Immune privileged Sertoli cells (SC) survive when transplanted across immunological barriers and prolong the survival of co-transplanted allogeneic and xenogeneic cells in rodent models. However, the mechanism for this survival and protection remains unresolved. We have recently identified a mouse Sertoli cell line (MSC-1) that lacks some of the immunoprotective abilities associated with primary SC. The objective of this study was to compare the survival and gene expression profiles of primary SC and MSC-1 cells to identify factors or immune-related pathways potentially important for SC immune privilege. Primary SC or MSC-1 cells were transplanted as allografts to the renal subcapsular area of nave BALB/c mice and cell survival was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Additionally, transcriptome differences were investigated by microarray and pathway analyses. While primary SC were detected within the grafts with 100% graft survival throughout the 20-day study, MSC-1 cells w ere rejected between 11 and 14 days with 0% graft survival at 20 days post-transplantation. Microarray analysis identified 3198 genes that were differentially expressed with a 4-fold or higher level in primary SC. Cluster and pathway analyses indicate that the mechanism of SC immune privilege is likely complex with multiple immune modulators being involved such as immunosuppressive cytokines and complement inhibitors, lipid mediators for controlling inflammation, and junctional molecules that control leukocyte movement in and out of the immune privileged space. Further study of these immune modulators will increase our understanding of SC immune privilege and in the long-term lead to improvements in transplantation success.
Immunoprotective properties of primary Sertoli cells in mice: potential functional pathways that confer immune privilege.
Specimen part, Cell line
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Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) silences genes responsible for neurodegeneration.
Age, Specimen part
View SamplesNormal brain function critically depends on the interaction between highly specialized neurons that operate within anatomically and functionally distinct brain regions. The fidelity of neuronal specification is contingent upon the robustness of the transcriptional program that supports the neuron type-specific patterns of gene expression. Changes in neuron type-specific gene expression are commonly associated with neurodegenerative disorders including Huntingtons and Alzheimers disease. The neuronal specification is driven by gene expression programs that are established during early stages of neuronal development and remain in place in the adult brain. Here we show that the Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), which supports neuron specification during early differentiation, contributes to the suppression of the transcription program that can be detrimental for the adult neuron function. We show that PRC2 deficiency in adult striatal neurons and in cerebellar Purkinje cells impairs the maintenance of neuron-type specific gene expression. The deficiency in PRC2 has a direct impact on a selected group of genes that is dominated by self-regulating transcription factors normally suppressed in these neurons. The age-dependent progressive transcriptional changes in PRC2-deficient neurons are associated with impaired neuronal function and survival and lead to the development of fatal neurodegenerative disorders in mice.
Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) silences genes responsible for neurodegeneration.
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