[Immunoregulation of vasoactive intestinal peptide on rat Leydig cells].

AIM: To study the regulation of immune function of rat Leydig cells by vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). METHODS: Rat Leydig cells were seperated and infected by UU, with or without the incubation with VIP. The expression of FasL on Leydig cells in different group was analysed by flow cytometry(FCM). The mRNA expression of IL-1, IL-6, TGF-beta and FasL of Leydig cells in different group was identified by RT-PCR. SD rats were infected by UU with or without the injection of VIP, and the testis tissnes of each group were har vested and observed under transmission electron microscope. RESULTS: When testis was infected by UU, VIP up-regulated the mRNA expression of IL-1, IL-6, and TGF-beta, and down-regulated the expression of FasL in vitro. In addition, there was significant difference in testis morphous of rats from different group. CONCLUSION: VIP could regulate the expression pattern of IL-1, IL-6, TGF-beta and FasL by Leydig cells, which may contribute to maintain immune privilege of the testis. VIP could regulate rat Leydig cell immune function.