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Somatic-Immune Cells Crosstalk In-The-Making of Testicular Immune Privilege

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Abstract

Immunological infertility contributes significantly to the etiology of idiopathic male infertility. Shielding the spermatogenic cells from systemic immune responses is fundamental to secure normal production of spermatozoa. The body’s immune system is tuned with the host self-components since the early postnatal period, while sperm first develops during puberty, thus rendering spermatogenic proteins as ‘non-self’ or ‘antigenic.’ Development of antibodies to these antigens elicits autoimmune responses affecting sperm motility, functions, and fertility. Therefore, the testes need to establish a specialized immune-privileged microenvironment to protect the allogenic germ cells by orchestration of various testicular cells and resident immune cells. This is achieved through sequestration of antigenic germ cells by blood–testis barrier and actions of various endocrine, paracrine, immune-suppressive, and immunomodulatory mechanisms. The various mechanisms are very complex and need conceptual integration to disclose the exact physiological scenario, and to facilitate detection and management of immunogenic infertility caused by disruption of testicular immune regulation. The present review aims to (a) discuss the components of testicular immune privilege; (b) explain testicular somatic and immune cell interactions in establishing and maintaining the testicular immune micro-environment; and (c) illustrate the integration of multiple mechanisms involved in the control of immune privilege of the testis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oral Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, MAHSA University, Jenjarom, Selangor , Malaysia

    Sulagna Dutta

  2. Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA

    Narpal Sandhu

  3. Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Bioscience and Nursing, MAHSA University, Jenjarom, Selangor , Malaysia

    Pallav Sengupta

  4. Department of Anatomy and Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

    Marco G. Alves

  5. Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK

    Ralf Henkel

  6. Department of Medical Bioscience, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa

    Ralf Henkel

  7. LogixX Pharma, Theale, Berkshire, UK

    Ralf Henkel

  8. American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Mail Code X-11, 10681 Carnegie Avenue, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA

    Ashok Agarwal

Authors
  1. Sulagna Dutta
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  2. Narpal Sandhu
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  3. Pallav Sengupta
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  4. Marco G. Alves
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  5. Ralf Henkel
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  6. Ashok Agarwal
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ashok Agarwal.

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Dutta, S., Sandhu, N., Sengupta, P. et al. Somatic-Immune Cells Crosstalk In-The-Making of Testicular Immune Privilege. Reprod. Sci. 29, 2707–2718 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43032-021-00721-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s43032-021-00721-0

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