Induction of interleukin-1 alpha production in murine Sertoli cells by interleukin-1

In the present study we examined the involvement of interleukin (IL)-1 alph a, -1 beta, FSH, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the regulation of IL-1 alp ha and -1 beta production by Sertoli cells under in vitro conditions. Serto li cell cultures from immature mice produced constitutively basal levels of intracellular IL-1 alpha. Stimulation of Sertoli cell cultures with LPS (5 mu g/ml) resulted in a maximal production of intracellular IL-1 alpha 2 h after the stimulation. Thereafter, these levels decreased but remained sign ificantly higher within 24 h after stimulation than those in control cultur es. The effect of LPS on IL-1 alpha production was dose dependent. FSH did not show any effect on intracellular IL-1 alpha production by Sertoli cells . IL-1 alpha could not be detected in supernatants of unstimulated or stimu lated Sertoli cell cultures. Sertoli cell cultures stimulated with recombin ant IL-1 alpha induced optimal intracellular levels of IL-1 alpha within 2 h of stimulation. These levels remained high 24 h after stimulation. Howeve r, stimulation of Sertoli cell cultures with IL-1 beta induced a peak of IL -1 alpha production 8 h after stimulation. These levels decreased 24 h afte r the stimulation but were still found to be significantly higher than thos e in control cultures. The addition of IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) to Sertoli cell cultures did not significantly alter their capacity to produc e IL-1 alpha. However, the stimulatory effects of recombinant IL-1 alpha on IL-1 alpha production by Sertoli cell cultures were reversed by the concom itant addition of recombinant IL-1ra. No immunoreactive IL-1 beta could be detected in lysates or conditioned med ia of immature murine Sertoli cells under any of the stimulatory conditions outlined. Our results may suggest the involvement of physiological (IL-1) and pathoph ysiological factors (LPS) in the regulation of spermatogenesis and spermiog enesis processes and male fertility.