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Immunopathology of the Male Reproductive Tract

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Immunopathology in Toxicology and Drug Development

Part of the book series: Molecular and Integrative Toxicology ((MOLECUL))

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Abstract

This chapter reviews the immunophysiology and immunopathology of the male reproductive tract organs, and explains the strategies and operable mechanisms by which the male reproductive tract maintains immune privilege to protect germ cells. Immunologic mechanisms involving the testes and the excurrent duct system are similar because they both involve a consortium of physical and functional barriers to maintain immune privilege for the germ cells. In both, there are complex interactive relationships between the endocrine and the immune systems that provide for a strong innate, but a suppressed adaptive, immune response. In order to tease apart these complex interactions, the roles of each conventional immune cell (macrophages, dendritic cells, T cells, and NK cells) are first described, and their dual immune and endocrine functions are emphasized. The somatic Leydig cells and Sertoli cells also have dual immunologic and endocrinologic functions. The Sertoli cells and Leydig cells promote spermatogenesis on one hand, yet defend against immune activation and inflammation on the other. Understanding how the endocrine and immune systems interact will aid the pathologist in identifying or explaining the pathogenesis of histologic findings for either spontaneous or xenobiotic-related lesions.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Fas ligand (FasL or CD95L) is a type-II transmembrane protein that belongs to the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family. Its binding with its receptor induces apoptosis.

  2. 2.

    Activation of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) triggers rapid inflammatory cytokine production in various cell types. The exogenous product of growth-arrest-specific gene 6 (Gas6) and Protein S (ProS) inhibit the TLR-triggered inflammatory responses through the activation of Tyro3, Axl and Mer (TAM) receptors.

  3. 3.

    Foxp3 appears to function as a master regulator (transcription factor) in the development and function of regulatory T cells.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Charles River Laboratories, Inc., 4025 Stirrup Creek Drive, Durham, NC, 27703, USA

    Catherine A. Picut VMD, JD, DACVP, DABT

  2. Charles River Laboratories, Inc., ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands

    Eveline P. C. T. de Rijk PhD

  3. Molecular Pathogenesis, National Toxicology Program Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA

    Darlene Dixon DVM, PhD, DACVP

Authors
  1. Catherine A. Picut VMD, JD, DACVP, DABT
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  2. Eveline P. C. T. de Rijk PhD
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  3. Darlene Dixon DVM, PhD, DACVP
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Correspondence to Catherine A. Picut VMD, JD, DACVP, DABT .

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  1. Charles River Laboratories, Inc., Durham, North Carolina, USA

    George A. Parker

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Picut, C.A., de Rijk, E.P.C.T., Dixon, D. (2017). Immunopathology of the Male Reproductive Tract. In: Parker, G. (eds) Immunopathology in Toxicology and Drug Development. Molecular and Integrative Toxicology. Humana Press, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-47385-7_10

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