Memeli Testisinde Kan-Testis Bariyeri’nin Bileşenleri ve Üreme ile İlişkileri

Abstract

Memelilerde vücudun bazı özel bölümlerindeki molleküllerin kan ve dokular arasındaki hareketi “kan-doku bariyeri” adı verilen yapılar tarafından kontrol edilir. Bu bariyerlerin başlıcaları kan-beyin, -plasenta, -retina, -timus, -testis ve - epididimis bariyerleridir. Kan-testis bariyeri (BTB) ve kan-epididimis bariyeri (BEB) erkek üreme sistemindeki iki önemli hücresel bariyerdir. Seminifer epitelde yerleşen ve komşu Sertoli hücreleri arasında bulunan BTB, tight junction, gap junction (geçit bağlantıları), desmozom (macula adherens) ve adherens junction (bazal ektoplazmik özelleşme-testise özgü bir yapışma bağlantısı) tipi bağlantılar tarafından oluşturulur. Bu bariyer gelişmekte olan germ hücrelerini, özellikle postmayotik spermatidleri, kan ve lenf yoluyla buraya taşınan zararlı ajanlardan (ilaçlar, toksik kimyasallar ve mutajen- ler gibi) koruyan ve farklılaşmış germ hücrelerine karşı oluşabilecek otoimmun tepkileri önleyen biyokimyasal ve immünolojik bir mikro çevre oluşturur. BTB seminifer tübül epitelini bazal ve adluminal bölmelere ayırarak hücre polaritesi sağlar ve tübül lümenindeki sıvının kimyasal bileşiminin korunmasına yardımcı olur. BTB spermatogenez sırasında yeniden yapılanmaya uğrar, ancak bütünlüğü bozulmaz. Böylece germ hücreleri bu benzersiz yapı sayesinde seminifer epitel boyunca taşınır. Bariyeri oluşturan bileşenlerden herhangi birinde bozulma olması durumunda germ hücreleri gelişimlerini tamamlayamaz ve erkeklerde infertilite şekillenir. Ayrıca, gelişmemiş germ hücreleri sekonder oositi dölle- yemediğinden dişi fertilitesi de dolaylı olarak bu durumdan etkilenebilir. Özetle bu bariyer germ hücrelerinin hayatta kalması ve normal spermatogenezin devamlılığı için kritik bir öneme sahiptir. Bu derlemenin amacı, memelilerde erkek infertilitesinde önemli rol oynayan kan-testis bariyerini oluşturan bağlantı komplekslerinin moleküler bileşenleri hakkında bilgi vermektir.

Keywords

• Kan-testis bariyeri
• sıkı bağlantılar
• testis
• tutundurucu bağlantılar

Components of the Blood-Testis Barrier in the Mammalian Testis and Their Relationship with Fertility

Abstract

In some special parts of the mammalian body, the movement of molecules between blood and tissues is controlled by structures called “blood-tissue barriers.” These barriers are mainly the blood-brain, -placenta, -retina, - thymus, -testis, and -epididymis barriers. The blood-testis barrier (BTB) and the blood-epididymis barrier (BEB) are the two important cellular barriers in the male reproductive system. BTB is localized between adjacent Sertoli cells in the seminiferous epithelium of the testis and is formed by tight junctions, GAP junctions, desmosomes (macula adherens), and adherens junctions (ectoplasmic specialization-a testis-specific adhesion junction). The BTB creates a biochemical and immunological microenvironment that protects developing germ cells, especially post-meiotic spermatids, from harmful agents (such as drugs, toxic chemicals, and mutagens) carried there by blood and lymph and that prevents autoimmune responses against differentiated germ cells. The BTB divides the seminiferous tubule epithelium into basal and adluminal compartments, ensuring cell polarity and helping to maintain the chemical composition of the fluid in the tubule lumen. BTB undergoes remodeling during spermatogenesis, but its integrity remains intact. Thus, thanks to this unique structure, the germ cells are transported across the seminiferous epithelium. Any disruption in the components that make up the barrier can adversely affect Sertoli-germ cell interactions, preventing germ cells from completing their development and leading to male infertility. In addition, female fertility may be indirectly affected as immature germ cells cannot fertilize the secondary oocyte. In summary, this barrier is critical for germ cell survival and maintenance of normal spermatogenesis. This review aims to provide information about the molecular components of the junction complexes that form the blood-testis barrier, which plays an important role in male infertility in mammals.

Keywords

• Adherens junction
• blood-testis barrier
• testis
• tight junction

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