journal article·2026-04Open access

Endothelial PDGF Signaling Dysregulation Impairs Testicular Interstitial Homeostasis in Diabetes

Wenxiu Zhang, Kai Hong, Yanling Tang, Lina Cui, Xiaojian Lu, Jianxing Cheng, Yangyi Fang, Qiaoling Jiang, Ziyan Zhuang, Songzhan Gao, Hui Jiang, Qiang Liu, Jingtao Guo, Zhe Zhang, Xiaoyan Wang

Advanced Science· Volume 13· Issue 21

Abstract

ABSTRACT The testicular interstitium relies on coordinated signaling among vascular, steroidogenic, and structural cells, yet the regulatory role of testicular endothelial cells (TECs) in maintaining this homeostasis remains unclear. Here, we identify TECs as a central signaling hub that orchestrates intercellular communication within the human testis. Integrative single‐cell transcriptomic analysis of healthy and diabetic testes reveals that diabetes disrupts platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF) signaling. TECs in diabetes undergo endothelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition and exhibit reduced PDGFB expression, while Leydig and testicular peritubular cells downregulate PDGFRB , collectively weakening intercellular connectivity. This disruption silences the JUND‐MCL1 survival program in Leydig cells, leading to apoptosis, extracellular matrix accumulation, and testosterone insufficiency, while impairing the contractility of testicular peritubular cells. Importantly, exogenous PDGF‐BB supplementation reactivates the JUND‐MCL1 axis, protects Leydig cells, alleviates fibrosis, and partially restores testosterone production and peritubular function. Together, these findings establish endothelial PDGF dysregulation as a key driver of diabetic testicular pathology and highlight PDGF‐BB supplementation as a mechanistically grounded therapeutic strategy to restore interstitial and endocrine function in the context of diabetes.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Testicular diseases and treatments · Sperm and Testicular Function · Angiogenesis and VEGF in Cancer

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

State Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China

Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Beijing China

University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China

Department of Urology Center for Reproductive Medicine State Key Laboratory of Female Fertility Promotion Peking University Third Hospital Beijing China

Department of Andrology Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou Henan China

Department of Urology Peking University First Hospital Beijing China

The Institution of Urology Peking University Beijing China

Beijing Key Laboratory of Urogenital Diseases (Male) Molecular Diagnosis and Treatment Center Beijing China

State Key Laboratory of Female Fertility Promotion Center for Reproductive Medicine Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Peking University Third Hospital Beijing China

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China

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