Large-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels (BKCa) modulate testicular macrophages oxidative state: possible implications in male infertility.

MATZKIN ME; MARTINEZ, G; LEVALLE O; FRUNGIERI MB; RIVIERE, E; PUIGDOMENECH E; MAYERHOFER A; TERRADAS C; PONZIO R; CALANDRA RS

Mar del Plata

Congreso; LXIII Reunión de la Sociedad Argentina de Investigación Clínica; 2018

LXIII Reunión de la Socieda Argentina de Investigación Clínica, SAIC

Ion channels play a major role controlling membrane potential. One particular member, the largeconductance Ca2+-activated K+ channel (BKCa), has been localized to non-excitable cells, i.e. peripheral macrophages (MACs) and Leydig cells. This study examined the expression of BKCa channels in testicular MACs (tMACs) and its potential role in the regulation of the oxidative state in these immune cells. We previously described an increase in MAC cell number in testes of men suffering from hypospermatogenesis (H) or Sertoli cell only (SCO) syndrome. Now, we detected, by immunohistochemistry, the expression of BKCa in testes of infertile men. Co-immunolocalization studies revealed BKCa channels expression in CD68-immunopositive MACs, suggesting a possible role of BKCa in tMAC physiology. Moreover, an increase in lipid peroxidation (tiobarbituric reactive species assay, N:7,24±3,42a; H+SCO:19,13±2,73b pmol MDA/mg tissue; p