Direct Reprogramming of Human Sertoli Cells into Male Germline Stem Cells with the Self-renewal and Differentiation Potentials Via Overexpressing DAZL/DAZ2/BOULE Genes

Overview

Journal Stem Cell Reports

Publisher Cell Press

Specialty Cell Biology

Date 2021 Oct 15

PMID 34653405

Citations 4

Authors

Wenhui Zhang

Wei Chen

Yinghong Cui

Liping Wen

Qingqing Yuan

Fan Zhou

Qianqian Qiu

Min Sun

Zheng Li

Zuping He

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

We propose a new concept that human somatic cells can be converted to become male germline stem cells by the defined factors. Here, we demonstrated that the overexpression of DAZL, DAZ2, and BOULE could directly reprogram human Sertoli cells into cells with the characteristics of human spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), as shown by their similar transcriptomes and proteomics with human SSCs. Significantly, human SSCs derived from human Sertoli cells colonized and proliferated in vivo, and they could differentiate into spermatocytes and haploid spermatids in vitro. Human Sertoli cell-derived SSCs excluded Y chromosome microdeletions and assumed normal chromosomes. Collectively, human somatic cells could be converted directly to human SSCs with the self-renewal and differentiation potentials and high safety. This study is of unusual significance, because it provides an effective approach for reprogramming human somatic cells into male germ cells and offers invaluable male gametes for treating male infertility.

Citing Articles

KLF2 controls proliferation and apoptosis of human spermatogonial stem cells via targeting GJA1.

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OIP5 Interacts with NCK2 to Mediate Human Spermatogonial Stem Cell Self-Renewal and Apoptosis through Cell Cyclins and Cycle Progression and Its Abnormality Is Correlated with Male Infertility.

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Sertoli cell-only syndrome: advances, challenges, and perspectives in genetics and mechanisms.

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Generation of male germ cells from the stem cells.

Cui Y, Chen W, Wu S, Wan C, He Z Asian J Androl. 2022; 25(1):13-20.

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