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Nagahori K, Kuramasu M, Kawata S, Yakura T, Li Z, Hirai S, Qu N, Itoh M. GIT1 is an untolerized autoantigen involved in immunologic disturbance of spermatogenesis. Histochem Cell Biol 2022; 157:309-319. [DOI: 10.1007/s00418-021-02061-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Nagahori K, Hirai S, Hatayama N, Kuramasu M, Omotehara T, Kawata S, Li Z, Miyaso H, Ogawa Y, Qu N, Terayama H, Hayashi S, Yi SQ, Naito M, Itoh M. Heat shock protein A4L is a potent autoantigen for testicular autoimmunity in mice. J Reprod Immunol 2021; 145:103318. [PMID: 33894646 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2021.103318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Experimental autoimmune orchitis (EAO) may be used as a model to investigate immunological infertility in men. Murine EAO is induced via immunization with auto-immunogenic antigens (AIAgs) from testicular germ cells (TGCs). CD4 + T cells play a crucial role in EAO induction. However, whether AIAgs induce an immune response remains unclear. We aimed to identify self-antigens that induce EAO by screening a phage display library of random TGC peptides using IgG from EAO-induced A/J mice. Twenty TGC-specific AIAgs were detected, and G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 interacting protein-1 (GIT1) and heat shock protein A4L (HSPA4L) were identified as candidate AIAgs that induce EAO. Immunization with GIT1 or HSPA4L, emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvant, resulted in 66 % or 100 % incidence of EAO, respectively, indicating that HSPA4L is a most potent AIAg that induces EAO in mice. These findings may expectedly help improve the diagnostic procedures and treatment of immunological infertility in men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenta Nagahori
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tokyo Medical University, 6-1-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8402, Japan.
| | - Shuichi Hirai
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Aichi Medical University, 1-1 Yazakokarimata, Nagakute, Aichi, 480-1195, Japan.
| | - Naoyuki Hatayama
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tokyo Medical University, 6-1-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8402, Japan; Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Aichi Medical University, 1-1 Yazakokarimata, Nagakute, Aichi, 480-1195, Japan.
| | - Miyuki Kuramasu
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tokyo Medical University, 6-1-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8402, Japan.
| | - Takuya Omotehara
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tokyo Medical University, 6-1-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8402, Japan.
| | - Shinichi Kawata
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tokyo Medical University, 6-1-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8402, Japan.
| | - Zhonglian Li
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tokyo Medical University, 6-1-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8402, Japan.
| | - Hidenobu Miyaso
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tokyo Medical University, 6-1-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8402, Japan.
| | - Yuki Ogawa
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tokyo Medical University, 6-1-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8402, Japan.
| | - Ning Qu
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tokyo Medical University, 6-1-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8402, Japan; Department of Anatomy, Division of Basic Medical Science, Tokai University School of Medicine, 143 Shimokasuya, Isehara, Kanagawa, Japan.
| | - Hayato Terayama
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tokyo Medical University, 6-1-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8402, Japan; Department of Anatomy, Division of Basic Medical Science, Tokai University School of Medicine, 143 Shimokasuya, Isehara, Kanagawa, Japan.
| | - Shogo Hayashi
- Department of Anatomy, Division of Basic Medical Science, Tokai University School of Medicine, 143 Shimokasuya, Isehara, Kanagawa, Japan.
| | - Shuang-Qin Yi
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tokyo Medical University, 6-1-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8402, Japan; Department of Frontier Health Sciences, Graduate School of Human Health Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, 7-2-10 Higashiogu, Arakawa-ku, Tokyo, 116-8551, Japan.
| | - Munekazu Naito
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Aichi Medical University, 1-1 Yazakokarimata, Nagakute, Aichi, 480-1195, Japan.
| | - Masahiro Itoh
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tokyo Medical University, 6-1-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8402, Japan.
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Gong J, Zeng Q, Yu D, Duan YG. T Lymphocytes and Testicular Immunity: A New Insight into Immune Regulation in Testes. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 22:ijms22010057. [PMID: 33374605 PMCID: PMC7793097 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22010057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The immune privilege of the testes is necessary to prevent immune attacks to gamete-specific antigens and paternal major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens, allowing for normal spermatogenesis. However, infection and inflammation of the male genital tract can break the immune tolerance and represent a significant cause of male infertility. Different T cell subsets have been identified in mammalian testes, which may be involved in the maintenance of immune tolerance and pathogenic immune responses in testicular infection and inflammation. We reviewed the evidence in the published literature on different T subtypes (regulatory T cells, helper T cells, cytotoxic T cells, γδ T cells, and natural killer T cells) in human and animal testes that support their regulatory roles in infertility and the orchitis pathology. While many in vitro studies have indicated the regulation potential of functional T cell subsets and their possible interaction with Sertoli cells, Leydig cells, and spermatogenesis, both under physiological and pathological processes, there have been no in situ studies to date. Nevertheless, the normal distribution and function of T cell subsets are essential for the immune privilege of the testes and intact spermatogenesis, and T cell-mediated immune response drives testicular inflammation. The distinct function of different T cell subsets in testicular homeostasis and the orchitis pathology suggests a considerable potential of targeting specific T cell subsets for therapies targeting chronic orchitis and immune infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jialei Gong
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518053, China
| | - Qunxiong Zeng
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518053, China
| | - Di Yu
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Yong-Gang Duan
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518053, China
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Lustig L, Guazzone VA, Theas MS, Pleuger C, Jacobo P, Pérez CV, Meinhardt A, Fijak M. Pathomechanisms of Autoimmune Based Testicular Inflammation. Front Immunol 2020; 11:583135. [PMID: 33101310 PMCID: PMC7546798 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.583135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Infection and inflammation of the male reproductive tract are relevant causes of infertility. Inflammatory damage occurs in the special immunosuppressive microenvironment of the testis, a hallmark termed testicular immune privilege, which allows tolerance to neo-antigens from developing germ cells appearing at puberty, long after the establishment of systemic immune tolerance. Experimental autoimmune orchitis (EAO) is a well-established rodent model of chronic testicular inflammation and organ specific autoimmunity that offers a valuable in vivo tool to investigate the pathological and molecular mechanisms leading to the breakdown of the testicular immune privilege. The disease is characterized by the infiltration of the interstitium by immune cells (mainly macrophages, dendritic cells, and T cells), formation of autoantibodies against testicular antigens, production of pro-inflammatory mediators such as NO, MCP1, TNFα, IL6, or activins and dysregulation of steroidogenesis with reduced levels of serum testosterone. EAO leads to sloughing of germ cells, atrophic seminiferous tubules and fibrotic remodeling, parameters all found similarly to changes in human biopsies from infertile patients with inflammatory infiltrates. Interestingly, testosterone supplementation during the course of EAO leads to expansion of the regulatory T cell population and inhibition of disease development. Knowledge of EAO pathogenesis aims to contribute to a better understanding of human testicular autoimmune disease as an essential prerequisite for improved diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livia Lustig
- Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología/Unidad Académica II, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tècnicas (CONICET), Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Vanesa A Guazzone
- Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología/Unidad Académica II, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tècnicas (CONICET), Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María S Theas
- Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología/Unidad Académica II, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tècnicas (CONICET), Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Christiane Pleuger
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.,Hessian Centre of Reproductive Medicine, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Patricia Jacobo
- Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología/Unidad Académica II, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tècnicas (CONICET), Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Cecilia V Pérez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tècnicas (CONICET), Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Andreas Meinhardt
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.,Hessian Centre of Reproductive Medicine, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Monika Fijak
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.,Hessian Centre of Reproductive Medicine, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
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Wu P, Sun Z, Lv X, Pei X, Manthari RK, Wang J. Fluoride Induces Autoimmune Orchitis Involved with Enhanced IL-17A Secretion in Mice Testis. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2019; 67:13333-13343. [PMID: 31703480 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.9b05789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Fluoride (F) widely exists in the water and food. Recent studies reported that F induced testicular toxicity via inflammation reaction. This study was aimed to explore the mechanism of F-induced inflammation in testis. 100 healthy male mice (BALB/cJ strain) were randomly divided into five groups including: control, experimental autoimmune orchitis (EAO), and three F groups (25, 50, and 100 mg/L sodium fluoride (NaF)). After 150 d, the results showed a significant increase in testicular cytokines levels including of IL-17A, IL-6, IFN-γ, and TNF-α in NaF and EAO groups compared with control group. Interestingly, the presence of specific antisperm autoantibodies in antitesticular autoantibodies and the notable recruitment of immunocyte (T cells and dendritic cells) were also observed in NaF and EAO groups. In addition, findings showed that in NaF and EAO groups macrophages and T cells both significantly secreted IL-17A, and the protein and mRNA levels of cytokines (IL-6 and TGF-β) were significantly increased. From these results, it can be concluded that autoimmune orchitis and IL-17A are implicated in F-induced testicular inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panhong Wu
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine , Shanxi Agricultural University , Taigu , Shanxi 030801 , China
| | - Zilong Sun
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine , Shanxi Agricultural University , Taigu , Shanxi 030801 , China
| | - Xiaoqian Lv
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine , Shanxi Agricultural University , Taigu , Shanxi 030801 , China
| | - Xuejing Pei
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine , Shanxi Agricultural University , Taigu , Shanxi 030801 , China
| | - Ram Kumar Manthari
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine , Shanxi Agricultural University , Taigu , Shanxi 030801 , China
| | - Jundong Wang
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine , Shanxi Agricultural University , Taigu , Shanxi 030801 , China
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Abstract
Orchitis can be acutely symptomatic or chronically asymptomatic. Among the acute forms is the rarer isolated orchitis, which is of viral origin in most cases as well as the more frequent secondary orchitis, which is usually the result of an ascending bacterial epididymitis. In addition, sterile forms of orchitis are also seen in patients with systemic autoimmune comorbidities. Chronic asymptomatic orchitis is the term used to describe cellular immune infiltrates in the testes, which are observed in approximately 25% of cases of azoospermia during testicular biopsy. The etiopathogenesis of these infiltrates is largely unknown with postinfection and primary pathogen-independent autoimmune reactions being discussed. Animal experimental models of orchitis may be helpful to investigate the immunological mechanisms involved as well as the therapeutic possibilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Pilatz
- Klinik für Urologie, Kinderurologie und Andrologie, Justus-Liebig-Universität, Rudolf-Buchheim-Str. 7, 35392, Gießen, Deutschland.
| | - M Fijak
- Institut für Anatomie und Zellbiologie, Justus-Liebig-Universität, Gießen, Deutschland
| | - F Wagenlehner
- Klinik für Urologie, Kinderurologie und Andrologie, Justus-Liebig-Universität, Rudolf-Buchheim-Str. 7, 35392, Gießen, Deutschland
| | - H-C Schuppe
- Klinik für Urologie, Kinderurologie und Andrologie, Justus-Liebig-Universität, Rudolf-Buchheim-Str. 7, 35392, Gießen, Deutschland
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Fijak M, Pilatz A, Hedger MP, Nicolas N, Bhushan S, Michel V, Tung KSK, Schuppe HC, Meinhardt A. Infectious, inflammatory and 'autoimmune' male factor infertility: how do rodent models inform clinical practice? Hum Reprod Update 2018; 24:416-441. [PMID: 29648649 PMCID: PMC6016649 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmy009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2016] [Revised: 03/02/2018] [Accepted: 03/10/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infection and inflammation of the reproductive tract are significant causes of male factor infertility. Ascending infections caused by sexually transmitted bacteria or urinary tract pathogens represent the most frequent aetiology of epididymo-orchitis, but viral, haematogenous dissemination is also a contributory factor. Limitations in adequate diagnosis and therapy reflect an obvious need for further understanding of human epididymal and testicular immunopathologies and their contribution to infertility. A major obstacle for advancing our knowledge is the limited access to suitable tissue samples. Similarly, the key events in the inflammatory or autoimmune pathologies affecting human male fertility are poorly amenable to close examination. Moreover, the disease processes generally have occurred long before the patient attends the clinic for fertility assessment. In this regard, data obtained from experimental animal models and respective comparative analyses have shown promise to overcome these restrictions in humans. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE This narrative review will focus on male fertility disturbances caused by infection and inflammation, and the usefulness of the most frequently applied animal models to study these conditions. SEARCH METHODS An extensive search in Medline database was performed without restrictions until January 2018 using the following search terms: 'infection' and/or 'inflammation' and 'testis' and/or 'epididymis', 'infection' and/or 'inflammation' and 'male genital tract', 'male infertility', 'orchitis', 'epididymitis', 'experimental autoimmune' and 'orchitis' or 'epididymitis' or 'epididymo-orchitis', antisperm antibodies', 'vasectomy'. In addition to that, reference lists of primary and review articles were reviewed for additional publications independently by each author. Selected articles were verified by each two separate authors and discrepancies discussed within the team. OUTCOMES There is clear evidence that models mimicking testicular and/or epididymal inflammation and infection have been instructive in a better understanding of the mechanisms of disease initiation and progression. In this regard, rodent models of acute bacterial epididymitis best reflect the clinical situation in terms of mimicking the infection pathway, pathogens selected and the damage, such as fibrotic transformation, observed. Similarly, animal models of acute testicular and epididymal inflammation using lipopolysaccharides show impairment of reproduction, endocrine function and histological tissue architecture, also seen in men. Autoimmune responses can be studied in models of experimental autoimmune orchitis (EAO) and vasectomy. In particular, the early stages of EAO development showing inflammatory responses in the form of peritubular lymphocytic infiltrates, thickening of the lamina propria of affected tubules, production of autoantibodies against testicular antigens or secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators, replicate observations in testicular sperm extraction samples of patients with 'mixed atrophy' of spermatogenesis. Vasectomy, in the form of sperm antibodies and chronic inflammation, can also be studied in animal models, providing valuable insights into the human response. WIDER IMPLICATIONS This is the first comprehensive review of rodent models of both infectious and autoimmune disease of testis/epididymis, and their clinical implications, i.e. their importance in understanding male infertility related to infectious and non-infectious/autoimmune disease of the reproductive organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Fijak
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Aulweg 123, Giessen, Germany
| | - Adrian Pilatz
- Clinic of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Justus-Liebig University of Giessen, Germany
| | - Mark P Hedger
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, 27-31 Wright Street, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nour Nicolas
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Aulweg 123, Giessen, Germany
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, 27-31 Wright Street, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sudhanshu Bhushan
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Aulweg 123, Giessen, Germany
| | - Vera Michel
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Aulweg 123, Giessen, Germany
| | - Kenneth S K Tung
- Departments of Pathology and Microbiology, Beirne Carter Center for Immunology Research, University of Virginia, 345 Crispell Drive, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Hans-Christian Schuppe
- Clinic of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Justus-Liebig University of Giessen, Germany
| | - Andreas Meinhardt
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Aulweg 123, Giessen, Germany
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, 27-31 Wright Street, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
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Immune-Related Concepts in Biology and Treatment of Germ-Cell Tumors. Adv Urol 2018; 2018:3718165. [PMID: 29725351 PMCID: PMC5872660 DOI: 10.1155/2018/3718165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2017] [Revised: 01/22/2018] [Accepted: 02/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Germ-cell tumors (GCTs) are highly curable with chemotherapy. Salvage chemotherapy or surgery can cure a proportion of patients, but the ones failing these treatments will die of their disease in the young age. Immune checkpoint pathways are emerging as powerful targetable biomarkers, and a significant preclinical and clinical research is underway to widen our knowledge and expand the treatment possibilities with immune therapy. The concept of immune modulation that was currently adopted in many solid tumors is understudied in GCTs. Herein, we summarize the current knowledge of published literature discussing the immune mechanisms and immune therapy in GCTs.
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