Evaluation of expression of chromatin helicase/atpase DNA binding protein 1-like (CHD1L) protein in mouse model of disrupted blood-testis barrier

Objective: Cancer cells have been shown to invade tissues by activation of MMPs after activation of the CHD1L-mediated signaling pathway. In the male reproductive system; CHD1L has been reported to promote the survival of spermatogonial stem cells. Our aim was to investigate the expression of CHD1L in the impaired blood testis barrier in mice. Method: 48 BALB/c adult male (5-week-old) mice were used in the study. 30mg/ml MEHP (Mono-(2-Ethylhexyl phthalate) was administered via oral gavage to induce blood testis barrier (BTB) distruption. Two groups were performed, vehicle and MEHP, to evaluate testis tissues at 6h, 12h, and 24h. PAS-H staining and Johnsen score were done for histopathological evaluations. β1-integrin protein expression was evaluated by western blot technique to confirm BTB distruption. CHD1L, MMP-2, MMP-9, and TIMP-2 protein expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. CHD1L protein expression was evaluated by western blot analysis in all groups. Expression of CHD1L in Sertoli cell line was also evaluated. Statistical analyses for parametric and non-parametric data were performed where appropriate. Results: Histopathological evaluations showed that BTB was impaired in MEHP group. CHD1L expression increased significantly in 12h group after BTB distruption (p<0.05). Expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 increased whereas TIMP-2 expression decreased after BTB distruption. CHD1L protein expression was also confirmed in Sertoli and germ cells of rat and human testes. Expression of CHD1L was confirmed in cultured Sertoli cells only. Conclusion: In this study, expression of CHD1L was evaluated with in distrupted BTB model in mice. Possible roles of CHD1L in BTB regualtion/dysregulation which may lead to germ cell loss and male infertility needs further investigation. Keywords: mouse, testis, CHD1L, Sertoli cell, blood testis barrier