Microenvironmental signals govern the cellular identity of testicular macrophages

Meinhardt, Andreas; Wang, Ming; Schulz, Christian und Bhushan, Sudhanshu (2018): Microenvironmental signals govern the cellular identity of testicular macrophages. In: Journal of Leukocyte Biology, Vol. 104, No. 4: pp. 757-766

Abstract

Testicular macrophages (TM) comprise the largest immune cell population in the mammalian testis. They are characterized by a subdued proinflammatory response upon adequate stimulation, and a polarization toward the immunoregulatory and immunotolerant M2 phenotype. This enables them to play a relevant role in supporting the archetypical functions of the testis, namely spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis. During infection, the characteristic blunted immune response of TM reflects the need for a delicate balance between a sufficiently strong reaction to counteract invading pathogens, and the prevention of excessive proinflammatory cytokine levels with the potential to disturb or destroy spermatogenesis. Local microenvironmental factors that determine the special phenotype of TM have just begun to be unraveled, and are discussed in this review.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Faculties: Medicine
• Subjects: 600 Technology > 610 Medicine and health
• ISSN: 0741-5400
• Language: English