Mouse Spermatogonial Stem Cells Obtain Morphologic and Functional Characteristics of Hematopoietic Cells in Vivo

Background: The aim of this study was to explore the plasticity and transdifferentiation potential of murine spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) into hematopoietic cells.

Methods: GFP(+)CD49f(+)H-2K(b-) SSCs of male donor mice were isolated and injected into the bone marrow (BM) of Busulfan-treated GFP(-) female mice. Twelve weeks post-transplantation, the recipients were sacrificed and their BM, peripheral blood (PB) and spleen (SL) cells were collected and evaluated by phenotypical methods, i.e. fluorescence-activated cell sorting, immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization, and functional assays, i.e. colony-forming units assay and intra-BM transplantation.

Results: Green fluorescent protein (GFP)- and Y chromosome-positive cells were observed in the BM, PB and SL of transplanted female mice. These cells presented phenotypical and functional characteristics of hematopoietic cells in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusions: Our results indicate that SSCs have the potential to transdifferentiate into hematopoietic cells in vivo.