Human Sertoli Cell Model for Study of Male Reproductive Function and Toxicity

描述（由申请人提供）：I期研究的总体目标是开发由在可渗透膜支持物上培养的原代人支持细胞组成的血-睾丸屏障（BTB）的三维模型。MandalMed科学家使用一种新的专利申请方法从正常的人类睾丸组织中分离出人类支持细胞。据我们所知，由于分离困难，人支持细胞以前从未容易用于体外研究。该产品的应用包括药物和工业化学品的分布和毒理学研究，不育研究，男性避孕药的开发，并最终用于创建人类精子发生模型。非常需要更准确、成本更低和耗时更少的方法来评估对睾丸中药物分布、生殖功能和毒性的影响。I期研究确定了三个具体目标，如下所述。I.建立人睾丸支持细胞的transwell三维培养体系，作为血睾屏障的模型。二.评估模型化合物影响模型BTB渗透性的能力。三.评估用于模型BTB的化合物的毒性。II期的重点领域是鉴定人类支持细胞功能的遗传或蛋白质组学标志物，包括连接点的形成或破坏、转运蛋白、免疫调节、与睾丸药物分布的动物研究的比较、雄性生殖毒性以及作为定量人类BTB渗透性和支持细胞毒性的方法的标准化。在第二阶段，我们将开发更复杂的多细胞模型系统。I期研究的总体目标是开发一个由在可渗透膜支持物上培养的原代人支持细胞组成的血-睾丸屏障（BTB）的三维模型。该产品的应用包括药物和工业化学品的分布和毒理学研究，不育研究，男性避孕药的开发，并最终用于创建人类精子发生模型。现在非常需要更准确、费用更低和耗时更少的方法来评估对生殖功能的影响和毒性。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The overall goal of the Phase I research is to develop a three-dimensional model of the blood-testis barrier (BTB) consisting of primary human Sertoli cells cultured on permeable membrane supports. The human Sertoli cells have been isolated from normal human testis tissue by MandalMed scientists using a novel patent-pending methodology. To our knowledge, due to difficulty in their isolation human Sertoli cells have never been readily available before for in vitro studies. Applications of the product include studies of the distribution and toxicology of drugs and industrial chemicals, infertility research, development of male contraceptive agents, and eventually for creation of a model of human spermatogenesis. There is a great need for more accurate, less costly and time- consuming methods of assessing effects on drug distribution in the testis, reproductive function and toxicity. Three Specific Aims have been identified for the Phase I research as described below. I. Develop a transwell three-dimensional culture system for primary human Sertoli cells as a model of the blood-testis barrier (BTB). II. Assess the ability of model compounds to affect permeability of the model BTB. III. Assess the toxicity of compounds for the model BTB. Areas of focus that are envisioned for Phase II are identification of genetic or proteomic markers for human Sertoli cell function, including the formation or disruption of junctions, transporters, immunomodulation, comparisons with animal studies of distribution of drugs for the testis, male reproductive toxicity, and the standardization as a method for quantifying human BTB permeability and Sertoli cell toxicity. In Phase II we will develop more complex, multicellular model systems. The overall goal of the Phase I research is to develop a three-dimensional model of the blood-testis barrier (BTB) consisting of primary human Sertoli cells cultured on permeable membrane supports. Applications of the product include studies of the distribution and toxicology of drugs and industrial chemicals, infertility research, development of male contraceptive agents, and eventually for creation of a model of human spermatogenesis. There is a great need for more accurate, less costly and time- consuming methods of assessing effects on reproductive function and toxicity.