Production of Macrophage Inhibitory Factor (MIF) by Primary Sertoli Cells; Its Possible Involvement in Migration of Spermatogonial Cells

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a multifunctional molecule. MIF was originally identified as a T-cell-derived factor responsible for the inhibition of macrophage migration. In testicular tissue of adult rats, MIF is constitutively expressed by Leydig cells under physiological conditions. The aim of this study was to examine MIF levels in testicular homogenates from different aged mice, and the capacity of Sertoli cells to produce it. We also examined MIF involvement in spermatogonial cell migration. Similar levels of MIF protein were detected in testicular homogenates of mice of different ages (1-8-week-old). However, the RNA expression levels of MIF were high in 1-week-old mice and significantly decreased with age compared to 1-week-old mice. MIF was stained in Sertoli, Leydig cells, and developed germ cells in the seminiferous tubules. Isolated Sertoli cells from 1-week-old mice stained to MIF. Cultures of Sertoli cells from 1-week-old mice produced and expressed high levels of MIF which significantly decreased with age. MIF was localized in the cytoplasm and nucleus of Sertoli cell cultures isolated from 1-week-old mice; however, it was localized only in the cytoplasm and branches of cultures isolated from 8-week-old mice. MIFR was detected in GFRα1 and Sertoli cells. MIF could induce migration of spermatogonial cells, and this effect was synergistic with glial cell-line neurotrophic factor. Our results show, for the first time, the capacity of Sertoli cells to produce MIF under normal conditions and that MIFR expressed in GFRα1 and Sertoli cells. We also showed that MIF induced spermatogonial cell migration. J. Cell. Physiol. 232: 2869-2877, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Detrusor resistive index evaluated by doppler ultrasonography as a potential indicator of bladder outlet obstruction

OBJECTIVES

To appraise detrusor blood flow by Doppler ultrasonography in men with suspected bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) to determine whether this imaging technique provides useful information for the assessment of BOO. Experimental studies have shown that BOO is associated with reduced blood flow to the detrusor.

METHODS

Twenty-nine consecutive men with lower urinary tract symptoms were prospectively enrolled. A urodynamic pressure-flow study was performed by the urologist to determine BOO, and Doppler ultrasonography was subsequently performed by the radiologist. The physicians were unaware of the other's results. Scanning was performed on a filled and empty bladder. Arterial blood flow was measured at three distinct sites, the two lateral walls and the trigone, and the resistive index (RI) of each site was calculated (RI = (V(MAX) - V(MIN))/V(MAX)). For each patient, the arithmetic average of the three RIs was defined as the detrusor RI. The findings were compared between patients with and without evidence of BOO. A logistic regression model tested the predictive value of the RI.

RESULTS

According to the pressure-flow study results, 22 (75%) and 7 (25%) of the 29 patients were diagnosed as having or not having BOO, respectively. A statistically significant difference was found between the detrusor RI in the obstructed versus nonobstructed patients in both full (P <0.001) and empty (P <0.03) bladder states (0.79 versus 0.68 and 0.74 versus 0.66, respectively). Our logistic regression model predicted BOO with an overall accuracy of 86%, positive predictive value of 95%, and negative predictive value of 57%.

CONCLUSIONS

The RI of arterial blood flow in the detrusor measured by Doppler ultrasonography provides important predictive information for the presence of BOO. Additional studies are warranted to validate our results and explore the role of Doppler ultrasonography in the management paradigms of patients with suspected BOO.

Adrenoleukodystrophy in Israel: a genetic, clinical and biochemical study

Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) is a fatal X-linked recessive lipid storage disease characterized by progressive CNS demyelination and adrenal insufficiency. Adrenomyeloneuropathy (AMN) is a variant of ALD, with a later onset and more prolonged course, presenting as a peripheral myeloneuropathy. A wide spectrum of clinical manifestations exists in both forms of the ALD complex. Affected infants are clinically normal at birth and in early infancy. Progressive cerebral dysfunction and adrenal failure appear usually between 5 and 10 years of age. Brain white matter macrophages, adrenal cortical cells and other tissues contain characteristic cytoplasmic inclusions. The specific biochemical abnormality in the ALD complex is an accumulation of very long-chain fatty acids (VLCFA) in different tissues and plasma, mainly tetracosanoic (C24:0) and hexacosanoic (C26:0) acids. Metabolic studies have been consistent with an oxidative defect of VLCFA. Clinical, genetic and biochemical data are presented on the first six families with documented ALD in Israel. There appears to be no ethnic predilection. ALD and AMN are found concomitantly, and all clinical forms are present.