Challenge to determine the novel host defense system in male reproductive organs and sperm in chickens

本研究旨在探讨鸡雄性生殖器官和精子中的天然免疫系统。检查Toll样受体（TLR）和禽类β-防御素（avBD）是否在雄性生殖器官中表达，TLR的刺激是否诱导促炎性细胞因子，随后是T细胞的流入，以及精子是否响应于微生物组分表达avBD。结果表明，雄性生殖器官表达多种TLRs和avBD，脂多糖刺激TLR 4可诱导促炎细胞因子。合成的促炎细胞因子可增强T细胞介导的细胞免疫和avBD的合成。精子也表达了可能在宿主自身免疫中发挥作用的avBD。TLRs和avBD介导的免疫功能可能在雄性生殖器官和精子中形成宿主防御系统。

The aim of this study was to determine the innate immune system in the male reproductive organs and sperm of chickens. It was examined whether Toll-like receptors(TLRs) and avianβ-defensins(avBDs) were expressed in male reproductive organs, whether stimulation of TLR induced proinflammatory cytokines, followed by influx of T cells, and whether sperm expressed avBDs in response to microbial components. The results showed that male reproductive organs expressed various TLRs and avBDs, and stimulation of TLR4 by lipopolysaccharide induced proinflammatory cytokines. The synthesized proinflammatory cytokines may enhance cellular immunity mediated by T cells and symthesis of avBDs. Sperm also expressed avBDs that may play roles in host immunity for themselves. The immune functions mediated by TLRs and avBDs may form the host defense system in male reproductive organs and sperm.