@Article{ecn.2008.0116,
AUTHOR = {Mahmoud Abu Elhija, Eitan Lunenfeld, Talia Eldar-Geva, Mahmoud Huleihel},
TITLE = {Over-expression of IL-18, ICE and IL-18 R in testicular tissue from sexually immature as compared to mature mice},
JOURNAL = {European Cytokine Network},
VOLUME = {19},
YEAR = {2008},
NUMBER = {1},
PAGES = {15--24},
URL = {http://www.techscience.com/ECN/v19n1/65943},
ISSN = {1952-4005},
ABSTRACT = {In this study we examined the cellular origin and the expression levels of interleukin-18 (IL-18),
IL-18 receptor (IL-18R) and IL-1b-converting enzyme (ICE), which activates pro-IL-18, during normal
maturation of murine testis. The levels of IL-18, IL-18R and ICE were significantly higher in testicular tissues and
homogenates (but not in the spleen or liver) from sexually immature than mature mice. Immunohistochemical
staining of testicular tissues from sexually immature and mature mice shows that testicular germ cells and Leydig
cells/interstitial cells express higher levels of IL-18, as compared to other testicular cells. Peritubular cells of
sexually immature and mature mice also expressed IL-18. Our results demonstrate, for the first time,
over-expression of the IL-18 family in testicular tissues of sexually immature mice, as compared to mature mice,
as well as the expression of IL-18 in the different stages of differentiation of testicular germ cells. Thus, our results
may indicate involvement of the endocrine system (gonadotropins and testosterone) in the regulation of the
testicular IL-18 family, which could be involved in the regulation of testicular functions, development and
spermatogenesis under physiological conditions.},
DOI = {10.1684/ecn.2008.0116}
}