Germ cell migration across Sertoli cell tight junctions.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
11-9-2012
JAX Source
Science 2012 Nov 9; 338(6108):798-802.
PMID
22997133
ISSN
1095-9203
Abstract
The blood-testis barrier includes strands of tight junctions between somatic Sertoli cells that restricts solutes from crossing the paracellular space, creating a microenvironment within seminiferous tubules and providing immune privilege to meiotic and postmeiotic cells. Large cysts of germ cells transit the Sertoli cell tight junctions (SCTJs) without compromising their integrity. We used confocal microscopy to visualize SCTJ components during germ cell cyst migration across the SCTJs. Cysts become enclosed within a network of transient compartments fully bounded by old and new tight junctions. Dissolution of the old tight junctions releases the germ cells into the adluminal compartment, thus completing transit across the blood-testis barrier. Claudin 3, a tight junction protein, is transiently incorporated into new tight junctions and then replaced by claudin 11.
Recommended Citation
Smith B,
Braun R.
Germ cell migration across Sertoli cell tight junctions. Science 2012 Nov 9; 338(6108):798-802.