Objective To investigate the effect of benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) on mRNA expression of junction protein genes in sertoli cells.
Methods Sertoli cells were isolated from 21-day-old male rats and incubated at a density of 1.5& #215;106 cells/mL. After incubation for 48 h, the sertoli cells were exposed to varied concentrations of BaP (0, 1, 10, 50, and 100 μmol/L) for 12 h. Every group contained 6 samples. Cell viability, caspase-3 activity, and mRNA expression levels of junction protein genes were measured.
Results The cell viability was significantly decreased by the BaP treatment at 50 μmol/L compared with the control group (P < 0.01). The caspase-3 activity was increased and the mRNA expression levels of connexin 43, occludin, and ZO-1 were decreased after BaP exposure at 10 μmol/L compared with the control group (P < 0.05). A down-regulated mRNA expression level of N-cadherin was observed after BaP administration at 100 μmol/L compared with control group (P < 0.05). The mRNA expression levels of junction protein genes were changed along with the alteration of caspase-3 activity after caspase-3 inhibitor was added.
Conclusion BaP exposure could decrease mRNA expression levels of junction protein genes in primary sertoli cells, in which an up-regulated caspase-3 activity by BaP interference may play an important role.
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