Updated immunoregulation mechanism of the testis / 中华男科学杂志

ABSTRACT

The testis is an immune privileged organ where germ cells are protected from autoimmune attack to ensure its reproductive function. Immune tolerance is important for the normal development and function of the testis. Notwithstanding its immune-privileged status, the imbalance between the tolerogenic and the efferent limb of the testicular immune response may lead to autoimmune damage in inflammatory or infected circumstances. Testicular immune regulation is a complex system involving multiple factors and the study of the regulation mechanisms of the testis is of great significance for access to new therapeutic targets. Currently, testicular immunoregulation is thought to be related with blood-testis barrier, Sertoli cells, immune cells, cytokines and androgen.