• PMID: 21235388
• Gene Name: IL1B
• Condition: Incomplete maturation arrest (IMA), Sertoli only syndrome (SOS)
• Association: IL-1? levels were higher in Leydig/interstitial cells of normal biopsies compared with Sertoli and germ cells. The levels of IL-1? were similar in testicular cells of all biopsies. However, the mRNA levels of IL-1? were significantly lower in SOS and IMA
• Sex: Male
• Infertility type: Male infertility
• Associated genes: IL-?, IL-1ra
• Other associated phenotypes: Incomplete maturation arrest (IMA), Sertoli only syndrome (SOS)

Distinct expression of interleukin-1?, interleukin-1?, and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist in testicular tissues and cells from human biopsies with normal and abnormal histology

Abu Elheija M, Dyomin V, Ganaiem M, Lunenfeld E, Vardy NS, Huleihel M.

Cytokines are paracrine/autocrine growth factors known to affect testicular cell functions. The cellular origin and expression levels of interleukin-1 (IL-1) in human normal and pathological testicular biopsies are not yet clear. In the present study, we have investigated the levels and cellular origin of IL-1 family members [IL-1α, IL-β, and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra)] in human testicular normal and abnormal biopsies with incomplete maturation arrest (IMA) or Sertoli only syndrome (SOS), using real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical staining analysis. Our results show that the levels of IL-1α were higher in Leydig/interstitial cells of biopsies with IMA and SOS compared with normal. The levels of IL-1α in Sertoli cells of normal biopsies were higher than IMA and SOS. The mRNA levels of IL-1α were similar in all biopsies. IL-1β levels were higher in Leydig/interstitial cells of normal biopsies compared with Sertoli and germ cells. The levels of IL-1β were similar in testicular cells of all biopsies. However, the mRNA levels of IL-1β were significantly lower in SOS and IMA biopsies compared with normal. IL-1ra was expressed only in Leydig/interstitial cells, and their expression in normal biopsies was higher than in biopsies with IMA and SOS. The mRNA levels of IL-1ra were similar in all biopsies. Thus, it is possible to suggest the involvement of IL-1 system in the regulation of spermatogenesis and male infertility. FAU - Abu Elheija, Mahmoud AU - Abu Elheija M AD - The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel. FAU - Dyomin, Victor AU - Dyomin V FAU - Ganaiem, Masaood AU - Ganaiem M FAU - Lunenfeld, Eitan AU - Lunenfeld E FAU - Vardy, Netta Sion AU - Vardy NS