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Murine Sertoli cells promote the development of tolerogenic dendritic cells: a pivotal role of galectin‐1
Author(s) -
Gao Jianxin,
Wang Xujie,
Wang Yunchuan,
Han Fu,
Cai Weixia,
Zhao Bin,
Li Yan,
Han Shichao,
Wu Xue,
Hu Dahai
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.297
H-Index - 133
eISSN - 1365-2567
pISSN - 0019-2805
DOI - 10.1111/imm.12598
Subject(s) - sertoli cell , galectin , microbiology and biotechnology , galectin 1 , biology , immunology , endocrinology , spermatogenesis
Summary Sertoli cells ( SC s) possess inherent immunosuppressive properties and are major contributors to the immunoprivileged status of mammalian testis. SC s have been reported to inhibit the activation of B cells, T cells and natural killer cells but not dendritic cells ( DC s). Herein, we present evidence that co‐culture with SC s results in a persistent state of DC immaturity characterized by down‐regulation of the surface molecules I‐A/E, CD 80, CD 83, CD 86, CCR 7 and CD 11c, as well as reduced production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines. SC ‐conditioned DC s ( SC ‐ DC s) displayed low immunogenicity and enhanced immunoregulatory functions, including the inhibition of T‐cell proliferation and the promotion of Foxp3 + regulatory T‐cell development. Mechanistically, the activation of p38, extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 was suppressed in SC ‐ DC s. More importantly, we demonstrate that galectin‐1 secreted by SC s plays a pivotal role in the differentiation of functionally tolerogenic SC ‐ DC s. These findings further support the role of SC s in maintaining the immunoprivileged environment of the testis and provide a novel approach to derive tolerogenic DC s, which may lead to alternative therapeutic strategies for the treatment of immunopathogenic diseases.