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Evidence for the Presence of Angiogenin in Human Testis

SHIGEO HORIE

TAKUYA AYABE

OSAMU TSUTSUMI^*,

From the ^* Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Tokyo, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan; the Department of Urology, Kyorin University, Tokyo, Japan; the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan; and the CREST Japan Science and Technology, Honmachi, Kawaguchi, Japan.

Correspondence to: Yutaka Osuga, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan (e-mail: yutakaos-tky{at}umin.ac.jp).

We have reported the expression and possible roles of angiogenin, a potent angiogenic factor, in human female reproductive organs. In this study, we investigated the expression of angiogenin in the human testis, a male reproductive organ. Western blot analysis showed the presence of angiogenin in the human testis, with a single band of the same size as recombinant human angiogenin. Immunohistochemical study and in situ hybridization showed that the angiogenin protein and messenger RNA (mRNA) localized in peritubular myoid cells (PTMCs) and vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells. PTMCs are known to play various roles in the testes concerned with spermatogenesis, transport of spermatozoa, structural support to the seminiferous tubules, and mediation of Sertoli cell function. The specific localization of angiogenin in PTMCs suggests that angiogenin plays physiologic roles in the human testis.

     Key words: Immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization

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