The Neuroendocrine Leydig Cells and their Stem Cell Progenitors, the Pericytes (eBook)

Acknowledgements 6
List of Contents 7
Chapter 1 Introduction 10
Chapter 2 History of and Recent Progress in Leydig Cell Research 12
2.1 More Than 150 Years Ago: The Discovery of Leydig Cells 12
2.2 100 Years Later: The Endocrine Characteristics of the Leydig Cells Were Revealed 14
2.3 Novel Aspects: Evidence for Neuroendocrine Properties of the Leydig Cells 15
2.4 Newer Results: Adult Leydig Cells Originate from Microvascular Mural Stem Cells (Pericytes and Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells) 17
Chapter 3 Morphology of the Leydig Cells 18
3.1 Leydig Cells Represent a Heterogeneous Cell Population 18
Chapter 4 The Well-Known Endocrine Function of the Leydig Cells 28
Chapter 5 The Neuroendocrine Properties of the Leydig Cells 31
5.1 Considering Selected Substances 35
5.2 Hormones 44
5.3 Natriuretic Peptides 46
5.4 Neurofilament and Other Proteins 47
5.5 Astrocyte and Oligodendrocyte Marker Molecules 47
5.6 The Renin-Angiotensin System 48
5.7 VEGFs and Their Receptors 49
5.8 PDGFs and Their Receptors 50
Chapter 6 Development of the Testis 52
6.1 The Testis Arises from the Urogenital Ridge and the Indifferent Gonad Rudiment 52
6.2 Primordial Germ Cells Migrate from the Epiblast into the Genital Ridges 52
6.3 The Sertoli Cells Emerge from Migrating Cells of the Coelomic Epithelium and Contribute to the Formation of the Testicular Cords 53
6.4 Migrating Mesonephric Cells Contribute to the Generation of Other Somatic Cells in the Male Gonad 54
Chapter 7 Development of the Neuroendocrine Leydig Cells 56
7.1 Two Main Leydig Cell Types Differentiate During Testis Development: The Fetal-Type and the Adult-Type Leydig Cells 56
7.2 Origin and Differentiation of the Adult Neuroendocrine Leydig Cells 57
7.3 Definition and Classification of the Stem Cells 58
7.4 Postnatal Development of the Neuroendocrine Leydig Cells in Rat and Mouse Testis 60
7.5 EDS Treatment of Adult Rats Also Leads To Damage of the Seminiferous Epithelium 76
7.6 The Pericyte Is a Peculiar Cell Type Just Now Beginning To Be Understood 77
7.7 The Vascular Stem Cell Niche and the Stem-Cell-Like Progenitors of Testicular Leydig Cells 87
7.8 Leydig Cells May Be Continuously Generated from Stem/ Progenitors Cells in the Testes of Adult Mammals 89
7.9 Postnatal Development of Leydig Cells in Rodent Testis 91
7.10 Postnatal Development of Leydig Cells in the Human Testis 94
Chapter 8 Fetal and Adult Leydig Cells Are of Common Origin 95
8.1 Where Do the Leydig Cell Ancestors Come from? 96
8.2 The Development of the Fetal Leydig Cells Is Closely Associated with the Development of the Testis Vasculature 97
8.3 Leydig Cells, Blood Vessels and the Developing Testis 98
8.4 Are Stem Cells Really a Very Rare Population? 101
8.5 Leydig Stem/Progenitor Cells and the Neural Crest 104
8.6 The Aorta–Gonad–Mesonephros Region Harbours Many Diverse Stem Cells 108
Chapter 9 Concluding Remarks 110
References 113
Subject Index 154