» Articles » PMID: 34001436

Stem Leydig Cells: Current Research and Future Prospects of Regenerative Medicine of Male Reproductive Health

Overview
Date 2021 May 18
PMID 34001436
Citations 7
Authors
Affiliations
Soon will be listed here.
Abstract

Stem cells are specialized cells that can renew themselves through cell division and can differentiate into multi-lineage cells. Mesenchymal stem cells are adult stem cells that exist in animal and human tissues. Mesenchymal stem cells have the ability to differentiate into mesodermal lineages, such as Leydig cells, adipocytes, osteocytes, and chondrocytes. Mesenchymal stem cells express cell surface markers, such as cluster of differentiation (CD) 29, CD44, CD73, CD90, CD105, and lack the expression of CD14, CD34, CD45 and HLA (human leukocyte antigen)-DR. Stem Leydig cells are one kind of mesenchymal stem cells, which are present in the interstitial compartment of testis. Stem Leydig cells are multipotent and can differentiate into Leydig cells, adipocytes, osteocytes, and chondrocytes. Stem Leydig cells have been isolated from rodent and human testes. Stem Leydig cells may have potential therapeutic values in several clinical applications, such as the treatment of male hypogonadism and infertility. In this review, we focus on the latest research on stem Leydig cells of both rodents and human, the expression of cell surface markers, culture, differentiation potential, and their applications.

Citing Articles

Efficient differentiation of human iPSCs into Leydig-like cells capable of long-term stable secretion of testosterone.

Sato K, Koyanagi-Aoi M, Uehara K, Yamashita Y, Shinohara M, Lee S Stem Cell Reports. 2025; 20(2):102392.

PMID: 39824187 PMC: 11864132. DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2024.102392.


A New Leydig Cell-Exclusive Cre Line Allows Lineage Tracing of Fetal and Adult Leydig Cell Populations in the Mouse.

Robert N, Ferrier-Tarin S, Tremblay J Endocrinology. 2025; 166(2).

PMID: 39823408 PMC: 11772553. DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqaf012.


Reconstructing the Stem Leydig Cell Niche via the Testicular Extracellular Matrix for the Treatment of Testicular Leydig Cell Dysfunction.

Chi A, Yang C, Liu J, Zhai Z, Shi X Adv Sci (Weinh). 2024; 12(2):e2410808.

PMID: 39555675 PMC: 11727238. DOI: 10.1002/advs.202410808.


Morphine compromises androgen biosynthesis by immature Leydig cells from pubertal rat testes in vitro.

Lv Y, Dong Y, Su M, Lin H, Zhu Q, Li H Toxicol Res (Camb). 2024; 13(1):tfae001.

PMID: 38283823 PMC: 10811522. DOI: 10.1093/toxres/tfae001.


Patulin Stimulates Progenitor Leydig Cell Proliferation but Delays Its Differentiation in Male Rats during Prepuberty.

Li H, Su M, Lin H, Li J, Wang S, Ye L Toxins (Basel). 2023; 15(9).

PMID: 37756007 PMC: 10538017. DOI: 10.3390/toxins15090581.