Molecular mechanisms by which hormones and cytokines regulate cell junction dynamics in the testis

Abstract

Hormones and cytokines are known to regulate cellular functions in all tissues including testis. These two groups of biomolecules exert a broad spectrum of effects on various aspects of spermatogenesis. Among them, one of the regulatory effects on spermatogenesis is to modulate cell junction restructuring between Sertoli cells and between Sertoli and germ cells in the seminiferous epithelium. The restructuring of cell junctions is crucial to enable the migration of germ cells along the seminiferous epithelium from the basement membrane towards the tubular lumen, and at the same time for their attachment to Sertoli cells for support. This review will summarize the recent findings that focus on the role of hormones (FSH and testosterone) and cytokines (transforming growth factor-βs and tumor necrosis factor-α) on cell junction restructuring in the testis and the molecular mechanisms. © 2009 Society for Endocrinology.