ZIP9 is a Zn2+ transporter, testosterone receptor, and mediator of signaling events through G-proteins. Despite these pivotal properties, however, its physiological and pathophysiological significance has not yet been comprehensively addressed. Using a cell line that lacks the classical androgen receptor we show that ZIP9-mediated phosphorylation of Erk1/2, CREB, or ATF-1 and expression of claudin-5 and zonula occludens-1 by testosterone can be completely antagonized by bicalutamide (Casodex), an anti-androgen of significant clinical impact. Computational modeling and docking experiments with ZIP9 reveal typical characteristics of ZIP transporters and an extracellular binding site for testosterone capable of accommodating bicalutamide. The presence of this site is verified by our demonstration that the membrane-impermeable testosterone analogue T-BSA-FITC labels the membrane only when ZIP9 is expressed and that this labeling is completely prevented by bicalutamide. The study connects structural features of ZIP9 to its functions and indicates a possible relevance of ZIP9 as a pharmacological target.

Tight junctions (TJ) between brain endothelial cells are essential for formation and maintenance of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Although loss of BBB integrity is associated with several neuropathological disorders, treatments that augment or stabilise the BBB are scarce. Here we show that physiological concentrations of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) stimulate the expression of the TJ proteins zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and claudin-3 in the brain-derived endothelial cell line bEnd.3 and promote TJ formation between neighbouring cells, demonstrated by augmented transendothelial resistance across cell monolayers. Silencing androgen receptor expression by siRNA does not prevent DHEAS-induced stimulation of ZO-1 expression, indicating that conversion of DHEAS into testosterone is not required for its actions. Suppression of Gnα11 expression by siRNA prevents DHEAS actions, pointing towards a G-protein-coupled receptor as being a mediator of the DHEAS effects. These results are consistent with the idea that DHEAS, acting as a hormone in its own right, supports the integrity of the BBB. The current findings might help in developing new strategies for the prevention or treatment of neurological disorders associated with BBB defects.

A protocol for the isolation and long-term propagation of adult rat Sertoli cells (SCs) using conditional reprogramming (CR) was developed and the formation of tight junctions as an in vitro model for the blood testis barrier (BTB) was studied. Three pure primary SC lines were isolated successfully and maintained for several months without significant changes in expression levels of SC-typical markers such as SRY-box transcription factor 9 (SOX9), transferrin, clusterin, androgen receptor (AR), and GATA binding protein 1 (GATA1). In addition to AR expression, the tight junction proteins, zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and the junctional adhesion molecule-3 (JAM-3), were upregulated and the SC barrier integrity was enhanced by testosterone. Peritubular/myoid cells did not increase the tightness of the SC. The cytokines, interleukin-6 (IL-6), bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP2), and transforming growth factor beta-3 (TGF-β3), negatively affected the tightness of the SC barrier. We have established a protocol for the isolation and long-term propagation of highly pure primary adult rat SCs, which are able to respond to androgen treatments, to form tight junctions and to maintain the mRNA expression of SC-specific genes. By applying this new method, adult SCs can now be analyzed in more detail and might serve as an in vitro model for the study of many SC functions.