Exploring the role of mononuclear phagocytes in the epididymis
The onslaught of foreign antigens carried by spermatozoa into the epididymis, an organ that has not demonstrated immune privilege, a decade or more after the establishment of central immune tolerance presents a unique biological challenge. Historically, the physical confinement of spermatozoa to the...
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doaj-e1756b64744144ef82cdd8b21e2c7fe92020-11-24T23:48:18ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsAsian Journal of Andrology1008-682X1745-72622015-01-0117459159610.4103/1008-682X.153540Exploring the role of mononuclear phagocytes in the epididymisNicolas Da SilvaTegan B SmithThe onslaught of foreign antigens carried by spermatozoa into the epididymis, an organ that has not demonstrated immune privilege, a decade or more after the establishment of central immune tolerance presents a unique biological challenge. Historically, the physical confinement of spermatozoa to the epididymal tubule enforced by a tightly interwoven wall of epithelial cells was considered sufficient enough to prevent cross talk between gametes and the immune system and, ultimately, autoimmune destruction. The discovery of an intricate arrangement of mononuclear phagocytes (MPs) comprising dendritic cells and macrophages in the murine epididymis suggests that we may have underestimated the existence of a sophisticated mucosal immune system in the posttesticular environment. This review consolidates our current knowledge of the physiology of MPs in the steady state epididymis and speculates on possible interactions between auto-antigenic spermatozoa, pathogens and the immune system by drawing on what is known about the immune system in the intestinal mucosa. Ultimately, further investigation will provide valuable information regarding the origins of pathologies arising as a result of autoimmune or inflammatory responses in the epididymis, including epididymitis and infertility.http://www.ajandrology.com/article.asp?issn=1008-682X;year=2015;volume=17;issue=4;spage=591;epage=596;aulast=Dagene regulationMusashiMusashi-1Musashi-2posttranscriptional controlRNA binding proteinsspermatogenesissplicingtestistranslationcell fatecell stressimportinkaryopherinnucleocytoplasmic transportspermatidspermatocytespermatogenesisartificial inseminationbiomarkerfertilityfertilizationflow cytometryinfertilitynanotechnologyoocyte activationPostacrosomal Sheath WWI Domain Binding ProteinspermSPTRX3thioredoxinubiquitinATP binding cassette transportersalbuminhigh-density lipoproteinlipid raftsmembrane fluiditymembrane microdomainsmembrane packingoxysterolsreverse cholesterol transportsterol transporterseggfertilizationheat shock protein A2molecular chaperonespermsperm-egg interactionsdehydrogenasesoxidasesperoxiredoxinsreactive oxygen speciesspermatozoathiolsthioredoxinsantigen-presenting cellsautoimmunitydendritic cellsepididymismacrophagesperipheral tolerancesperm maturationspermatozoa |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Nicolas Da Silva Tegan B Smith |
spellingShingle |
Nicolas Da Silva Tegan B Smith Exploring the role of mononuclear phagocytes in the epididymis Asian Journal of Andrology gene regulation Musashi Musashi-1 Musashi-2 posttranscriptional control RNA binding proteins spermatogenesis splicing testis translation cell fate cell stress importin karyopherin nucleocytoplasmic transport spermatid spermatocyte spermatogenesis artificial insemination biomarker fertility fertilization flow cytometry infertility nanotechnology oocyte activation Postacrosomal Sheath WWI Domain Binding Protein sperm SPTRX3 thioredoxin ubiquitin ATP binding cassette transporters albumin high-density lipoprotein lipid rafts membrane fluidity membrane microdomains membrane packing oxysterols reverse cholesterol transport sterol transporters egg fertilization heat shock protein A2 molecular chaperone sperm sperm-egg interactions dehydrogenases oxidases peroxiredoxins reactive oxygen species spermatozoa thiols thioredoxins antigen-presenting cells autoimmunity dendritic cells epididymis macrophages peripheral tolerance sperm maturation spermatozoa |
author_facet |
Nicolas Da Silva Tegan B Smith |
author_sort |
Nicolas Da Silva |
title |
Exploring the role of mononuclear phagocytes in the epididymis |
title_short |
Exploring the role of mononuclear phagocytes in the epididymis |
title_full |
Exploring the role of mononuclear phagocytes in the epididymis |
title_fullStr |
Exploring the role of mononuclear phagocytes in the epididymis |
title_full_unstemmed |
Exploring the role of mononuclear phagocytes in the epididymis |
title_sort |
exploring the role of mononuclear phagocytes in the epididymis |
publisher |
Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications |
series |
Asian Journal of Andrology |
issn |
1008-682X 1745-7262 |
publishDate |
2015-01-01 |
description |
The onslaught of foreign antigens carried by spermatozoa into the epididymis, an organ that has not demonstrated immune privilege, a decade or more after the establishment of central immune tolerance presents a unique biological challenge. Historically, the physical confinement of spermatozoa to the epididymal tubule enforced by a tightly interwoven wall of epithelial cells was considered sufficient enough to prevent cross talk between gametes and the immune system and, ultimately, autoimmune destruction. The discovery of an intricate arrangement of mononuclear phagocytes (MPs) comprising dendritic cells and macrophages in the murine epididymis suggests that we may have underestimated the existence of a sophisticated mucosal immune system in the posttesticular environment. This review consolidates our current knowledge of the physiology of MPs in the steady state epididymis and speculates on possible interactions between auto-antigenic spermatozoa, pathogens and the immune system by drawing on what is known about the immune system in the intestinal mucosa. Ultimately, further investigation will provide valuable information regarding the origins of pathologies arising as a result of autoimmune or inflammatory responses in the epididymis, including epididymitis and infertility. |
topic |
gene regulation Musashi Musashi-1 Musashi-2 posttranscriptional control RNA binding proteins spermatogenesis splicing testis translation cell fate cell stress importin karyopherin nucleocytoplasmic transport spermatid spermatocyte spermatogenesis artificial insemination biomarker fertility fertilization flow cytometry infertility nanotechnology oocyte activation Postacrosomal Sheath WWI Domain Binding Protein sperm SPTRX3 thioredoxin ubiquitin ATP binding cassette transporters albumin high-density lipoprotein lipid rafts membrane fluidity membrane microdomains membrane packing oxysterols reverse cholesterol transport sterol transporters egg fertilization heat shock protein A2 molecular chaperone sperm sperm-egg interactions dehydrogenases oxidases peroxiredoxins reactive oxygen species spermatozoa thiols thioredoxins antigen-presenting cells autoimmunity dendritic cells epididymis macrophages peripheral tolerance sperm maturation spermatozoa |
url |
http://www.ajandrology.com/article.asp?issn=1008-682X;year=2015;volume=17;issue=4;spage=591;epage=596;aulast=Da |
work_keys_str_mv |
AT nicolasdasilva exploringtheroleofmononuclearphagocytesintheepididymis AT teganbsmith exploringtheroleofmononuclearphagocytesintheepididymis |
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