Caracterización de las células MEPC5 (mouse epididymal proximal caput 5) como modelo para el estudio de la expresión epididimaria de PEDF (factor derivado del epitelio de pigmentario).

LOPEZ ME; CABRILLANA M.E; MONCLUS MA; PIETROBON E.O.

Mendoza

Jornada; XXV Jornadas de Investigación SIIP - UNCuyo; 2018

Secretaría de Investigación, Internacionales y Postgrado UNCuyo

PEDF (pigment epithelium derived factor), is a glycoprotein that belongs to the serine proteases family, widely spreadin different mammalian tissues. It has functions in cell survival and repair, as an antioxidant, antiapoptotic andantiangiogenic factor antagonizing VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor). There many antecedents regardinPEDF rol in female reproductive tract as an antioxidant and antiapoptotic factor protecting the ovarian granullosa cells.Recently has begun its study in physiological and pathological situations in male reproductive system. Our laboratoryrecently described PEDF expression and its androgen-dependent in the male tract of Wistar rats. In this specie PEDFis expressed mainly in epididymal, seminal vesicles and prostate but notably not in testes. We extended the study toan in vivo model (C57bl/6 wild type mice) and also in a cell culture model MEPC5 cells obtained and immortalized fromC57bl/6 mice. MEPC5 cells shown PEDF, P21 and Estrogen receptor alpha (ER α) expression by immunocytochemistry. Androgen receptor (AR), VEGF (a known PEDF antagonist) were also detected by western blot andindirect immunofluorescence (IFI). In mouse tissues we observed PEDF expression over testicular peritubular cells aswas described previously en human and primates but no in rats. These results favour the development of new lines ofresearch to recognize the functional role of PEDF in the reproductive tract of rodents.