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Biomedical subjects

K Seidl

Publications and source records attributed to K Seidl.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in rodent testis. Presence of bFGF mRNA and of a 30 kDa bFGF protein in pachytene spermatocytes.

We have previously described a 30 kDa basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-like protein in rodent testicular homogenates and have shown that pachytene spermatocytes are the sites of predominant immunoreactivity for this bFGF-like protein (Mayerhofer, A., Russell, L.D., Grothe, C., Rudolf, M. and Gratzl, M. (1991) Endocrinology 129, 921-924). We have now addressed the question whether this 30 kDa bFGF-like protein is a large bFGF form and whether it is produced by pachytene spermatocytes. We detected bFGF mRNA in homogenates of isolated mouse spermatocytes (which consisted mainly of pachytene spermatocytes) using S1 nuclease protection assays. As shown by Western blot analyses, the bFGF mRNA in mouse spermatocytes is translated into bFGF of an approximate molecular weight of 30 kDa. Neither bFGF mRNA, nor bFGF itself, was observed in isolated mouse Leydig cells. These results indicate that the immunoreactive bFGF-like protein observed previously in germ cells of the murine testis is identical to bFGF. Thus, germ cells of the testis produce bFGF, which may exert regulatory function in the process of spermatogenesis.

Animals

Treatment of traumatic tattoos with various sterile brushes.

BACKGROUND: Various types of brushes are efficient for the removal of foreign material accidentally projected into the skin by explosive or abrasive trauma. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate how different times between injury and treatment influenced esthetic results, we retrospectively evaluated 14 patients subjected to the brushing technique. METHODS: Two groups were identified. Group I had been treated within 24 hours of injury. In group II debridement had been performed later. RESULTS: Cosmetic results were strikingly better in group I. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that debridement of traumatic tattoos should be carried out as soon as possible to achieve favorable cosmetic results.

Adult

Leydig cells express neural cell adhesion molecules in vivo and in vitro.

The neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) polypeptides are expressed by numerous tissues during embryonic development, where they are involved in cell-cell interactions. In the adult, NCAM expression is confined to a few cell types, including neurons and peptide-hormone-producing cells. Here we demonstrate that the Leydig cells of the adult rat, mouse, and hamster testes express NCAM as well. Western blotting showed that an NCAM of approximately 120 kDa was present in the adult testes of all three species investigated. This form was also found in freshly isolated mouse Leydig cells and in Leydig cells after 2 days in culture. After 4 days in culture, mouse Leydig cells expressed additional NCAM isoforms of approximately 140 and 180 kDa, indicating changes in alternative splicing of NCAM primary transcripts. Also, NCAM mRNA of all isoforms, as detected by S1-nuclease protection assays, increased with time in culture. The expression of the cell adhesion molecule NCAM by adult Leydig cells may explain the aggregation of Leydig cells in clusters in rodent testes, which could be a prerequisite for functional coordination of groups of Leydig cells. Furthermore, the presence of this neural and endocrine marker may indicate a closer relationship between Leydig cells and neural and peptide-hormone-producing cells than is considered to exist at the present time.

Animals

[Initial presentation of ventricular pre-excitation after catheter ablation of concealed retrograde conducting accessory atrioventricular pathways].

Catheter ablation using radiofrequency or direct current energy was performed in 19 consecutive patients with concealed accessory pathways. Four patients developed manifest preexcitation for the first time following ablation. The concealed accessory pathways of these four patients were localized at right lateral, left posteroseptal, left posterolateral, and left lateral sites, respectively. In two patients, manifest preexcitation developed immediately after attempted ablation. In the other two patients, preexcitation occurred after 4 and 14 days. Electrophysiologic testing revealed in all four patients that the origin of manifest preexcitation corresponded to the site of the concealed pathway. Successful catheter ablation using radiofrequency current was performed in three patients. One patient preferred surgical interruption of the accessory pathway. The reason for this sudden emergence of preexcitation of these patients with only retrograde conducting pathways remains to be investigated. The anterograde conduction capacity might have been modified by damaging the site of the accessory pathway insertion.

Adult

Carcinoma-in-situ cells in cultured human seminiferous tubules.

For the first time, early germ-cell derived tumour cells were studied in an in-vitro system of cultured seminiferous tubules. The intratubular tumour cells not only survived in culture for 7 days but were also able to multiply. Dividing tumour cells were identified in semi-thin sections and electron micrographs by morphological criteria. Additionally, mitotic activity was demonstrated by [3H]thymidine histo-autoradiography. There are numerous reports on cell lines established from solid non-seminomas, but up to now no references to seminoma cell lines or cultures of intratubular tumour cells are available. The culture of seminiferous tubules offers a tool in making carcinoma-in-situ cells accessible for experimental work.

Autoradiography

Cellular architecture of the lamina propria of human seminiferous tubules.

The lamina propria of human seminiferous tubules is composed of 5 to 7 cellular layers separated by laminae of extracellular connective-tissue components. By means of immunocytochemical methods the different nature of the cellular layers could be defined for the first time. Based on the light-microscopic demonstration of both desmin-like and vimentin-like immuno-reactivity in the inner 3 to 4 layers of the lamina propria, these cells can be identified as myofibroblasts. The outermost one or two cellular layers, on the contrary, only show a vimentin-like immunoreactivity indicating the pure fibroblastic nature of these cells. Therefore, the outermost cellular layers are suggested to be derivatives of the interstitium. In cases of disturbed spermatogenesis, the lamina propria is frequently considerably thickened by an increase in the extracellular matrix components between the cellular layers. Whereas the ultrastructural localization of laminin-, collagen type-IV- and fibronectin-like immunoreactivity remains unaffected in the thickened lamina propria, the desmin-like immunoreactive cells of the inner layers strongly decrease in number and staining intensity. Most probably, the myofibroblasts lose their myoid characteristics to participate in the secretion of increased amounts of extracellular matrix components, which in turn presumably block the mediation of the lamina propria between the interstitium and the germinal epithelium. It is still unclear whether the thickened lamina propria provokes the disturbance of spermatogenesis or vice versa.

Aged

Organ culture of human seminiferous tubules: a useful tool to study the role of nerve growth factor in the testis.

Seminiferous tubules from human testes were mechanically isolated, the cut edges were sealed, and the tubules were cultured in medium free of fetal calf serum (FCS). Degeneration of germ cells occurred during the culture period and was paralleled by a disruption of the seminiferous epithelium, a disturbance in morphology and function of Sertoli cells, and a thickening of the lamina propria. However, when tubules were cultured for 5 days in the presence of FCS, degeneration of the spermatogenic tissue was reduced. FCS increased the mitotic activity of germ cells, but did not maintain normal morphology and function of Sertoli cells and cellular elements of the lamina propria. The thickening of the tubular wall concurred with a change in phenotype of lamina-propria cells from myoid to fibroblastic. Addition of nerve growth factor (NGF) to the culture medium (i) maintained the myoid phenotype of lamina-propria cells, (ii) prevented thickening of the tubular wall, and (iii) stabilized Sertoli cell morphology and function. The effects of NGF appeared to depend on the trophic effects of FCS, since NGF alone had no influence on the maintenance of a regular morphology of the spermatogenic epithelium. The present results indicate a decisive role for NGF in stabilizing specific functions of seminiferous tubules.

Aged

Evidence for the presence of nerve growth factor (NGF) and NGF receptors in human testis.

Nerve growth factor (NGF) affects morphology and function of isolated and cultured seminiferous tubules from human testis. Quantitative determination of this neurotrophic protein revealed an amount of 5.4 ng per g human testis, suggesting a crucial function of NGF in spermatogenic tissue. With the use of immunohistochemical methods target cells for NGF were identified within the lamina propria. NGF receptors were also visualized on sympathetic nerve fibers crossing the interstitial compartment among adjacent tubules and spatially correlated blood vessels. NGF receptors could be demonstrated on isolated lamina-propria cells even after 2 weeks of culture. Most of the NGF receptor-bearing cells differed from myoid cells of the lamina propria expressing desmin, a marker for smooth muscle. However, some NGF receptor-expressing cells were found sharing morphological and structural similarities with myoid cells. The present data indicate the existence of a NGF-responsive lamina-propria cell that influences the tubular wall and also the seminiferous epithelium.

Humans