In my laboratory we are interested in the interaction between intercellular junctions and the cytoskeleton in cells within the context of tissues, and in determining how the two systems function together to generate complex remodeling events in epithelia. We use the seminiferous epithelium of the mammalian testis as an ideal model system for our studies because intercellular junctions are large, easy to visualize, and can be readily isolated. Moreover, all three major elements of the cytoskeleton (actin filaments, intermediate filaments and microtubules) are abundant and associated with junctions. Importantly, junctions and elements of the cytoskeleton together are associated with major epithelial remodeling events, such as sperm release, turnover of the blood-testis barrier, and the translocation of developing sperm cells, that occur during spermatogenesis. We currently are exploring two major hypotheses:

(1) changes in position of spermatids in the seminiferous epithelium are due to the microtubule-based transport of specialized actin-associated adherens junctions that occur in Sertoli cell regions attached to developing spermatid heads;

(2) actin-related tubular membrane structures, termed tubulobulbar complexes, that develop during junction disassembly in the seminiferous epithelium are ‘sub-cellular machines’ responsible for internalizing ‘intact’ junctions during sperm release and turnover of the blood-testis barrier.

We make extensive use of imaging techniques (electron microscopy, conventional fluorescence microscopy, and confocal microscopy) in our research.

Young, JS, Guttman, JA, Vaid, KS and Vogl, AW (2009) Cortactin (CTTN), N-WASP (WASL), and clathrin (CLTC) are present at podosome-like tubulobulbar complexes in the rat testis. Biol. Reprod. 80:153-161.

Young, JS, Guttman, JA, Vaid, KS, Shahinian, H and Vogl, AW (2009) Tubulobulbar complexes are intercellular podosome-like structures that internalize intact intercellular junctions during epithelial remodeling events in the rat testis. Biol. Reprod. 80:162-174.

Monsalve, MV, Humphrey, E, Walker, DC, Cheung, C, Vogl, W and Nimmo, M (2008) State of preservation of tissues from ancient human remains found in a glacier in Canada. Amer. J. Phys. Anthro. 137:348-355.

Fudge, D, Russell, D, Beriault, D, Moore, W, Lane, B and Vogl, AW (2008) The intermediate filament network in keratinocyes is remarkably extensible and resilient. PLoS ONE 3(6):e2327.

Kirk SB Bergstrom, Julian A Guttman, Mohammad Rumi, Caixia Ma, Saied Bouzari, Mohammed A Khan, Deanna L Gibson, A Wayne Vogl, and Bruce A Vallance (2008) Modulation of intestinal goblet cell function during infection by an attaching and effacing bacterial pathogen. Infection and Immunity 76:796-8111.

Vaid, KS, Guttman, JA, Singaraja, RR and Vogl, AW (2007) A Kinesin is Present at Unique Sertoli/Spermatid Adherens Junctions in Rat and Mouse Testes. Biol. Reprod. 77:1037-1048.

Vaid, KS, Guttman, JA, Babyak, N, Deng, W, McNiven, MA, Mochizuki, N, Finlay, BB, Vogl, AW (2007) The Role of Dynamin 3 in the Testis. J. Cell Phys. 210:644-654.

Van Raamsdonk, JM, Murphy, Z, Selva, D, Hamidizadeh, R, Pearson, J, Petersen, A, Bjorkqvist, M, Muir, C, MacKenzie, I, Hammond, GL, Vogl, AW, Hayden, MR, Leavitt, BR (2007) Testicular Degeneration in Huntington Disease. Neurobiology of Disease 26(3):512-520.

Guttman, JA, Kazemi, P, Lin, A, Vogl, AW and Finlay, BB (2007) Desmosomes are unaltered during attaching and effacing pathogen infections. Anat. Rec. 290:199-205.

Guttman, JA, Vaid, KS and Vogl, AW (2007) A re-evaluation of gelsolin at ectoplasmic specializations in Sertoli cells – the influence of serum and blocking buffers on staining patterns. Anat. Rec. 290:324-329.

Nielsen, JS, Graves, ML, Chelliah, S, Vogl, AW, Roskelley, CD, McNagny, KM (2007) The CD34-related molecule Podocalyxin is a potent inducer of microvillus formation. PLoS ONE 2:e237.

Goetz, JG, Genty, H, St-Pierre, P, Dang T, Sauvé, R, Vogl, W and Nabi, IR (2007) Reversible interactions between smooth endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria are regulated by physiological cytosolic calcium levels. J. Cell Sci. 120:3553-3564.

Ma, C, Wickham, ME, Guttman, JA, Deng ,W, Walker, J, Madsen, K, Jacobson, K, Vogl, AW, Finlay, BB and Vallance BA (2006) Citrobacter rodentium infection causes both mitochondrial dysfunction and intestinal epithelial barrier disruption in vivo. Role of Mitochondrial associated protein (Map). Cellular Microbiology 8(10):1669-1686.

Guttman, JA, Samji FN, Li, Y, Vogl AW, and Finlay, BB (2006) Evidence that tight junctions are disrupted due to intimate bacterial contact and not inflammation during attaching and effacing pathogen infection in vivo. Infect. Immun. 74(11):6075-84.

Guttman, JA, Li, Y, Wickham, ME, Deng, W, Vogl, AW and Finlay, BB (2006) Attaching and effacing pathogen-induced tight junction disruption in vivo. Cellular Microbiology 8(4):634-645.

Van Raamsdonk, JA, Pearson, J, Rogers, D, Bissana, N, Vogl, AW, Leavitt, BR and Hayden, MR (2005) Loss of wild type huntington influences motor dysfunction and survival in the YAC128 mouse model of Huntington disease. Human Molecular Genetics 14(10):1379-92.

Guttman, JA, Takai, Y and Vogl, AW (2004) Evidence that tubulobulbar complexes in the seminiferous epithelium are involved with internalization of adherens junctions. Biol. Repro. 71:548-559.

Guttman, JA, Obinata, T, Shima, J, Griswold, M, Vogl, AW (2004) Non-Muscle Cofilin is a Component of Tubulobulbar Complexes in the Testis. Biol. Repro. 70:805-812.

Selva, DM, Hirsch-Reinshagen, V, Gurgess, B, Zhou, S, Chan, J, McIsaac, S, Hayden, MR, Hammond, GL, Vogl, AW and Wellington, CL (2004) The ATP-Binding cassette transporter ABCA1 mediates lipid efflux from Sertoli cells and contributes to male fertility. J. Lipid Res. 45:1040-1050.

Tubb, B, Mulholland, DJ, Vogl, W, Lan, Z, Niederberger, C, Cooney, A and Bryan, J (2002) Testis fascin (FSCN3): A novel paralog of the actin–bundling protein fascin expressed specifically in the elongate spermatid head. Exptl. Cell Res. 275:92-109.

Guttman, JA, Janmey, P and Vogl, AW (2002) Gelsolin – Evidence for a Role in Turnover of Junction Related Actin Filaments in Sertoli Cells. Journal of Cell Science 115: 499-505.

Velichkova, M. Guttman, J, Warren, C, Eng, L, Kline, K, Vogl, W, and Hasson, T (2002) A human homologue of Drosophila kelch associates with myosin-VIIa in specialized adhesion junctions. Cell Motility and the Cytoskeleton Vol. 51(3):147-164.

Wilson. JM, Morgan, JD, Vogl, AW and Randall, DJ (2002) Branchial mitochondria-rich cells in the dogfish Squalus acanthias. Comp. Bioch. Physiol. Part A. 132:365-374.

Pfeiffer, DC and Vogl, AW (2002) Actin-related intercellular adhesion junctions in the germinal compartment of the testis in the hagfish (Eptatretus stouti) and lamprey (Lampetra tridentatus). Tissue & Cell 34:375-460.

Mulholland, DJ, Dedhar, S and Vogl, AW (2001) Rat Seminiferous epithelium contains a unique junction (ectoplasmic specialization) with signaling properties both of Cell/Cell and Cell/Matrix junctions. Biol. Reprod.64:396-407.

Leavitt, BR., Guttman, JA, Hodgson, JG, Kimel, G., Singarafa, R., Vogl, AW, and Hayden, MR (2001) Wild-type huntingtin reduces cellular toxicity of mutant huntingtin in vivo. American Journal of Human Genetics 68:313-324.

Wilson, JM, Randall, DJ, Vogl, AW, Harris, J and Iwama, GK (2000) Localization of branchial carbonic anhydrase in a shark, Squalus acanthias. Fish Physiology and Biochemistry 22(4): 329-336.

Mulholland, DJ, Wilson, J, Vogl, AW, and Webber, W (2000) The distribution of actin bundles in Bowman’s capsule of rat kidney. Tissue and Cell 31(6): 610-616.

Wilson, JM, Laurent, P, Tufts, B, Benos, DJ, Vogl, AW and Randall, DJ (2000) NaCl uptake by the freshwater teleost fish branchial epithelium. An immunological approach to ion transport protein localization. Journal of Experimental Biology 203:2279-2296.

Wilson, JM, Randall, DJ, Donowitz, M, Vogl, AW, and Ip, KY (2000) Immunolocalization of ion transport proteins to the mudskipper (Periophthalmodon schlosseri) branchial epithelium mitochondria-rich cells. Journal of experimental Biology 203:2297-2310.

Guttman, JA, Kimel, GH and Vogl, AW (2000) Dynein and plus-end microtubule-dependent motors are associated with specialized Sertoli cell junction plaques (ectoplasmic specializations). J. Cell Sci. 113:2167-2176.

Beach, SF and Vogl, AW (1999) Spermatid Translocation in the Seminiferous Epithelium: Coupling Membrane Trafficking Machinery to a Junction Plaque. The Biology of Reproduction. 60:1036-1046.

Miller, MG, Mulholland, DJ and Vogl, AW (1999) Testis motor proteins associated with spermatid translocation (Dynein) and spermatid flagella (Kinesin-II). The Biology of Reproduction. 60: 1047-1056.

Wilson, JM, Kok, TWK, Randall, DJ, Vogl, AW and Ip, KY (1999) Fine structure of the gill epithelium of the terrestrial mudskipper,Periophthalmodon schlosseri. Cell & Tissue Research 298:345-356.

Emanuele, NV, Lapaglia, N, Vogl, W, Steiner, J, Kirsteins, L, and Emanuele, MA (1999) Impact and Reversibility of chronic ethanol feeding on the reproductive axis in the peripubertal male rat. Endocrine, 11(3): 277-284.

Guttman, J, Mulholland, DJ and Vogl, AW (1999) Plectin is concentrated at intercellular junctions and at the nuclear surface in morphologically differentiated rat Sertoli cells. Anatomical Record 254:418-428.

Wilson, JM, Randall, DJ, Vogl, AW and Iwama, GK (1997) Immunolocalization of proton-ATPase in the gills of the elasmobranch, Squalus acanthias. J. Exp. Zoology, 278: 78-86.

Vogl, AW (1996) A spacially dynamic intercellular adhesion junction is coupled to a microtuble-based motility system - Evidence from an in vitro binding assay. Cell Motility and the Cytoskeleton 34:1-12.

Vogl, AW, M Weis, DC Pfeiffer (1995) The perinuclear centriole-containing centresome is not the major microtubule organizing center in Sertoli cells. Eur. J. Cell Biol. 66: 165-179.

Hong Lin, DC Pfeiffer, AW Vogl, J Pan and DJ Randall (1994) Immunolocalization of proton-ATPase in the gill epithelia of rainbow trout. J. Expt. Biol. 195:169-183.

Pfeiffer, DC and AW Vogl (1994) Actin related intercellular junctions occur in the germinal compartment of the testis of the guppy Poecilia reticulata (Teleostei, Poeciliidae). Zoomorphology 114:177-184.

Pfeiffer, DC and AW Vogl (1993) Ectoplasmic ("junctional") specializations in Sertoli cells of the rooster and turtle: Evolutionary Implications. Anat. Rec. 235: 33-50.

Vogl, AW, K Genereux and DC Pfeiffer (1993) Filamentous actin detected in rat spermatozoa. Tissue and Cell 25: 33-48.

Gunn, T., DM Juriloff, W Vogl, MJ Harris and JG.Miller (1993) A histological study of the cranial neural folds of mice genetically liable to excencephaly. Teratology 48:459-471.

Pan, J, DC Pfeiffer, CL Reimer, BJ Crawford, AW Vogl and N Auersperg (1993) Antigen-antibody incompatibilities due to species differences are reduced by protease treatment of Western blots. Electrophoresis 14:892-898.

Redenbach, DM, K Boekelheide and AW Vogl (1992) Binding between mammalian spermatid ectoplasmic specializations and microtubules. Eur. J. Cell. Biol. 59: 433-448.

Pfeiffer, DC and AW Vogl (1992) Actin filaments associated with the basal Sertoli cell surface in the alligator and turtle. Tissue and Cell 24: 643-654.

Redenbach, DM and AW Vogl (1991) Microtubule polarity in Sertoli cells: A model for microtubule-based spermatid transport. Eur. J. Cell Biol. 54: 277-290.

Pfeiffer, DC and AW Vogl (1991) Evidence that vinculin is co-distributed with actin bundles in ectoplasmic (junctional) specializations of mammalian Sertoli cells. Anat. Rec. 231: 89-100.

Pfeiffer, DC and AW Vogl (1991) Evidence for the presence of actin associated intercellular adhesion junctions between interstitial cells of leydig in the ground squirrel testis. Anat. R. 230: 473-480.

Grove, BD, DC Pfeiffer, S Allen and AW Vogl (1990) Immunofluorescence localization of vinculin in ectoplasmic ("junctional") specializations of rat Sertoli cells. Am. J. Anat. 188:44-56.

Grove, BD and AW Vogl (1989) Sertoli cell ectoplasmic specializations: A type of Actin Associated Adhesion Junction. J. Cell Science 93:309-323.

Amlani, S and AW Vogl (1988) Changes in the distribution of Sertoli cell microtubules and intermediate filaments in mammalian Sertoli cells during spermatogenesis. Anat. Rec. 220:143-160.

Weinberg, J and AW Vogl (1988) The effects of ethanol consumption on morphology of the rat seminiferous epithelium. J. Andrology 9:261-269.

Russell, LD, JC Goh, RMA Rashed and AW Vogl (1988) The consequences of actin disruption at Sertoli ectoplasmic specializations sites facing spermatids after in vivo exposure of rat testis to cyochalasin D. Biol. Reprod. 39:105-118.

Vogl, AW (1988) Changes in microtubule distribution in rat Sertoli cells during spermatogenesis. Anat. Rec. 222: 34-41.

Suarez, RK, RW Brownsey, W Vogl, GS Brown and P Hochachka (1988) Biosynthetic capacity of hummingbird liver. Am. Phys. Soc. 255:R699-R702.

Masri, B, LD Russell, AW Vogl (1987) Distribution of Actin in Spermatids and Adjacent Sertoli Cell Regions of the Rat. Anat. Rec. 218:20-26.

Russell, LD, S Amlani, AW Vogl, JE Weber (1987) Characterization of filaments within Leydig Cells of the Rat Testis. Amer. J. Anat. 178:231-240.

Russell, LD, AW Vogl, JE Weber (1987) Actin Localization in Male Germ Cell Intercellular Bridges and the Disruption of Selected Bridges by Cytochalasin D. Amer. J. Anat. 180:25-40.

Moore, DM, AW Vogl, K Baimbridge, JT Emerman (1987) The effect of calcium on oxytocin-induced contraction of mammary gland myoepithelium as visualized by NBD-phallacidin. J. Cell. Science 88:563-569.

Russell, LD, JE Weber, AW Vogl. (1986).Characterization of filaments within the subacrosomal space of rat spermatids during spermiogenesis. Tissue and Cell 18(6):887-898.

Vogl, AW, Grove, BD, Lew, GJ (1986) Distribution of Actin in Sertoli Cell Ecto-plasmic Specializations and Associated Spermatids in the Ground Squirrel Testis. Anat. Rec. 215:331-341.

Emerman, JT, AW Vogl (1986) Cell Size and Shape Changes in the Myoepithelium of the Mammary Gland during Differentiation. Anat. Rec. 216:405-415.

Vogl, AW, Soucy, LJ, Foo, V (1985) Ultrastructure of Sertoli Cell Penetrating Processes Found in Germ Cells of the Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus lateralis), Am. J. Anat. 172(1):75-86.

Vogl, AW, Soucy, LJ (1985) Arrangement and Possible Function of Actin Filament Bundles in Ectoplasmic Specializations of Ground Squirrel Sertoli Cells. J. Cell Biol. 100:814-825.

Vogl, AW, Soucy, LJ, Lew, J (1985) Distribution of Actin in Isolated Seminiferous Epithelia and Denuded Tubule Walls of the Rat. Anat. Rec. 213:63-71.

Vogl, AW, Lin, YC, Dym, M, Fawcett, DW (1983) Sertoli Cells of the Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus lateralis): A Model System for the Study of Shape Change. Am. J. Anat. 168:83-98.

Vogl, AW, Linck, RW, Dym, M (1983) Colchicine-Induced Changes in the Cytoskeleton of the Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus lateralis) Sertoli Cells. Am. J. Anat. 168:99-108.

Vogl, AW, Fisher, HD (1982) Arterial Retia Related to Supply of the Central Nervous System in Two Small Toothed Whales, Narwhal (Monodon monoceros) and Beluga (Delphinapteus leucas). J. Morphology 174:41-56.

Vogl, AW, Todd, ME, Fisher, HD (1981) An Ultrastructural and Fluorescence Histo-chemical Investigation of the Innervation of Retial Arteries in Monodon monoceros", J. Morphology 168:109-120.

Vogl, AW, Fisher, HD (1981) The Internal Carotid Artery Does Not Directly Supply the Brain in the Monodontidae (Order Cetacea)", J. Morphology 170:207-214.

Vogl, AW, Fisher, HD (1981) Arterial Circulation of the Spinal Cord and Brain in the Monodontidae (Order Cetacea)", J. Morphology 170:171-180.

Vogl, AW, Fisher, HD (1976) Glycogen Pools in the Arterial Thoracic Retia of the Narwhals Monodon monoceros, and Their Possible Significance", Can. J. Zool. 54(3):425-429.

Vogl, AW, KS Vaid and JA Guttman. The Sertoli Cell Cytoskeleton. (2008) In: Molecular Mechanisms in Spermatogenesis. C. Yan Cheng edt. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, Vol. 636. Landes Bioscience/Austin, Texas pp. 186-211.

Guttman, JA, Vaid, KS and Vogl, AW (2007) Enrichment and disassembly of ectoplasmic specializations in the rat testis. Chapter 11 in: Molecular Motors, edt. Ann Sperry, Humana Press. Methods in Cell Biology 392:159-170.

Vogl, AW, DC Pfeiffer, D Mulholland, G Kimel and J Guttman (2000) Unique and Multifunctional adhesion junctions in the testis: Ectoplasmic Specializations. Archives of Histology and Cytology. Arch. Histol. Cytol. 63(1):1-15.

Vogl, AW, BD Grove, DC Pfeiffer and DM Redenbach (1993) The Sertoli cell cytoskeleton. In: The Sertoli Cell. LD Russell and MD Griswold, eds. Chapter III(C). Cache River Press pp. 39-86.

Vogl, A Wayne, David C Pfeiffer and Darlene M Redenbach (1991) Ectoplasmic ('Junctional') Specializations in Mammalian Sertoli cells: Influence on spermatogenic cells. Proceedings of the XIth North American Testis Workshop. Annals of The New York Academy of Sciences, Vol. 637 pp. 175-202.

Vogl, AW, DC Pfeiffer and DM Redenbach (1990-1991) Sertoli cell cytoskeleton: Influence on spermatogenic cells. In: Comparative Spermatology 20 Years After. Serona Symposia Publications from Raven Press. Vol. 75. Raven Press, New York, pp. 709-716.

Vogl, AW (1989) Distribution and function of organized concentrations of actin filaments in mammalian spermatogenic cells and Sertoli cells. Int. Rev. Cytol. 119:1-56.