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Yang L, Liao J, Huang H, Lee TL, Qi H. Stage-specific regulation of undifferentiated spermatogonia by AKT1S1-mediated AKT-mTORC1 signaling during mouse spermatogenesis. Dev Biol 2024; 509:11-27. [PMID: 38311163 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2024.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Undifferentiated spermatogonia are composed of a heterogeneous cell population including spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). Molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of various spermatogonial cohorts during their self-renewal and differentiation are largely unclear. Here we show that AKT1S1, an AKT substrate and inhibitor of mTORC1, regulates the homeostasis of undifferentiated spermatogonia. Although deletion of Akt1s1 in mouse appears not grossly affecting steady-state spermatogenesis and male mice are fertile, the subset of differentiation-primed OCT4+ spermatogonia decreased significantly, whereas self-renewing GFRα1+ and proliferating PLZF+ spermatogonia were sustained. Both neonatal prospermatogonia and the first wave spermatogenesis were greatly reduced in Akt1s1-/- mice. Further analyses suggest that OCT4+ spermatogonia in Akt1s1-/- mice possess altered PI3K/AKT-mTORC1 signaling, gene expression and carbohydrate metabolism, leading to their functionally compromised developmental potential. Collectively, these results revealed an important role of AKT1S1 in mediating the stage-specific signals that regulate the self-renewal and differentiation of spermatogonia during mouse spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lele Yang
- Center for Cell Lineage and Development, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China; GIBH-HKU Guangdong-Hong Kong Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China; GIBH-CUHK Joint Research Laboratory on Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China
| | - Jinyue Liao
- GIBH-CUHK Joint Research Laboratory on Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China; School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Hongying Huang
- The Experimental Animal Center, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China
| | - Tin Lap Lee
- GIBH-CUHK Joint Research Laboratory on Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China; School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Huayu Qi
- Center for Cell Lineage and Development, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China; GIBH-HKU Guangdong-Hong Kong Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China; GIBH-CUHK Joint Research Laboratory on Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China.
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2
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Verma S, Lin X, Coulson-Thomas VJ. The Potential Reversible Transition between Stem Cells and Transient-Amplifying Cells: The Limbal Epithelial Stem Cell Perspective. Cells 2024; 13:748. [PMID: 38727284 PMCID: PMC11083486 DOI: 10.3390/cells13090748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Stem cells (SCs) undergo asymmetric division, producing transit-amplifying cells (TACs) with increased proliferative potential that move into tissues and ultimately differentiate into a specialized cell type. Thus, TACs represent an intermediary state between stem cells and differentiated cells. In the cornea, a population of stem cells resides in the limbal region, named the limbal epithelial stem cells (LESCs). As LESCs proliferate, they generate TACs that move centripetally into the cornea and differentiate into corneal epithelial cells. Upon limbal injury, research suggests a population of progenitor-like cells that exists within the cornea can move centrifugally into the limbus, where they dedifferentiate into LESCs. Herein, we summarize recent advances made in understanding the mechanism that governs the differentiation of LESCs into TACs, and thereafter, into corneal epithelial cells. We also outline the evidence in support of the existence of progenitor-like cells in the cornea and whether TACs could represent a population of cells with progenitor-like capabilities within the cornea. Furthermore, to gain further insights into the dynamics of TACs in the cornea, we outline the most recent findings in other organ systems that support the hypothesis that TACs can dedifferentiate into SCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudhir Verma
- College of Optometry, University of Houston, 4901 Calhoun Road, Houston, TX 77204, USA;
- Deen Dayal Upadhyaya College, University of Delhi, Delhi 110078, India
| | - Xiao Lin
- College of Optometry, University of Houston, 4901 Calhoun Road, Houston, TX 77204, USA;
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3
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Song Y, Zhang X, Desmarais JA, Nagano M. Postnatal development of mouse spermatogonial stem cells as determined by immunophenotype, regenerative capacity, and long-term culture-initiating ability: a model for practical applications. Sci Rep 2024; 14:2299. [PMID: 38280889 PMCID: PMC10821885 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52824-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are the foundation of life-long spermatogenesis. While SSC research has advanced greatly over the past two decades, characterization of SSCs during postnatal development has not been well documented. Using the mouse as a model, in this study, we defined the immunophenotypic profiles of testis cells during the course of postnatal development using multi-parameter flow cytometry with up to five cell-surface antigens. We found that the profiles progress over time in a manner specific to developmental stages. We then isolated multiple cell fractions at different developmental stages using fluorescent-activated cell sorting (FACS) and identified specific cell populations with prominent capacities to regenerate spermatogenesis upon transplantation and to initiate long-term SSC culture. The data indicated that the cell fraction with the highest level of regeneration capacity exhibited the most prominent potential to initiate SSC culture, regardless of age. Interestingly, refinement of cell fractionation using GFRA1 and KIT did not lead to further enrichment of regenerative and culture-initiating stem cells, suggesting that when a high degree of SSC enrichment is achieved, standard markers of SSC self-renewal or commitment may lose their effectiveness to distinguish cells at the stem cell state from committed progenitors. This study provides a significant information resource for future studies and practical applications of mammalian SSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youngmin Song
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University, and the Child Health and Human Development Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Decarie Boulevard, Rm# EM0.2212, Montreal, QC, H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Xiangfan Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University, and the Child Health and Human Development Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Decarie Boulevard, Rm# EM0.2212, Montreal, QC, H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Joëlle A Desmarais
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University, and the Child Health and Human Development Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Decarie Boulevard, Rm# EM0.2212, Montreal, QC, H4A 3J1, Canada
- JEFO Nutrition Inc, 5020 Avenue Jefo, Saint-Hyachinthe, Quebec, J2R 2E7, Canada
| | - Makoto Nagano
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University, and the Child Health and Human Development Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Decarie Boulevard, Rm# EM0.2212, Montreal, QC, H4A 3J1, Canada.
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4
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Suen HC, Rao S, Luk ACS, Zhang R, Yang L, Qi H, So HC, Hobbs RM, Lee TL, Liao J. The single-cell chromatin accessibility landscape in mouse perinatal testis development. eLife 2023; 12:e75624. [PMID: 37096870 PMCID: PMC10174692 DOI: 10.7554/elife.75624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis depends on an orchestrated series of developing events in germ cells and full maturation of the somatic microenvironment. To date, the majority of efforts to study cellular heterogeneity in testis has been focused on single-cell gene expression rather than the chromatin landscape shaping gene expression. To advance our understanding of the regulatory programs underlying testicular cell types, we analyzed single-cell chromatin accessibility profiles in more than 25,000 cells from mouse developing testis. We showed that single-cell sequencing assay for transposase-accessible chromatin (scATAC-Seq) allowed us to deconvolve distinct cell populations and identify cis-regulatory elements (CREs) underlying cell-type specification. We identified sets of transcription factors associated with cell type-specific accessibility, revealing novel regulators of cell fate specification and maintenance. Pseudotime reconstruction revealed detailed regulatory dynamics coordinating the sequential developmental progressions of germ cells and somatic cells. This high-resolution dataset also unveiled previously unreported subpopulations within both the Sertoli and Leydig cell groups. Further, we defined candidate target cell types and genes of several genome-wide association study (GWAS) signals, including those associated with testosterone levels and coronary artery disease. Collectively, our data provide a blueprint of the 'regulon' of the mouse male germline and supporting somatic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoi Ching Suen
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, ShatinHong KongHong Kong
| | - Shitao Rao
- School of Medical Technology and Engineering, Fujian Medical UniversityFujianChina
- Cancer Biology and Experimental Therapeutics Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, ShatinHong KongChina
| | - Alfred Chun Shui Luk
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, ShatinHong KongHong Kong
| | - Ruoyu Zhang
- Cancer Biology and Experimental Therapeutics Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, ShatinHong KongChina
| | - Lele Yang
- Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Bioland Laboratory, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and HealthGuangzhouChina
| | - Huayu Qi
- Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Bioland Laboratory, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and HealthGuangzhouChina
| | - Hon Cheong So
- Cancer Biology and Experimental Therapeutics Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, ShatinHong KongChina
| | - Robin M Hobbs
- Germline Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical ResearchMelbourneAustralia
| | - Tin-lap Lee
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, ShatinHong KongHong Kong
| | - Jinyue Liao
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, ShatinHong KongHong Kong
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New TerritoriesHong KongChina
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5
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scATAC-Seq reveals heterogeneity associated with spermatogonial differentiation in cultured male germline stem cells. Sci Rep 2022; 12:21482. [PMID: 36509798 PMCID: PMC9744833 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-25729-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogonial stem cells are the most primitive spermatogonia in testis, which can self-renew to maintain the stem cell pool or differentiate to give rise to germ cells including haploid spermatids. All-trans-retinoic acid (RA), a bioactive metabolite of vitamin A, plays a fundamental role in initiating spermatogonial differentiation. In this study, single-cell ATAC-seq (scATAC-seq) was used to obtain genome-wide chromatin maps of cultured germline stem cells (GSCs) that were in control and RA-induced differentiation states. We showed that different subsets of GSCs can be distinguished based on chromatin accessibility of self-renewal and differentiation signature genes. Importantly, both progenitors and a subset of stem cells are able to respond to RA and give rise to differentiating cell subsets with distinct chromatin accessibility profiles. In this study, we identified regulatory regions that undergo chromatin remodeling and are associated with the retinoic signaling pathway. Moreover, we reconstructed the differentiation trajectory and identified novel transcription factor candidates enriched in different spermatogonia subsets. Collectively, our work provides a valuable resource for understanding the heterogeneity associated with differentiation and RA response in GSCs.
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Jiang J, Qiu T, Yang C, Yuan Y, Qin L, Zhang P. Atypical cell cycle profile of mouse embryonic stem cell is regulated by classic oncogenic and tumor suppressive genes in vitro. Heliyon 2022; 8:e11979. [PMID: 36578422 PMCID: PMC9791322 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) exhibit an unusual cell cycle profile containing a short G1 phase. Whether this feature is required to maintain pluripotency is a matter of debate. Here, we report that the short G1 phase is a consequence of MEK1/2 kinase-mediated promotion of G1/S transition, but not necessarily coupled with pluripotency maintenance. We find that compared to primed ESCs, naïve ESCs exhibit a significantly longer G1 phase due to the inhibition of MEK1/2 kinases. MEK1/2 inhibition increases intracellular level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to the stabilization of p53 protein. The genetic ablation of p53 largely converts the cell cycle profile of naïve ESCs to that of primed ESCs. These results demonstrate that pluripotency and proliferation are separable cellular events, and the short G1 phase of primed ESCs is a manifestation of the intricate interplay between classical oncogenes MEK1/2 and tumor suppressor gene TP53 to promote G1/S transition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinfeng Jiang
- Departments of Pediatrics and Obstetrics & Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, Center of Growth, Metabolism and Aging, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China,Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital
| | - Tong Qiu
- Departments of Pediatrics and Obstetrics & Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, Center of Growth, Metabolism and Aging, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China,Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital
| | - Chao Yang
- Departments of Pediatrics and Obstetrics & Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, Center of Growth, Metabolism and Aging, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China,Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital
| | - Yuan Yuan
- Division of Bioinformatics, Sichuan Cunde Therapeutics, Chengdu 610093, China
| | - Ling Qin
- Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College,Corresponding authors.
| | - Peixuan Zhang
- Departments of Pediatrics and Obstetrics & Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, Center of Growth, Metabolism and Aging, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China,Corresponding authors.
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7
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Parlar Köprülü RE, Okur ME, Kolbaşi B, Keskin İ, Ozbek H. Effects of Vincamine on Testicular Dysfunction in Alloxan-induced Diabetic Male Rats. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH : IJPR 2022; 21:e132265. [PMID: 36942057 PMCID: PMC10024332 DOI: 10.5812/ijpr-132265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Background Diabetes mellitus (DM) is frequently linked with problems of several organ systems, including retinopathy, neuropathy, and nephropathy. Additionally, patients have changes in sexual functioning, such as decreased libido and fertility. Vincamine, a monoterpenoid indole alkaloid, has hypoglycemic and antioxidant effects. Objectives This research assessed the impact of vincamine on testicular dysfunction in alloxan-induced male rats by measuring fasting blood glucose, oxidative stress, seminal analysis, and histological examination of the testis. Methods Wister-albino male rats were randomized into the following groups at random: Untreated-healthy, untreated-DM, vincamine-treated (20 mg/kg) DM, vincamine-treated (40 mg/kg) DM, and clomiphene-treated DM (5 mg/kg). On day 14, rats were sacrificed, and semen/blood samples were collected. Sperm count, motility, and morphological abnormalities were noted by microscopic examination. The testis was examined histopathologically and assessed using Johnsen's score. Results Compared with the untreated diabetic group, a dosage of 40 mg/kg vincamine generate a significant reduction in fasting blood sugar (FBG). Compared with the untreated diabetic group, the vincamine-treated rats produced greater plasma testosterone levels and Johnsen scores. In the vincamine 20 mg/kg group, sperm concentration was higher than in the vincamine 40 mg/kg group. Conclusions It is possible that vincamine has a potential preventive effect against diabetes-related reproductive problems attributable to its antioxidant activity and capacity to restore testicular steroidogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rabia Edibe Parlar Köprülü
- Department of Medical Pharmacology, Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey
- Corresponding Author: Department of Medical Pharmacology, Istanbul Medipol University, Kavacık, Göztepe Mah, Atatürk Cd. No:40, 34810 Beykoz/İstanbul, Turkey. Tel: +90-5395840201, Fax: +90-4448544,
| | - Mehmet Evren Okur
- Department of Medical Pharmacology, Istanbul Health Sciences University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Bircan Kolbaşi
- Department of Histology, Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - İlknur Keskin
- Department of Histology, Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Hanefi Ozbek
- Departmnet of Medical Pharmacology, Izmir Bakircay University, Izmir, Turkey
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8
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Ureña I, González C, Ramón M, Gòdia M, Clop A, Calvo JH, Carabaño MJ, Serrano M. Exploring the ovine sperm transcriptome by RNAseq techniques. I Effect of seasonal conditions on transcripts abundance. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0264978. [PMID: 35286314 PMCID: PMC8920283 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the cell molecular changes occurring as a results of climatic circumstances is crucial in the current days in which climate change and global warming are one of the most serious challenges that living organisms have to face. Sperm are one of the mammals’ cells most sensitive to heat, therefore evaluating the impact of seasonal changes in terms of its transcriptional activity can contribute to elucidate how these cells cope with heat stress events. We sequenced the total sperm RNA from 64 ejaculates, 28 collected in summer and 36 collected in autumn, from 40 Manchega rams. A highly rich transcriptome (11,896 different transcripts) with 90 protein coding genes that exceed an average number of 5000 counts were found. Comparing transcriptome in the summer and autumn ejaculates, 236 significant differential abundance genes were assessed, most of them (228) downregulated. The main functions that these genes are related to sexual reproduction and negative regulation of protein metabolic processes and kinase activity. Sperm response to heat stress supposes a drastic decrease of the transcriptional activity, and the upregulation of only a few genes related with the basic functions to maintain the organisms’ homeostasis and surviving. Rams’ spermatozoids carry remnant mRNAs which are retrospectively indicators of events occurring along the spermatogenesis process, including abiotic factors such as environmental temperature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Ureña
- Departamento de Mejora Genética Animal, CSIC-INIA, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen González
- Departamento de Mejora Genética Animal, CSIC-INIA, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Marta Gòdia
- Animal Genomics Group, Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG), CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Alex Clop
- Animal Genomics Group, Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG), CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Jorge H. Calvo
- Unidad de Tecnología en Producción Animal, CITA, Zaragoza, Spain
| | | | - Magdalena Serrano
- Departamento de Mejora Genética Animal, CSIC-INIA, Madrid, Spain
- * E-mail:
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9
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Niknejad P, Azizi H, Sojoudi K. POU5F1 Protein and Gene Expression Analysis in Neonate and Adult Mouse Testicular Germ Cells by Immunohistochemistry and Immunocytochemistry. Cell Reprogram 2021; 23:349-358. [PMID: 34788058 DOI: 10.1089/cell.2021.0108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
POU5F1 (POU class 5 homeobox 1) is a transcription factor that is critically involved in the self-renewal of undifferentiated embryonic stem cells. In this present study, we have developed our study to analyze the expression of the POU5F1 in the neonatal and adult mice testis section and isolated spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). We also examine POU5F1 protein localization by three various kinds of antibodies. In this experimental research, to enhance our understanding of the POU5F1 expression levels, protein localization, and function in testicular germ cell, we used immunohistochemistry, immunocytochemistry, and Fluidigm real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis in the mouse testis section and neonatal and adult SSCs, and also we used protein-protein network analysis and gene enrichment analysis for genes involved in testicular development. Counting POU5F1-positive cells represented significantly higher expression (p < 0.05) of POU5F1 in the adult testis in comparison to the neonate. Finally, Fluidigm RT-PCR showed a significant expression (p < 0.05) level of germ cells gene POU5F1 in neonate SSCs (1-2 week) than 16-24 week SSCs. The illustrated results identify POU5F1 as a necessary transcription factor of testicular germ cells and can be supportive for the investigation of the development and differentiation of SSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parisa Niknejad
- Faculty of Biotechnology, Amol University of Special Modern Technologies, Amol, Iran
| | - Hossein Azizi
- Faculty of Biotechnology, Amol University of Special Modern Technologies, Amol, Iran
| | - Kiana Sojoudi
- Faculty of Biotechnology, Amol University of Special Modern Technologies, Amol, Iran
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10
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Liu X, Wang H, Liu B, Qi Z, Li J, Xu B, Liu W, Xu Z, Deng Y. The Latest Research Progress of m 6A Modification and Its Writers, Erasers, Readers in Infertility: A Review. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:681238. [PMID: 34568313 PMCID: PMC8461070 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.681238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic messenger mRNAs contain many RNA methyl chemical modifications, in which N6-methyladenosine (m6A) plays a very important role. The modification process of RNA methylation is a dynamic reversible regulatory process that is mainly catalyzed by "Writer" m6A methyltransferase, removed by "Eraser" m6A demethylase, and recognized by the m6A binding protein, thereby, linking m6A modification with other mRNA pathways. At various stages of the life cycle, m6A modification plays an extremely important role in regulating mRNA splicing, processing, translation, as well as degradation, and is associated with gametogenesis and fertility for both sexes. Normal gametogenesis is a basic guarantee of fertility. Infertility leads to trauma, affects harmony in the family and seriously affects the quality of life. We review the roles and mechanisms of RNA m6A methylation modification in infertility and provide a potential target for infertility treatment, which can be used for drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuda Liu
- Department of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Haiying Wang
- Department of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Bingchen Liu
- Department of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhipeng Qi
- Department of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jiashuo Li
- Department of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Bin Xu
- Department of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhaofa Xu
- Department of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yu Deng
- Department of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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11
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Busulfan Suppresses Autophagy in Mouse Spermatogonial Progenitor Cells via mTOR of AKT and p53 Signaling Pathways. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2021; 16:1242-1255. [PMID: 32839922 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-020-10027-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In testis, a rare undifferentiated germ cell population with the capacity to regenerate robustly and support spermatogenesis, is defined as spermatogonial progenitor cells (SPCs) population. As a widely used drug for tumor therapy or bone marrow transplantation, busulfan has a severe side effect on SPCs population and causes a consequent infertility. Recently, accumulating evidence revealed the protective role of autophagy in stem cell maintenance under exogenous stress. To better understand the role of autophagy in SPCs fates, we investigated the potential function of autophagy in SPCs under busulfan stress, and found that treatment of busulfan induced the formation of autophagic vesicles and autophagosomes in mouse SPCs. Subsequently, a connection of autophagy and SPCs maintenance and survival was demonstrated in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, mTOR was identified as an essential factor for autophagy in SPCs with a complicated mechanism: (1) mTOR is phosphorylated by AKT to activate its target genes, p70s6 kinase, resulting in the inhibition of autophagy during short-term busulfan treatment. (2) mTOR mediates autophagy with p53 together, to regulate the fate of SPCs. Collectively, observations from this study indicate that moderate autophagy effectively protects SPCs from the stress of chemotherapy, which may provide an important hint for fertility protection in clinic.
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12
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Effect of Epidermal Growth Factor on the Colony-formation Ability of Porcine Spermatogonial Germ Cells. BIOTECHNOL BIOPROC E 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s12257-020-0372-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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13
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Modaline sulfate promotes Oct4 expression and maintains self-renewal and pluripotency of stem cells through JAK/STAT3 and Wnt signaling pathways. Cell Biosci 2021; 11:156. [PMID: 34348786 PMCID: PMC8336387 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-021-00669-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stem cells have been extensively explored for a variety of regenerative medical applications and they play an important role in clinical treatment of many diseases. However, the limited amount of stem cells and their tendency to undergo spontaneous differentiation upon extended propagation in vitro restrict their practical application. Octamer-binding transcription factor-4 (Oct4), a transcription factor belongs to the POU transcription factor family Class V, is fundamental for maintaining self-renewal ability and pluripotency of stem cells. METHODS In the present study, we used the previously constructed luciferase reporters driven by the promoter and 3'-UTR of Oct4 respectively to screen potential activators of Oct4. Colony formation assay, sphere-forming ability assay, alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity assay and teratoma-formation assay were used to assess the role of modaline sulfate (MDLS) in promoting self-renewal and reinforcing pluripotency of P19 cells. Immunofluorescence, RT-PCR, and western blotting were used to measure expression changes of stem-related genes and activation of related signaling pathways. RESULTS We screened 480 commercially available small-molecule compounds and discovered that MDLS greatly promoted the expression of Oct4 at both mRNA and protein levels. Moreover, MDLS significantly promoted the self-renewal capacity of P19 cells. Also, we observed that the expression of pluripotency markers and alkaline phosphatase (AP) increased significantly in MDLS-treated colonies. Furthermore, MDLS could promote teratoma formation and enhanced differentiation potential of P19 cells in vivo. In addition, we found that in the presence of LIF, MDLS could replace feeder cells to maintain the undifferentiated state of OG2-mES cells (Oct4-GFP reporter gene mouse embryonic stem cell line), and the MDLS-expanded OG2-mES cells showed an elevated expression levels of pluripotency markers in vitro. Finally, we found that MDLS promoted Oct4 expression by activating JAK/STAT3 and classic Wnt signaling pathways, and these effects were reversed by treatment with inhibitors of corresponding signaling pathways. CONCLUSIONS These findings demonstrated, for the first time, that MDLS could maintain self-renewal and pluripotency of stem cells.
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Mao GP, Niu MH, Cui YH, Tang RL, Chen W, Liu B, He Z. Characterization, isolation, and culture of spermatogonial stem cells in Macaca fascicularis. Asian J Androl 2021; 23:240-248. [PMID: 33533740 PMCID: PMC8152426 DOI: 10.4103/aja.aja_95_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) have great applications in both reproductive and regenerative medicine. Primates including monkeys are very similar to humans with regard to physiology and pathology. Nevertheless, little is known about the isolation, the characteristics, and the culture of primate SSCs. This study was designed to identify, isolate, and culture monkey SSCs. Immunocytochemistry was used to identify markers for monkey SSCs. Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor family receptor alpha-1 (GFRA1)-enriched spermatogonia were isolated from monkeys, namely Macaca fascicularis (M. fascicularis), by two-step enzymatic digestion and magnetic-activated cell sorting, and they were cultured on precoated plates in the conditioned medium. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), immunocytochemistry, and RNA sequencing were used to compare phenotype and transcriptomes in GFRA1-enriched spermatogonia between 0 day and 14 days of culture, and xenotransplantation was performed to evaluate the function of GFRA1-enriched spermatogonia. SSCs shared some phenotypes with rodent and human SSCs. GFRA1-enriched spermatogonia with high purity and viability were isolated from M. fascicularis testes. The freshly isolated cells expressed numerous markers for rodent SSCs, and they were cultured for 14 days. The expression of numerous SSC markers was maintained during the cultivation of GFRA1-enriched spermatogonia. RNA sequencing reflected a 97.3% similarity in global gene profiles between 0 day and 14 days of culture. The xenotransplantation assay indicated that the GFRA1-enriched spermatogonia formed colonies and proliferated in vivo in the recipient c-KitW/W (W) mutant mice. Collectively, GFRA1-enriched spermatogonia are monkey SSCs phenotypically both in vitro and in vivo. This study suggests that monkey might provide an alternative to human SSCs for basic research and application in human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guo-Ping Mao
- Renji-Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China
- The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Ming-Hui Niu
- Renji-Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Ying-Hong Cui
- The Key Laboratory of Model Animals and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University School of Medicine, Changsha 410013, China
| | - Rui-Ling Tang
- The Key Laboratory of Model Animals and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University School of Medicine, Changsha 410013, China
| | - Wei Chen
- The Key Laboratory of Model Animals and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University School of Medicine, Changsha 410013, China
| | - Bang Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Model Animals and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University School of Medicine, Changsha 410013, China
| | - Zuping He
- The Key Laboratory of Model Animals and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University School of Medicine, Changsha 410013, China
- Renji-Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China
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15
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Liu Y, He X, Wang Y, Zhou H, Zhang Y, Ma J, Wang Z, Yang F, Lu H, Yang Y, Deng Z, Qi X, Gong L, Ren J. Aristolochic acid I induces impairment in spermatogonial stem cell in rodents. Toxicol Res (Camb) 2021; 10:436-445. [PMID: 34141157 DOI: 10.1093/toxres/tfab038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Aristolochic acid I (AAI) is a natural bioactive substance found in plants from the Aristolochiaceae family and impairs spermatogenesis. However, whether AAI-induced spermatogenesis impairment starts at the early stages of spermatogenesis has not yet been determined. Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are undifferentiated spermatogonia that balance self-renewing and differentiating divisions to maintain spermatogenesis throughout adult life and are the only adult stem cells capable of passing genes onto the next generation. The objective of this study was to investigate whether AAI impairs SSCs during the early stages of spermatogenesis. After AAI treatment, we observed looser, smaller and fewer colonies, decreased cell viability, a decreased relative cell proliferation index, and increased apoptosis in SSCs in a concentration- and/or time-dependent manner. Additionally, AAI promoted apoptosis in SSCs, which was accompanied by upregulation of caspase 3, P53 and BAX expression and downregulation of Bcl-2 expression, and suppressed autophagy, which was accompanied by upregulation of P62 expression and downregulation of ATG5 and LC3B expression, in a concentration-dependent manner. Then we found that AAI impaired spermatogenesis in rats, as identified by degeneration of the seminiferous epithelium, and increased apoptosis of testicular cells. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that AAI causes damage to SSCs and implicate apoptosis and autophagy in this process. The impairment of SSCs may contribute to AAI-induced testicular impairment. Our findings provide crucial information for the human application of botanical products containing trace amounts of AAI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongzhen Liu
- Center for Drug Safety Evaluation and Research, Innovation Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 Cailun Road, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 201203, China.,Center for Drug Safety Evaluation and Research, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xiang He
- Laboratory of Immunology and Virology, Experiment Center for Science and Technology, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 Cailun Road, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yuli Wang
- Center for Drug Safety Evaluation and Research, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Houzu Zhou
- Center for Drug Safety Evaluation and Research, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- Center for Drug Safety Evaluation and Research, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jianyun Ma
- Center for Drug Safety Evaluation and Research, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Zhaochu Wang
- Center for Drug Safety Evaluation and Research, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Fangfang Yang
- Center for Drug Safety Evaluation and Research, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Henglei Lu
- Center for Drug Safety Evaluation and Research, Innovation Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 Cailun Road, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 201203, China.,Center for Drug Safety Evaluation and Research, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yifu Yang
- Laboratory of Immunology and Virology, Experiment Center for Science and Technology, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 Cailun Road, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Zhongping Deng
- Center for Drug Safety Evaluation and Research, Innovation Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 Cailun Road, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xinming Qi
- Center for Drug Safety Evaluation and Research, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Likun Gong
- Center for Drug Safety Evaluation and Research, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 201203, China.,Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Institutes of Drug Discovery and Development, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Building A, SSIP Healthcare and Medicine Demonstration Zone, Zhongshan Tsuihang New District, Guangdong 528400, China
| | - Jin Ren
- Center for Drug Safety Evaluation and Research, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 201203, China
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16
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Nakamura Y, Jörg DJ, Kon Y, Simons BD, Yoshida S. Transient suppression of transplanted spermatogonial stem cell differentiation restores fertility in mice. Cell Stem Cell 2021; 28:1443-1456.e7. [PMID: 33848470 PMCID: PMC8351876 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2021.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
A remarkable feature of tissue stem cells is their ability to regenerate the structure and function of host tissue following transplantation. However, the dynamics of donor stem cells during regeneration remains largely unknown. Here we conducted quantitative clonal fate studies of transplanted mouse spermatogonial stem cells in host seminiferous tubules. We found that, after a large population of donor spermatogonia settle in host testes, through stochastic fate choice, only a small fraction persist and regenerate over the long term, and the rest are lost through differentiation and cell death. Further, based on these insights, we showed how repopulation efficiency can be increased to a level where the fertility of infertile hosts is restored by transiently suppressing differentiation using a chemical inhibitor of retinoic acid synthesis. These findings unlock a range of potential applications of spermatogonial transplantation, from fertility restoration in individuals with cancer to conservation of biological diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiaki Nakamura
- Division of Germ Cell Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Higashiyama 5-1, Myodaiji, Okazaki 444-8787, Japan; Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, 1-4-4 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8528, Japan; Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, 5-3-1 Kojimachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0083, Japan
| | - David J Jörg
- Wellcome Trust-Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QN, UK; Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK
| | - Yayoi Kon
- Division of Germ Cell Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Higashiyama 5-1, Myodaiji, Okazaki 444-8787, Japan
| | - Benjamin D Simons
- Wellcome Trust-Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QN, UK; Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, Centre for Mathematical Sciences, University of Cambridge, Wilberforce Road, Cambridge CB3 0WA, UK; Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QR, UK.
| | - Shosei Yoshida
- Division of Germ Cell Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Higashiyama 5-1, Myodaiji, Okazaki 444-8787, Japan; Department of Basic Biology, School of Life Science, Graduate University for Advanced Studies (Sokendai), Okazaki 444-8787, Japan.
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17
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Ruthig VA, Yokonishi T, Friedersdorf MB, Batchvarova S, Hardy J, Garness JA, Keene JD, Capel B. A transgenic DND1GFP fusion allele reports in vivo expression and RNA-binding targets in undifferentiated mouse germ cells†. Biol Reprod 2021; 104:861-874. [PMID: 33394034 PMCID: PMC8324984 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
In vertebrates, the RNA-binding protein (RBP) dead end 1 (DND1) is essential for primordial germ cell (PGC) survival and maintenance of cell identity. In multiple species, Dnd1 loss or mutation leads to severe PGC loss soon after specification or, in some species, germ cell transformation to somatic lineages. Our investigations into the role of DND1 in PGC specification and differentiation have been limited by the absence of an available antibody. To address this problem, we used CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing to establish a transgenic mouse line carrying a DND1GFP fusion allele. We present imaging analysis of DND1GFP expression showing that DND1GFP expression is heterogeneous among male germ cells (MGCs) and female germ cells (FGCs). DND1GFP was detected in MGCs throughout fetal life but lost from FGCs at meiotic entry. In postnatal and adult testes, DND1GFP expression correlated with classic markers for the premeiotic spermatogonial population. Utilizing the GFP tag for RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) analysis in MGCs validated this transgenic as a tool for identifying in vivo transcript targets of DND1. The DND1GFP mouse line is a novel tool for isolation and analysis of embryonic and fetal germ cells, and the spermatogonial population of the postnatal and adult testis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor A Ruthig
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Matthew B Friedersdorf
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Sofia Batchvarova
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Josiah Hardy
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Jason A Garness
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Jack D Keene
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Blanche Capel
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
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18
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Application of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) improves self-renewal of human spermatogonial stem cells in two-dimensional and three-dimensional culture systems. Acta Histochem 2020; 122:151627. [PMID: 33002788 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2020.151627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are very sensitive to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, so male infertility is a great challenge for prepubertal cancer survivors. Cryoconservation of testicular cells before cancer treatment can preserve SSCs from treatment side effects. Different two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) culture systems of SSCs have been used in many species as a useful technique to in vitro spermatogenesis. We evaluated the proliferation of SSCs in 2D and 3D culture systems of platelet-rich plasma (PRP). testicular cells of four brain-dead patients cultivated in 2D pre-culture system, characterization of SSCs performed by RT-PCR, flow cytometry, immunocytochemistry and their functionality assessed by xenotransplantation to azoospermia mice. PRP prepared and dosimetry carried out to determine the optimized dose of PRP. After preparation of PRP scaffold, cytotoxic and histological evaluation performed and SSCs cultivated into three groups: control, 2D culture by optimized dose of PRP and PRP scaffold. The diameter and number of colonies measured and relative expression of GFRa1 and c-KIT evaluated by real-time PCR. Results indicated the expression of PLZF, VASA, OCT4, GFRa1 and vimentin in colonies after 2D pre-culture, xenotransplantation demonstrated proliferated SSCs have proper functionality to homing in mouse testes. The relative expression of c-KIT showed a significant increase as compared to the control group (*: p < 0.05) in PRP- 2D group, expression of GFRa1 and c-KIT in PRP scaffold group revealed a significant increase as compared to other groups (***: p < 0.001). The number and diameter of colonies in the PRP-2D group showed a considerable increase (p < 0.01) as compared to the control group. In PRP- scaffold group, a significant increase (p < 0.01) was seen only in the number of colonies related to the control group. Our results suggested that PRP scaffold can reconstruct a suitable structure to the in vitro proliferation of SSCs.
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19
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Yoshida S. Mouse Spermatogenesis Reflects the Unity and Diversity of Tissue Stem Cell Niche Systems. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2020; 12:cshperspect.a036186. [PMID: 32152184 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a036186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Mouse spermatogenesis is supported by spermatogenic stem cells (SSCs). SSCs maintain their pool while migrating over an open (or facultative) niche microenvironment of testicular seminiferous tubules, where ligands that support self-renewal are likely distributed widely. This contrasts with the classic picture of closed (or definitive) niches in which stem cells are gathered and the ligands are highly localized. Some of the key properties observed in the dynamics of SSCs in the testicular niche in vivo, which show the flexible and stochastic (probabilistic) fate behaviors, are found to be generic for a wide range of, if not all, tissue stem cells. SSCs also show properties characteristic of an open niche-supported system, such as high motility. Motivated by the properties of SSCs, in this review, I will reconsider the potential unity and diversity of tissue stem cell systems, with an emphasis on the varying degrees of ligand distribution and stem cell motility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shosei Yoshida
- Division of Germ Cell Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences; and Department of Basic Biology, School of Life Science, SOKENDAI (Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Okazaki, Aichi 444-8787, Japan
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20
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Gul M, Hildorf S, Dong L, Thorup J, Hoffmann ER, Jensen CFS, Sønksen J, Cortes D, Fedder J, Andersen CY, Goossens E. Review of injection techniques for spermatogonial stem cell transplantation. Hum Reprod Update 2020; 26:368-391. [PMID: 32163572 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmaa003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although the prognosis of childhood cancer survivors has increased dramatically during recent years, chemotherapy and radiation treatments for cancer and other conditions may lead to permanent infertility in prepubertal boys. Recent developments have shown that spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) transplantation may be a hope for restoring fertility in adult survivors of childhood cancers. For this reason, several centres around the world are collecting and cryopreserving testicular tissue or cells anticipating that, in the near future, some patients will return for SSC transplantation. This review summarizes the current knowledge and utility of SSC transplantation techniques. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE The aim of this narrative review is to provide an overview of the currently used experimental injection techniques for SSC transplantation in animal and human testes. This is crucial in understanding and determining the role of the different techniques necessary for successful transplantation. SEARCH METHODS A comprehensive review of peer-reviewed publications on this topic was performed using the PubMed and Google Scholar databases. The search was limited to English language work and studies between 1994 (from the first study on SSC transplantation) and April 2019. Key search terms included mouse, rat, boar, ram, dog, sheep, goat, cattle, monkey, human, cadaver, testes, SSC transplantation, injection and technique. OUTCOMES This review provides an extensive clinical overview of the current research in the field of human SSC transplantation. Rete testis injection with ultrasonography guidance currently seems the most promising injection technique thus far; however, the ability to draw clear conclusions is limited due to long ischemia time of cadaver testis, the relatively decreased volume of the testis, the diminishing size of seminiferous tubules, a lack of intratesticular pressure and leakage into the interstitium during the injection on human cadaver testis. Current evidence does not support improved outcomes from multiple infusions through the rete testes. Overall, further optimization is required to increase the efficiency and safety of the infusion method. WIDER IMPLICATIONS Identifying a favourable injection method for SSC transplantation will provide insight into the mechanisms of successful assisted human reproduction. Future research could focus on reducing leakage and establishing the optimal infusion cell concentrations and pressure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murat Gul
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Urology, Selcuk University School of Medicine, 42250 Konya, Turkey
| | - Simone Hildorf
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lihua Dong
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jorgen Thorup
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Eva R Hoffmann
- DNRF Center for Chromosome Stability, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Jens Sønksen
- Department of Urology, Herlev and Gentofte University Hospital, 2930 Herlev, Denmark.,Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Dina Cortes
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Pediatrics, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, 2650 Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Jens Fedder
- Centre of Andrology & Fertility Clinic, Department D, Odense University Hospital, 5000 Odense, Denmark.,Research Unit of Human Reproduction, Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
| | - Claus Yding Andersen
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.,Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ellen Goossens
- Biology of the Testis, Research Laboratory for Reproduction, Genetics and Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1090 Brussels, Belgium
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21
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Zhou S, Feng S, Qin W, Wang X, Tang Y, Yuan S. Epigenetic Regulation of Spermatogonial Stem Cell Homeostasis: From DNA Methylation to Histone Modification. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2020; 17:562-580. [PMID: 32939648 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-020-10044-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Spermatogonial stem cells(SSCs)are the ultimate germline stem cells with the potential of self-renewal and differentiation, and a dynamic balance of SSCs play an essential role in spermatogenesis. During the gene expression process, genomic DNA and nuclear protein, working together, contribute to SSC homeostasis. Recently, emerging studies have shown that epigenome-related molecules such as chromatin modifiers play an important role in SSC homeostasis through regulating target gene expression. Here, we focus on two types of epigenetic events, including DNA methylation and histone modification, and summarize their function in SSC homeostasis. Understanding the molecular mechanism during SSC homeostasis will promote the recognition of epigenetic biomarkers in male infertility, and bring light into therapies of infertile patients.Graphical Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shumin Zhou
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430030, Wuhan, China
| | - Shenglei Feng
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430030, Wuhan, China
| | - Weibing Qin
- NHC Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, Family Planning Research Institute of Guangdong Province, 510500, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoli Wang
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430030, Wuhan, China
| | - Yunge Tang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, Family Planning Research Institute of Guangdong Province, 510500, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Shuiqiao Yuan
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430030, Wuhan, China. .,Shenzhen Huazhong University of Science and Technology Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518057, China.
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22
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Tang RL, Fan LQ. PLZF posc-KIT pos-delineated A 1-A 4-differentiating spermatogonia by subset and stage detection upon Bouin fixation. Asian J Androl 2020; 21:309-318. [PMID: 30719983 PMCID: PMC6498726 DOI: 10.4103/aja.aja_103_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
While hallmarks of rodent spermatogonia stem cell biomarkers' heterogeneity have recently been identified, their stage and subset distributions remain unclear. Furthermore, it is currently difficult to accurately identify subset-specific SSC marker distributions due to the poor nuclear morphological characteristics associated with fixation in 4% paraformaldehyde. In the present study, testicular cross-sections and whole-mount samples were Bouin fixed to optimize nuclear resolution and visualized by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and immunofluorescence (IF). The results identified an expression pattern of PLZFhighc-KITpos in A1 spermatogonia, while A2-A4-differentiating spermatogonia were PLZFlowc-KITpos. Additionally, this procedure was used to examine asymmetrically expressing GFRA1 and PLZF clones, asymmetric Apr and false clones were distinguished based on the presence or absence of TEX14, a molecular maker of intercellular bridges, despite having identical nuclear morphology and intercellular distances that were <25 μm. In conclusion, this optimized Bouin fixation procedure facilitates the accurate identification of spermatogonium subsets based on their molecular profiles and is capable of distinguishing asymmetric and false clones. Therefore, the findings presented herein will facilitate further morphological and functional analysis studies and provide further insight into spermatogonium subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui-Ling Tang
- Institute of Reproduction and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine Science, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Li-Qing Fan
- Institute of Reproduction and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine Science, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
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23
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Live-cell imaging and ultrastructural analysis reveal remarkable features of cultured porcine gonocytes. Cell Tissue Res 2020; 381:361-377. [PMID: 32388763 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-020-03218-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Gonocytes in the neonatal testis have male germline stem cell potential. The objective of the present study was to examine the behavior and ultrastructure of gonocytes in culture. Neonatal porcine testis cells were cultured for 4 weeks and underwent live-cell imaging to explore real-time interactions among cultured cells. This included imaging every 1 h from day 0 to day 3, every 2 h from day 4 to day 7, and every 1 h for 24 h at days 14, 21, and 28. Samples also underwent scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, morphometric evaluations, immunofluorescence, and RT-PCR. Live-cell imaging revealed an active amoeboid-like movement of gonocytes, assisted by the formation of extensive cytoplasmic projections, which, using scanning electron microscopy, were categorized into spike-like filopodia, leaf-like lamellipodia, membrane ruffles, and cytoplasmic blebs. In the first week of culture, gonocytes formed loose attachments on top of a somatic cell monolayer and, in week 2, formed grape-like clusters, which, over time, grew in cell number. Starting at week 3 of culture, some of the gonocyte clusters transformed into large multinucleated embryoid body-like colonies (EBLCs) that expressed both gonocyte- and pluripotent-specific markers. The number and diameter of individual gonocytes, the number and density of organelles within gonocytes, as well as the number and diameter of the EBLCs increased over time (P < 0.05). In conclusion, cultured porcine gonocytes displayed extensive migratory behavior facilitated by their various cytoplasmic projections, propagated, and transformed into EBLCs that increased in size and complexity over time.
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24
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Ethyl-p-methoxycinnamate enhances oct4 expression and reinforces pluripotency through the NF-κB signaling pathway. Biochem Pharmacol 2020; 177:113984. [PMID: 32311348 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.113984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Pluripotent stem cells are have therapeutic applications in regenerative medicine and drug discovery. However, the differentiation of stem cells in vitro hinders their large-scale production and clinical applications. The maintenance of cell pluripotency relies on a complex network of transcription factors; of these, octamer-binding transcription factor-4 (Oct4) plays a key role. This study aimed to construct an Oct4 gene promoter-driven firefly luciferase reporter and screen small-molecule compounds could maintain cell self-renewal and pluripotency. The results showed that ethyl-p-methoxycinnamate (EPMC) enhance the promoter activity of the Oct4 gene, increased the expression of Oct4 at both mRNA and protein levels, and significantly promoted the colony formation of P19 cells. These findings suggesting that EPMC could reinforce the self-renewal capacity of P19 cells. The pluripotency markers Oct4, SRY-related high-mobility-group-box protein-2, and Nanog were expressed at higher levels in EPMC-induced colonies. EPMC could promote teratoma formation and differentiation potential of P19 cells in vivo. It also enhanced self-renewal and pluripotency of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells and mouse embryonic stem cells. Moreover, it significantly activated the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway via the myeloid differentiation factor 88-dependent pathway. The expression level of Oct4 decreased after blocking the NF-κB signaling pathway, suggesting that EPMC promoted the expression of Oct4 partially through the NF-κB signaling pathway. This study indicated that EPMC could maintain self-renewal and pluripotency of stem cells.
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25
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Singh P, Patel RK, Palmer N, Grenier JK, Paduch D, Kaldis P, Grimson A, Schimenti JC. CDK2 kinase activity is a regulator of male germ cell fate. Development 2019; 146:dev180273. [PMID: 31582414 PMCID: PMC6857589 DOI: 10.1242/dev.180273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 09/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The ability of men to remain fertile throughout their lives depends upon establishment of a spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) pool from gonocyte progenitors, and thereafter balancing SSC renewal versus terminal differentiation. Here, we report that precise regulation of the cell cycle is crucial for this balance. Whereas cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (Cdk2) is not necessary for mouse viability or gametogenesis stages prior to meiotic prophase I, mice bearing a deregulated allele (Cdk2Y15S ) are severely deficient in spermatogonial differentiation. This allele disrupts an inhibitory phosphorylation site (Tyr15) for the kinase WEE1. Remarkably, Cdk2Y15S/Y15S mice possess abnormal clusters of mitotically active SSC-like cells, but these are eventually removed by apoptosis after failing to differentiate properly. Analyses of lineage markers, germ cell proliferation over time, and single cell RNA-seq data revealed delayed and defective differentiation of gonocytes into SSCs. Biochemical and genetic data demonstrated that Cdk2Y15S is a gain-of-function allele causing elevated kinase activity, which underlies these differentiation defects. Our results demonstrate that precise regulation of CDK2 kinase activity in male germ cell development is crucial for the gonocyte-to-spermatogonia transition and long-term spermatogenic homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priti Singh
- Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Ravi K Patel
- Cornell University, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Nathan Palmer
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), Singapore 138673
- Department of Biochemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Republic of Singapore
| | - Jennifer K Grenier
- Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Darius Paduch
- Cornell University, Weill Cornell Medicine, Department of Urology, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Philipp Kaldis
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), Singapore 138673
- Department of Biochemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Republic of Singapore
| | - Andrew Grimson
- Cornell University, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - John C Schimenti
- Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
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26
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Suen HC, Qian Y, Liao J, Luk CS, Lee WT, Ng JKW, Chan TTH, Hou HW, Li I, Li K, Chan WY, Feng B, Gao L, Jiang X, Liu YH, Rudd JA, Hobbs R, Qi H, Ng TK, Mak HK, Leung KS, Lee TL. Transplantation of Retinal Ganglion Cells Derived from Male Germline Stem Cell as a Potential Treatment to Glaucoma. Stem Cells Dev 2019; 28:1365-1375. [PMID: 31580778 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2019.0060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Glaucoma is characterized by retinal ganglion cell (RGC) degeneration and is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide. However, current treatments such as eye drop or surgery have limitations and do not target the loss of RGC. Regenerative therapy using embryonic stem cells (ESCs) holds a promising option, but ethical concern hinders clinical applications on human subjects. In this study, we employed spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) as an alternative source of ESCs for cell-based regenerative therapy in mouse glaucoma model. We generated functional RGCs from SSCs with a two-step protocol without applying viral transfection or chemical induction. SSCs were first dedifferentiated to embryonic stem-like cells (SSC-ESCs) that resemble ESCs in morphology, gene expression signatures, and stem cell properties. The SSC-ESCs then differentiated toward retinal lineages. We showed SSC-ESC-derived retinal cells expressed RGC-specific marker Brn3b and functioned as bona fide RGCs. To allow in vivo RGC tracing, Brn3b-EGFP reporter SSC-ESCs were generated and the derived RGCs were subsequently transplanted into the retina of glaucoma mouse models by intravitreal injection. We demonstrated that the transplanted RGCs could survive in host retina for at least 10 days after transplantation. SSC-ESC-derived RGCs can thus potentially be a novel alternative to replace the damaged RGCs in glaucomatous retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoi Ching Suen
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yan Qian
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jinyue Liao
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chun Shui Luk
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Wing Tung Lee
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Judy Kin Wing Ng
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Thomas Ting Hei Chan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Hei Wan Hou
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ingrid Li
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Kit Li
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Wai-Yee Chan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Bo Feng
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Lin Gao
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xiaohua Jiang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yuen Hang Liu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - John A Rudd
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Robin Hobbs
- Aust Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Huayu Qi
- Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tsz Kin Ng
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Heather Kayew Mak
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Kai Shun Leung
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Tin-Lap Lee
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
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27
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Divergent Roles of CYP26B1 and Endogenous Retinoic Acid in Mouse Fetal Gonads. Biomolecules 2019; 9:biom9100536. [PMID: 31561560 PMCID: PMC6843241 DOI: 10.3390/biom9100536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Revised: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In female mammals, germ cells enter meiosis in the fetal ovaries, while in males, meiosis is prevented until postnatal development. Retinoic acid (RA) is considered the main inducer of meiotic entry, as it stimulates Stra8 which is required for the mitotic/meiotic switch. In fetal testes, the RA-degrading enzyme CYP26B1 prevents meiosis initiation. However, the role of endogenous RA in female meiosis entry has never been demonstrated in vivo. In this study, we demonstrate that some effects of RA in mouse fetal gonads are not recapitulated by the invalidation or up-regulation of CYP26B1. In organ culture of fetal testes, RA stimulates testosterone production and inhibits Sertoli cell proliferation. In the ovaries, short-term inhibition of RA-signaling does not decrease Stra8 expression. We develop a gain-of-function model to express CYP26A1 or CYP26B1. Only CYP26B1 fully prevents STRA8 induction in female germ cells, confirming its role as part of the meiotic prevention machinery. CYP26A1, a very potent RA degrading enzyme, does not impair the formation of STRA8-positive cells, but decreases Stra8 transcription. Collectively, our data reveal that CYP26B1 has other activities apart from metabolizing RA in fetal gonads and suggest a role of endogenous RA in amplifying Stra8, rather than being the initial inducer of Stra8. These findings should reactivate the quest to identify meiotic preventing or inducing substances.
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28
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Kubota H, Brinster RL. Spermatogonial stem cells. Biol Reprod 2019; 99:52-74. [PMID: 29617903 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioy077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2017] [Accepted: 03/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are the most primitive spermatogonia in the testis and have an essential role to maintain highly productive spermatogenesis by self-renewal and continuous generation of daughter spermatogonia that differentiate into spermatozoa, transmitting genetic information to the next generation. Since the 1950s, many experimental methods, including histology, immunostaining, whole-mount analyses, and pulse-chase labeling, had been used in attempts to identify SSCs, but without success. In 1994, a spermatogonial transplantation method was reported that established a quantitative functional assay to identify SSCs by evaluating their ability to both self-renew and differentiate to spermatozoa. The system was originally developed using mice and subsequently extended to nonrodents, including domestic animals and humans. Availability of the functional assay for SSCs has made it possible to develop culture systems for their ex vivo expansion, which dramatically advanced germ cell biology and allowed medical and agricultural applications. In coming years, SSCs will be increasingly used to understand their regulation, as well as in germline modification, including gene correction, enhancement of male fertility, and conversion of somatic cells to biologically competent male germline cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Kubota
- Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology, Department of Animal Science, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Towada, Aomori, Japan
| | - Ralph L Brinster
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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29
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Park HJ, Lee WY, Park C, Hong K, Song H. CD14 is a unique membrane marker of porcine spermatogonial stem cells, regulating their differentiation. Sci Rep 2019; 9:9980. [PMID: 31292454 PMCID: PMC6620343 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-46000-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Molecular markers of spermatogonia are necessary for studies on spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) and improving our understanding of molecular and cellular biology of spermatogenesis. Although studies of germ cell surface marker have been extensively conducted in the testes of rodents, these markers have not been well studied in domestic animals. We aimed to determine the expression pattern of cluster of differentiation 14 (CD14) in developing porcine testes and cultured porcine SSCs (pSSCs), as well as its role in pSSC colony formation. Interestingly, expression of CD14 was observed in porcine testes with PGP9.5-positive undifferentiated spermatogonia at all developmental stages. In addition, in vitro cultured pSSCs expressed CD14 and showed successful colony formation, as determined by fluorescence-activated cell sorting and flow cytometry. PKH26 dye-stained CD14-positive cells transplants were performed into the testes of recipient mice, which were depleted of both testicular germ and somatic cells from immunodeficiency mice and were shown to colonise the recipient testes. Moreover, a colony-forming assay showed that the development of pSSC colonies was disrupted by a high concentration of lipopolysaccharide. These studies indicated that CD14 is surface marker of early spermatogonia in developing porcine testes and in pSSCs, suggesting a role for CD14 in porcine spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun-Jung Park
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Technology, KIT, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdongro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Won-Young Lee
- Department of Beef Science, Korea National College of Agricultures and Fisheries, Jeonju-si, Jeonbuk, 54874, Republic of Korea
| | - Chankyu Park
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Technology, KIT, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdongro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwonho Hong
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Technology, KIT, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdongro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyuk Song
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Technology, KIT, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdongro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea.
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30
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Kubota H. Heterogeneity of Spermatogonial Stem Cells. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1169:225-242. [PMID: 31487027 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-24108-7_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Germ cells transfer genetic materials from one generation to the next, which ensures the continuation of the species. Spermatogenesis, the process of male germ cell production, is one of the most productive systems in adult tissues. This high productivity depends on the well-coordinated differentiation cascade in spermatogonia, occurring via their synchronized cell division and proliferation. Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are responsible for maintaining the spermatogonial population via self-renewal and the continuous generation of committed progenitor cells that differentiate into spermatozoa. Like other stem cells in the body, SSCs are defined by their self-renewal and differentiation abilities. A functional transplantation assay, in which these biological properties of SSCs can be quantitatively evaluated, was developed using mice, and the cell surface characteristics and intracellular marker gene expression of murine SSCs were successfully determined. Another approach to elucidate SSC identity is a cell lineage-tracing experiment using transgenic mice, which can track the SSC behavior in the testes. Recent studies using both these experimental approaches have revealed that the SSC identity changed depending upon the developmental, homeostatic, and regenerative circumstances. In addition, single-cell transcriptomic analyses have further indicated the instability of marker gene expression in SSCs. More studies are needed to unify the results of the determination of SSC identity based on the functional properties and accumulating transcriptomic data of SSCs, to elucidate the functional interaction between SSC behavior and gene products and illustrate the conserved features of SSCs amidst their heterogeneity. Furthermore, the deterministic roles of distinct SSC niches under different physiological conditions in the SSC heterogeneity and its causal regulators must also be clarified in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Kubota
- Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology, Department of Animal Science, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Towada, Aomori, 034-8628, Japan.
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31
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Tomizawa SI, Kobayashi Y, Shirakawa T, Watanabe K, Mizoguchi K, Hoshi I, Nakajima K, Nakabayashi J, Singh S, Dahl A, Alexopoulou D, Seki M, Suzuki Y, Royo H, Peters AHFM, Anastassiadis K, Stewart AF, Ohbo K. Kmt2b conveys monovalent and bivalent H3K4me3 in mouse spermatogonial stem cells at germline and embryonic promoters. Development 2018; 145:145/23/dev169102. [PMID: 30504434 DOI: 10.1242/dev.169102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The mammalian male germline is sustained by a pool of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) that can transmit both genetic and epigenetic information to offspring. However, the mechanisms underlying epigenetic transmission remain unclear. The histone methyltransferase Kmt2b is highly expressed in SSCs and is required for the SSC-to-progenitor transition. At the stem-cell stage, Kmt2b catalyzes H3K4me3 at bivalent H3K27me3-marked promoters as well as at promoters of a new class of genes lacking H3K27me3, which we call monovalent. Monovalent genes are mainly activated in late spermatogenesis, whereas most bivalent genes are mainly not expressed until embryonic development. These data suggest that SSCs are epigenetically primed by Kmt2b in two distinguishable ways for the upregulation of gene expression both during the spermatogenic program and through the male germline into the embryo. Because Kmt2b is also the major H3K4 methyltransferase for bivalent promoters in embryonic stem cells, we also propose that Kmt2b has the capacity to prime stem cells epigenetically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shin-Ichi Tomizawa
- Department of Histology and Cell Biology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Yuki Kobayashi
- Department of Histology and Cell Biology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Takayuki Shirakawa
- Department of Histology and Cell Biology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Kumiko Watanabe
- Department of Histology and Cell Biology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Keita Mizoguchi
- Department of Histology and Cell Biology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Ikue Hoshi
- Department of Histology and Cell Biology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Kuniko Nakajima
- Department of Histology and Cell Biology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Jun Nakabayashi
- Bioinformatics Laboratory, Advanced Medical Research Center, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Sukhdeep Singh
- Biotechnology Center, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, Tatzberg 47-51, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Andreas Dahl
- Genome Center, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, Tatzberg 47-51, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Dimitra Alexopoulou
- Genome Center, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, Tatzberg 47-51, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Masahide Seki
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Chiba 277-8562, Japan
| | - Yutaka Suzuki
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Chiba 277-8562, Japan
| | - Hélène Royo
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, 4058 Basel, Switzerland.,Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Antoine H F M Peters
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, 4058 Basel, Switzerland.,Faculty of Sciences, University of Basel, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Konstantinos Anastassiadis
- Biotechnology Center, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, Tatzberg 47-51, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - A Francis Stewart
- Biotechnology Center, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, Tatzberg 47-51, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Kazuyuki Ohbo
- Department of Histology and Cell Biology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
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32
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Lin Z, Tong MH. m 6A mRNA modification regulates mammalian spermatogenesis. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2018; 1862:403-411. [PMID: 30391644 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2018.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2018] [Revised: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Mammalian spermatogenesis is a highly specialized differentiation process involving precise regulatory mechanisms at the transcriptional, posttranscriptional, and translational levels. Emerging evidence has shown that N6-methyladenosine (m6A), an epitranscriptomic regulator of gene expression, can influence pre-mRNA splicing, mRNA export, turnover, and translation, which are controlled in the male germline to ensure coordinated gene expression. In this review, we summarize the typical features of m6A RNA modification on mRNA during male germline development, and highlight the function of writers, erasers, and readers of m6A during mouse spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Ming-Han Tong
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.
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33
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Wollenzien H, Voigt E, Kareta MS. Somatic Pluripotent Genes in Tissue Repair, Developmental Disease, and Cancer. SPG BIOMED 2018; 1. [PMID: 31172135 DOI: 10.32392/biomed.18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Embryonic stem cells possess the ability to differentiate into all cell types of the body. This pliable developmental state is achieved by the function of a series of pluripotency factors, classically identified as OCT4, SOX2, and NANOG. These pluripotency factors are responsible for activating the larger pluripotency networks and the self-renewal programs which give ES cells their unique characteristics. However, during differentiation pluripotency networks become downregulated as cells achieve greater lineage specification and exit the cell cycle. Typically the repression of pluripotency is viewed as a positive factor to ensure the fidelity of cellular identity by restricting cellular pliancy. Consistent with this view, the expression of pluripotency factors is greatly restricted in somatic cells. However, there are examples whereby cells either maintain or reactivate pluripotency factors to preserve the increased potential for the healing of wounds or tissue homeostasis. Additionally there are many examples where these pluripotency factors become reactivated in a variety of human pathologies, particularly cancer. In this review, we will summarize the somatic repression of pluripotency factors, their role in tissue homeostasis and wound repair, and the human diseases that are associated with pluripotency factor misregulation with an emphasis on their role in the etiology of multiple cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Wollenzien
- Genetics and Genomics Group, Cellular Therapies and Stem Cell Biology Group, and the Cancer Biology and Immunotherapies Group, Sanford Research, 2301 East 60th Street North, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, USA.,Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, 414 E. Clark St. Vermillion, SD 57069, USA
| | - Ellen Voigt
- Genetics and Genomics Group, Cellular Therapies and Stem Cell Biology Group, and the Cancer Biology and Immunotherapies Group, Sanford Research, 2301 East 60th Street North, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, USA
| | - Michael S Kareta
- Genetics and Genomics Group, Cellular Therapies and Stem Cell Biology Group, and the Cancer Biology and Immunotherapies Group, Sanford Research, 2301 East 60th Street North, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, USA.,Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, 414 E. Clark St. Vermillion, SD 57069, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Sanford School of Medicine, 1400 W. 22nd St., Sioux Falls, SD 57105, USA.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, South Dakota State University, 1175 Medary Ave, Brookings, SD 57006, USA
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34
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Green CD, Ma Q, Manske GL, Shami AN, Zheng X, Marini S, Moritz L, Sultan C, Gurczynski SJ, Moore BB, Tallquist MD, Li JZ, Hammoud SS. A Comprehensive Roadmap of Murine Spermatogenesis Defined by Single-Cell RNA-Seq. Dev Cell 2018; 46:651-667.e10. [PMID: 30146481 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2018.07.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 286] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2018] [Revised: 07/03/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Spermatogenesis requires intricate interactions between the germline and somatic cells. Within a given cross section of a seminiferous tubule, multiple germ and somatic cell types co-occur. This cellular heterogeneity has made it difficult to profile distinct cell types at different stages of development. To address this challenge, we collected single-cell RNA sequencing data from ∼35,000 cells from the adult mouse testis and identified all known germ and somatic cells, as well as two unexpected somatic cell types. Our analysis revealed a continuous developmental trajectory of germ cells from spermatogonia to spermatids and identified candidate transcriptional regulators at several transition points during differentiation. Focused analyses delineated four subtypes of spermatogonia and nine subtypes of Sertoli cells; the latter linked to histologically defined developmental stages over the seminiferous epithelial cycle. Overall, this high-resolution cellular atlas represents a community resource and foundation of knowledge to study germ cell development and in vivo gametogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Qianyi Ma
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Gabriel L Manske
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - Xianing Zheng
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Simone Marini
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Lindsay Moritz
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Caleb Sultan
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - Bethany B Moore
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - Jun Z Li
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Saher Sue Hammoud
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Urology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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35
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La HM, Mäkelä JA, Chan AL, Rossello FJ, Nefzger CM, Legrand JMD, De Seram M, Polo JM, Hobbs RM. Identification of dynamic undifferentiated cell states within the male germline. Nat Commun 2018; 9:2819. [PMID: 30026551 PMCID: PMC6053434 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04827-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of stem cells in tissue maintenance is appreciated and hierarchical models of stem cell self-renewal and differentiation often proposed. Stem cell activity in the male germline is restricted to undifferentiated A-type spermatogonia (Aundiff); however, only a fraction of this population act as stem cells in undisturbed testis and Aundiff hierarchy remains contentious. Through newly developed compound reporter mice, here we define molecular signatures of self-renewing and differentiation-primed adult Aundiff fractions and dissect Aundiff heterogeneity by single-cell analysis. We uncover an unappreciated population within the self-renewing Aundiff fraction marked by expression of embryonic patterning genes and homeodomain transcription factor PDX1. Importantly, we find that PDX1 marks a population with potent stem cell capacity unique to mature, homeostatic testis and demonstrate dynamic interconversion between PDX1+ and PDX1- Aundiff states upon transplant and culture. We conclude that Aundiff exist in a series of dynamic cell states with distinct function and provide evidence that stability of such states is dictated by niche-derived cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hue M La
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Juho-Antti Mäkelä
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
- Institute of Biomedicine, Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Ai-Leen Chan
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Fernando J Rossello
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Christian M Nefzger
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Julien M D Legrand
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Mia De Seram
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Jose M Polo
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Robin M Hobbs
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia.
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia.
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Reprogramming of Mouse Calvarial Osteoblasts into Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells. Stem Cells Int 2018; 2018:5280793. [PMID: 29721022 PMCID: PMC5867603 DOI: 10.1155/2018/5280793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2017] [Accepted: 01/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have demonstrated the ability of reprogramming endochondral bone into induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, but whether similar phenomenon occurs in intramembranous bone remains to be determined. Here we adopted fluorescence-activated cell sorting-based strategy to isolate homogenous population of intramembranous calvarial osteoblasts from newborn transgenic mice carrying both Osx1-GFP::Cre and Oct4-EGFP transgenes. Following retroviral transduction of Yamanaka factors (Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc), enriched population of osteoblasts underwent silencing of Osx1-GFP::Cre expression at early stage of reprogramming followed by late activation of Oct4-EGFP expression in the resulting iPS cells. These osteoblast-derived iPS cells exhibited gene expression profiles akin to embryonic stem cells and were pluripotent as demonstrated by their ability to form teratomas comprising tissues from all germ layers and also contribute to tail tissue in chimera embryos. These data demonstrate that iPS cells can be generated from intramembranous osteoblasts.
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Niedenberger BA, Geyer CB. Advanced immunostaining approaches to study early male germ cell development. Stem Cell Res 2018; 27:162-168. [PMID: 29475796 PMCID: PMC5894494 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2018.01.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2017] [Revised: 01/12/2018] [Accepted: 01/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian male germ cell development takes place in the testis under the influence of a variety of somatic cells and an incompletely defined paracrine and endocrine influences. Since it is not recapitulated well in vitro, researchers studying spermatogenesis often manipulate the germline by creating transgenic or knockout mice or by administering pharmaceutical agonists/antagonists or inhibitors. The effects of these types of manipulations on germline development can often be determined following microscopic imaging, both of stained and immunostained testis sections. Here, we describe approaches for microscopic analysis of the developing male germline, provide detailed protocols for a variety of immunostaining approaches, and discuss transgenic fluorescent reporter lines for studying the early stages of spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan A Niedenberger
- East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
| | - Christopher B Geyer
- East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA; Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA.
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Regulatory Mechanism of Spermatogenic Stem Cells in Mice: Their Dynamic and Context-Dependent Behavior. DIVERSITY AND COMMONALITY IN ANIMALS 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/978-4-431-56609-0_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Wei X, Li K, Zhang G, Huang Y, Lv J, Li M, Zhao L, Fan C, Pu J, Hou J, Yuan H. B7-H3 promoted proliferation of mouse spermatogonial stem cells via the PI3K signaling pathway. Oncotarget 2017; 9:1542-1552. [PMID: 29416712 PMCID: PMC5788580 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.23457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2017] [Accepted: 12/06/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective We found seminal B7-H3 was associated with human sperm concentration. However, the mechanism is unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of B7-H3 in mouse testis and determine the effects of B7-H3 on the proliferation of mouse spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) and the underlying mechanisms. Methods B7-H3 expression in the testis of mice at different ages (3 weeks, 8 weeks, 4 months and 9 months) was detected by western blot and immunohistochemistry. CCK-8 were used to measure mouse SSCs proliferation after incubation with different concentrations of B7-H3 for 1-72 h in vitro. Flow cytometry was used to analyze the cell cycle of mouse SSCs after incubation with different concentrations of B7-H3 for 48 and 72 h. The signaling pathways involved were assessed by western blot. Results Four-month-old mice had the highest expression of B7-H3 in the testis, while 3-week-old mice had the lowest expression of B7-H3. B7-H3 was predominantly detected on the membrane and in the cytoplasm of Sertoli cells. Furthermore, B7-H3 promoted mouse SSCs proliferation and increased the percentage of cells in S+G2/M phase in a time- and dose-dependent manner in vitro. These effects were inhibited by LY294002, indicating the involvement of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase signaling pathway. Conclusions The expression of B7-H3 in mouse testis, especially Sertoli cells, was associated with mouse age. In vitro, B7-H3 promoted the proliferation and accelerated the cell cycle of mouse SSCs via the PI3K pathway, indicating a critical role of B7-H3 expressed by Sertoli cells in mouse spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuedong Wei
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Kai Li
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.,Department of Urology, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Guangbo Zhang
- Department of Clinical Immunology Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuhua Huang
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinxing Lv
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Miao Li
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Lun Zhao
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Caibin Fan
- Department of Urology, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinxian Pu
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianquan Hou
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Hexing Yuan
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
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40
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von Kopylow K, Spiess AN. Human spermatogonial markers. Stem Cell Res 2017; 25:300-309. [PMID: 29239848 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2017.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2016] [Revised: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In this review, we provide an up-to-date compilation of published human spermatogonial markers, with focus on the three nuclear subtypes Adark, Apale and B. In addition, we have extended our recently published list of putative spermatogonial markers with protein expression and RNA-sequencing data from the Human Protein Atlas and supported these by literature evidence. Most importantly, we have put substantial effort in acquiring a comprehensive list of new and potentially interesting markers by refiltering the raw data of 15 published germ cell expression datasets (four human, eleven rodent) and subsequent building of intersections to acquire a robust, cross-species set of spermatogonia-enriched or -specific transcripts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathrein von Kopylow
- Department of Andrology, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
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41
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Song HW, Bettegowda A, Lake BB, Zhao AH, Skarbrevik D, Babajanian E, Sukhwani M, Shum EY, Phan MH, Plank TDM, Richardson ME, Ramaiah M, Sridhar V, de Rooij DG, Orwig KE, Zhang K, Wilkinson MF. The Homeobox Transcription Factor RHOX10 Drives Mouse Spermatogonial Stem Cell Establishment. Cell Rep 2017; 17:149-164. [PMID: 27681428 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2016.08.090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2015] [Revised: 07/19/2016] [Accepted: 08/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The developmental origins of most adult stem cells are poorly understood. Here, we report the identification of a transcription factor-RHOX10-critical for the initial establishment of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). Conditional loss of the entire 33-gene X-linked homeobox gene cluster that includes Rhox10 causes progressive spermatogenic decline, a phenotype indistinguishable from that caused by loss of only Rhox10. We demonstrate that this phenotype results from dramatically reduced SSC generation. By using a battery of approaches, including single-cell-RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis, we show that Rhox10 drives SSC generation by promoting pro-spermatogonia differentiation. Rhox10 also regulates batteries of migration genes and promotes the migration of pro-spermatogonia into the SSC niche. The identification of an X-linked homeobox gene that drives the initial generation of SSCs has implications for the evolution of X-linked gene clusters and sheds light on regulatory mechanisms influencing adult stem cell generation in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hye-Won Song
- School of Medicine, Department of Reproductive Medicine, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Anilkumar Bettegowda
- School of Medicine, Department of Reproductive Medicine, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Blue B Lake
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Adrienne H Zhao
- School of Medicine, Department of Reproductive Medicine, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - David Skarbrevik
- School of Medicine, Department of Reproductive Medicine, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Eric Babajanian
- School of Medicine, Department of Reproductive Medicine, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Meena Sukhwani
- Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Eleen Y Shum
- School of Medicine, Department of Reproductive Medicine, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Mimi H Phan
- School of Medicine, Department of Reproductive Medicine, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Terra-Dawn M Plank
- School of Medicine, Department of Reproductive Medicine, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Marcy E Richardson
- School of Medicine, Department of Reproductive Medicine, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Madhuvanthi Ramaiah
- School of Medicine, Department of Reproductive Medicine, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Vaishnavi Sridhar
- School of Medicine, Department of Reproductive Medicine, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Dirk G de Rooij
- Reproductive Biology Group, Division of Developmental Biology, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, 3584 CH Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Kyle E Orwig
- Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Kun Zhang
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Miles F Wilkinson
- School of Medicine, Department of Reproductive Medicine, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Institute of Genomic Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
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Park HJ, Lee R, Lee WY, Kim JH, Do JT, Park C, Song H. Stage-specific expression of Sal-like protein 4 in boar testicular germ cells. Theriogenology 2017; 101:44-52. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2017.05.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2017] [Revised: 05/29/2017] [Accepted: 05/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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Haczkiewicz K, Rozenblut-Kościsty B, Ogielska M. Prespermatogenesis and early spermatogenesis in frogs. ZOOLOGY 2017; 122:63-79. [PMID: 28499702 DOI: 10.1016/j.zool.2017.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2016] [Accepted: 01/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Spermatogenesis in frogs was for the first time divided into two phases: prespermatogenesis, when gonocytes proliferate in developing tadpole testes, and active spermatogenesis when spermatogonial stem cells (i.e. descendants of gonocytes), either self-renew or enter into meiotic cycles within cysts formed by Sertoli cells. We argue that amphibian larval gonocytes are homologues to mammalian gonocytes, whereas spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) in adult frogs are homologous to mammalian single spermatogonia (As). Gonocytes constitute sex cords, i.e. the precursors of seminiferous tubules; they are bigger than SSCs and differ in morphology and ultrastructure. The nuclear envelope in gonocytes formed deep finger-like invaginations absent in SSCs. All stages of male germ cells contained lipid droplets, which were surrounded by glycogen in SSCs, but not in gonocytes. Mitochondria in gonocytes had enlarged edges of cristae, and in SSCs also lamellar mitochondria appeared. Minimal duration of prespermatogenesis was 46days after gonadal sex differentiation, but usually it lasted longer. SSCs give rise to secondary spermatogonia (equal to mammalian A, In, and B). Their lowest number inside a cyst was eight and this indicated the minimal number of cell cycles (three) of secondary spermatogonia necessary to enter meiosis. We sorted them according to the number of cell cycles (from 8 to 256 cells). This number is similar to that recorded for mammals as the result of a single As proliferation. The number of secondary spermatogonia correlates with the volume of a cyst. The general conclusion is that spermatogenesis in amphibians and mammals follows basically the same scheme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Haczkiewicz
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Wrocław Medical University, ul. Chałubińskiego 6a, 50-368 Wrocław, Poland.
| | - Beata Rozenblut-Kościsty
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Conservation of Vertebrates, University of Wrocław, ul. Sienkiewicza 21, 50-335 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Maria Ogielska
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Conservation of Vertebrates, University of Wrocław, ul. Sienkiewicza 21, 50-335 Wrocław, Poland.
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Ishikura Y, Yabuta Y, Ohta H, Hayashi K, Nakamura T, Okamoto I, Yamamoto T, Kurimoto K, Shirane K, Sasaki H, Saitou M. In Vitro Derivation and Propagation of Spermatogonial Stem Cell Activity from Mouse Pluripotent Stem Cells. Cell Rep 2016; 17:2789-2804. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2016.11.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2016] [Revised: 09/23/2016] [Accepted: 11/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
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Niu Z, Mu H, Zhu H, Wu J, Hua J. p38 MAPK pathway is essential for self-renewal of mouse male germline stem cells (mGSCs). Cell Prolif 2016; 50. [PMID: 27868268 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.12314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2016] [Accepted: 10/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Male germline stem cells (mGSCs), also called spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), constantly generate spermatozoa in male animals. A number of preliminary studies on mechanisms of mGSC self-renewal have previously been conducted, revealing that several factors are involved in this regulated process. The p38 MAPK pathway is widely conserved in multiple cell types in vivo, and plays an important role in cell proliferation, differentiation, inflammation and apoptosis. However, its role in self-renewal of mGSCs has not hitherto been determined. MATERIALS AND METHODS Here, the mouse mGSCs were cultured and their identity was verified by semi-RT-PCR, alkaline phosphatase (AP) staining and immunofluorescence staining. Then, the p38 MAPK pathway was blocked by p38 MAPK-specific inhibitor SB202190. mGSC self-renewal ability was then analysed by observation of morphology, cell number, cell growth analysis, TUNEL incorporation assay and cell cycle analysis. RESULTS Results showed that mouse mGSC self-renewal ability was significantly inhibited by SB202190. CONCLUSIONS This study showed for the first time that the p38 MAPK pathway plays a key role in maintaining self-renewal capacity of mouse mGSCs, which offers a new self-renewal pathway for these cells and contributes to overall knowledge of the mechanisms of mGSC self-renewal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwei Niu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Hailong Mu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering and Technology, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Haijing Zhu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering and Technology, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jiang Wu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering and Technology, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jinlian Hua
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering and Technology, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
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In vitro germ cell differentiation from embryonic stem cells of mice: induction control by BMP4 signalling. Biosci Rep 2016; 36:BSR20160348. [PMID: 27694305 PMCID: PMC5100000 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20160348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2016] [Revised: 09/25/2016] [Accepted: 09/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study aims to confirm and analyse germ cell-related patterns and specific gene expressions at a very early stage of cell commitment. Following the XY cytogenetic confirmation of the CCE mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) line, cells were cultured to form embryoid bodies (EBs). Expression pattern assessment of the mouse vasa homologue (Mvh), Stra8, α6 and β1 integrin genes in ESC and 1–3-day-old EB showed that all genes except α6 integrin were expressed in the ESC. The mean calibration of Mvh, Stra8 and α6 integrin expression significantly increased upon EB formation compared with the ESCs. During mouse embryogenesis, the signalling of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) is essential for germ-line formation. To investigate its role in germ-line induction in vitro, mESCs were cultured as 1-day-old EB aggregates with BMP4 for 4 days in STO co-culture systems, in the presence and absence of 5 ng/ml BMP4. At the end of the culture period, colony assay (number and diameter) was performed and the viability percentage and proliferation rate was determined. There were no significant statistical differences in the abovementioned criteria between these two groups. Moreover, the expression of Mvh, α6 and β1 integrins, Stra8 and Piwil2 genes was evaluated in co-culture groups. The molecular results of co-culture groups showed higher–but insignificant–Piwil2 and significant α6 integrin expressions in BMP4 treated co-culture systems. These results confirmed that the EB system and the presence of BMP4 in a STO co-culture system improve the differentiation of ESCs to germ cell.
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Zheng Y, Phillips LJ, Hartman R, An J, Dann CT. Ectopic POU5F1 in the male germ lineage disrupts differentiation and spermatogenesis in mice. Reproduction 2016; 152:363-77. [PMID: 27486267 DOI: 10.1530/rep-16-0140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2016] [Accepted: 08/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Expression levels of the pluripotency determinant, POU5F1, are tightly regulated to ensure appropriate differentiation during early embryogenesis. POU5F1 is also present in the spermatogonial stem cell/progenitor cell population in mice and it is downregulated as spermatogenesis progresses. To test if POU5F1 downregulation is required for SSCs to differentiate, we produced transgenic mice that ubiquitously express POU5F1 in Cre-expressing lineages. Using a Vasa-Cre driver to produce ectopic POU5F1 in all postnatal germ cells, we found that POU5F1 downregulation was necessary for spermatogonial expansion during the first wave of spermatogenesis and for the production of differentiated spermatogonia capable of undergoing meiosis. In contrast, undifferentiated spermatogonia were maintained throughout adulthood, consistent with a normal presence of POU5F1 in these cells. The results suggest that POU5F1 downregulation in differentiating spermatogonia is a necessary step for the progression of spermatogenesis. Further, the creation of a transgenic mouse model for conditional ectopic expression of POU5F1 may be a useful resource for studies of POU5F1 in other cell lineages, during tumorogenesis and cell fate reprogramming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zheng
- Department of ChemistryIndiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
| | - LeAnna J Phillips
- Department of ChemistryIndiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
| | - Rachel Hartman
- Department of ChemistryIndiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
| | - Junhui An
- Department of ChemistryIndiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
| | - Christina T Dann
- Department of ChemistryIndiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
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48
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Pirnia A, Parivar K, Hemadi M, Yaghmaei P, Gholami M. Stemness of spermatogonial stem cells encapsulated in alginate hydrogel during cryopreservation. Andrologia 2016; 49. [DOI: 10.1111/and.12650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- A. Pirnia
- Department of Biology; Science and Research Branch; Islamic Azad University; Tehran Iran
| | - K. Parivar
- Department of Biology; Science and Research Branch; Islamic Azad University; Tehran Iran
| | - M. Hemadi
- Fertility and Infertility Research Center; Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences; Ahvaz Iran
| | - P. Yaghmaei
- Department of Biology; Science and Research Branch; Islamic Azad University; Tehran Iran
| | - M. Gholami
- Razi Herbal Medicine Research center and department of Anatomical sciences; Lorestan University of Medical Sciences; Khorramabad Iran
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49
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Investigation of the cellular reprogramming phenomenon referred to as stimulus-triggered acquisition of pluripotency (STAP). Sci Rep 2016; 6:28003. [PMID: 27292224 PMCID: PMC4904271 DOI: 10.1038/srep28003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2015] [Accepted: 04/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
In January 2014, it was reported that strong external stimuli, such as a transient low-pH stressor, was capable of inducing the reprogramming of mammalian somatic cells, resulting in the generation of pluripotent cells. This cellular reprograming event was designated 'stimulus-triggered acquisition of pluripotency' (STAP) by the authors of these reports. However, after multiple instances of scientific misconduct in the handling and presentation of the data were brought to light, both reports were retracted. To investigate the actual scientific significance of the purported STAP phenomenon, we sought to repeat the original experiments based on the methods presented in the retracted manuscripts and other relevant information. As a result, we have concluded that the STAP phenomenon as described in the original studies is not reproducible.
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50
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Abstract
In 2014, Obokata and colleagues reported their observation of a novel cell reprogramming phenomenon they named ‘stimulus-triggered acquisition of pluripotency’ (STAP). The most conclusive evidence for the pluripotency of so-called STAP cells was the purported ability of such cells to contribute to chimera formation. Here, I report the results of an attempt by Haruko Obokata to replicate the phenomenon under the supervision of the Scientific Validity Examination Team of RIKEN. In this follow-up study, putative STAP cells prepared by Haruko Obokata were injected into 1051 embryos, of which 591 were recovered. However, the injected cells made no significant contribution in any of the embryos that developed.
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