Tumor necrosis factor alpha receptor p55 is under hormonal (follicle-stimulating hormone) control in testicular Sertoli cells.

Identification of TNF alpha receptors and their regulation by the endocrine system were examined in testicular Sertoli cells. By using cross-linking experiments as well as northern blotting analysis, we detected the p55 receptor type (MW: 55 kDa, mRNA: 2.3 kb), but not the p75 TNF alpha receptor type. Furthermore, we report that Sertoli cell TNF alpha receptors are under the control of FSH, but not of other hormones which affect Sertoli cell activity. FSH enhances (ED50: 2 ng/ml) TNF alpha binding to Sertoli cells. This stimulating effect of FSH occurs at the level of p55 TNF alpha receptor, as indicated by the increase in p55 mRNA after FSH treatment. Together, these observations show that the action of TNF alpha (which originates in the testis from germ cells and/or interstitial macrophages) on Sertoli cells remains under the control of the endocrine system as shown by the regulatory effect of FSH on TNF alpha p55 receptors.