Stem Leydig Cells: Current Research and Future Prospects of Regenerative Medicine of Male Reproductive Health
Overview
Reproductive Medicine
Affiliations
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.
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.
Robert N, Ferrier-Tarin S, Tremblay J Endocrinology. 2025; 166(2).
PMID: 39823408 PMC: 11772553. DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqaf012.
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.
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.
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.