues).
Other functions
During the Maturation phase of spermiogenesis, the Sertoli cells consume the unneeded portions of the spermatozoa.Production of Sertoli cells
Once fully differentiated, the Sertoli cell is unable to proliferate. Therefore, once spermatogenesis has begun, no more Sertoli cells are created.Recently however, some scientists have found a way to grow these cells outside of the body. This gives rise to the possibility of repairing some defects that cause male infertility.
It has been suggested that they may derive from mesonephros
Mesonephros
The mesonephros is one of three excretory organs that develop in vertebrates. It serves as the main excretory organ of aquatic vertebrates and as a temporary kidney in reptiles, birds, and mammals. The mesonephros is included in the Wolffian body after Caspar Friedrich Wolff who described it in 1759...
.
Nomenclature
Sertoli cells are called so because of their eponymEponym
An eponym is the name of a person or thing, whether real or fictitious, after which a particular place, tribe, era, discovery, or other item is named or thought to be named...
Enrico Sertoli
Enrico Sertoli
Enrico Sertoli was an Italian physiologist and histologist who was a native of Sondrio. He studied medicine at the University of Pavia, where one of his instructors was physiologist Eusebio Oehl . He continued his studies of physiology in Vienna under Ernst Wilhelm von Brücke , and in Tübingen...
, an Italian physiologist who discovered them while studying medicine in the University of Pavia, Italy.
He published a description of this cell in 1865. The cell was discovered by Sertoli with a Belthle microscope purchased in 1862, which he used while studying medicine.
In the 1865 publication, his first description used the terms "tree-like cell" or "stringy cell" and most importantly he referred to these "mother cells." It was other scientists who used Enrico's family name, Sertoli, to label these cell in publications, starting in 1888. As of 2006, two textbooks that are devoted specifically to the Sertoli cell have been published.
Histology
On slides, using standard staining, it can be easy to confuse the Sertoli cells with the other cells of the germinal epithelium. The most distinctive feature of the Sertoli cells is the dark nucleolusNucleolus
The nucleolus is a non-membrane bound structure composed of proteins and nucleic acids found within the nucleus. Ribosomal RNA is transcribed and assembled within the nucleolus...
.
Pathology
Sertoli-Leydig cell tumourSertoli-Leydig cell tumour
Sertoli-Leydig cell tumour is a group of tumours composed of variable proportions of Sertoli cells, Leydig cells, and in the case of intermediate and poorly differentiated neoplasms, primitive gonadal stroma and sometimes heterologous elements....
are part of the sex cord-stromal tumour
Sex cord-stromal tumour
Sex cord-gonadal stromal tumour is a group of tumours of sex cord-derived tissues of the ovary and testis. In humans, this group accounts for 8% of ovarian cancers and under 5% of testicular cancers. Their diagnosis is histological: only a biopsy of the tumour can make an exact diagnosis...
group of ovarian neoplasm
Ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer is a cancerous growth arising from the ovary. Symptoms are frequently very subtle early on and may include: bloating, pelvic pain, difficulty eating and frequent urination, and are easily confused with other illnesses....
s.