Identification and characterization of repopulating spermatogonial stem cells from the adult human testis

Abstract

This study clearly demonstrates that repopulating human SSCs have phenotypic characteristics of SSEA-4(+), CD49f(+), GPR-125(+)and c-Kit (neg/low). The results have direct implications for enrichment of human spermatogonia for further culture and germ cell differentiation studies.

In vitro culture and characterization of spermatogonial stem cells on Sertoli cell feeder layer in goat (Capra hircus)

“…Among the livestock species, goats are often considered as unique for transgenesis because of their small body size, shorter gestation period, prolificacy and relatively higher protein content in their milk [29]. There are several reports of SSC culture in different species including mice [22,30], rat [31,32], cattle [11,33], buffalo [34,35] and human [13,36]. But the isolation and enrichment as well as establishment of long term culture system for SSCs have not yet been exploited substantially in goats except a very recent report [10].…”

Spermatogonial Stem Cells: An Alternate Source of Pluripotent Stem Cells for Regenerative Medicine

“…Nonetheless, significant progress has recently been made in the isolation and propagation of cells with SSCs properties from rodent Guan et al 2009;Kanatsu-Shinohara, Takehashi, and Shinohara 2008;Kubota, Avarbock, and Brinster 2004;Brinster 2006, 2008;Ogawa et al 2003;Hofmann et al 2005;Kanatsu-Shinohara et al 2010) and human testes (Conrad et al 2008;Glaser et al 2008;Golestaneh et al 2009;Kossack et al 2009;Zovoilis et al 2008;Izadyar et al 2011;He et al 2009). Human testicular tissue is currently obtained from testicular biopsies (Izadyar et al 2011;Kossack et al 2009), orchiectomies (Izadyar et al 2011) and organ donors ). Testicular biopsies of approximately one gram can yield sufficient number of human SSCs for most clinical applications.…”

“…Although our knowledge of mouse and human SSCs phenotype is still limited, studies suggest that human SSCs express proteins such as cluster of differentiation antigens 49f, 90 and 133 (CD49f, CD90, and CD133, respectively), glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor family receptor alpha 1 (GFRA1), G protein-coupled receptor 125 (GPR125), melanoma antigen family A 4 (MAGE4), promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger (PLZF) and stage-specific embryonic antigen-4 (SSEA-4; Costoya et al 2004;Conrad et al 2008;He et al 2009;Izadyar et al 2011). Using these markers in magnetic-or fluorescent-activated cell sorting, SSCs can be isolated with a high degree of purity (Gassei et al 2009;Izadyar et al 2011;. Although there have been no definitive culture conditions for propagation of either mouse or human SSCs, culture systems established by different groups seem to be conducive for their propagation.…”

Gametogenesis in a dish

“…These cells reside at the base of seminiferous tubules of the testes, can be identified by their ability to generate a colony through spermatogenesis after transplantation into the testes of germ cell-deficient recipients [1], and can be isolated from testes and maintained and cultured in vitro [2]. Contrary to this proven experimental observation, the existence of female germline stem cells has remained controversial for many years.…”

“…v) Can human germline stem cells be induced into functional gametes in vitro? Given that both SSCs and OSCs can be isolated and cultured [2,5], and that the complete spermatogenesis can be induced from murine SSCs in an in vitro organ culture system [17], it is possible that human germline stem cells may offer a more efficient way to generate personalized gametes. vi) Could one envision methodologies for the direct conversion from human somatic cells to a germline-like cell status?…”