Proton-Secreting Cells as Drivers of Inflammation and Sperm Dysfunction in LPS-Induced Epididymitis.

ABSTRACT: Proton-secreting cells in various organs, such as the kidney and epididymis, regulate pH balance, maintain cellular homeostasis, and support key physiological processes. More recently, these specialized cells have emerged as key contributors to mucosal immunity, orchestrating immune activation. Epididymitis is an inflammatory condition that significantly impacts male fertility, often due to a lack of diagnosis and treatment. This study investigates the role of region-specific epididymal proton-secreting clear cells (CCs) in shaping immune responses during LPS-induced epididymitis in mice. We found that in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), CCs rapidly shifted to a proinflammatory phenotype, marked by the upregulation of cytokines and chemokines, alongside the downregulation of genes inv

SUBMITTER: Da Silva AAS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12203219 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature