Expression of stem and germ cell markers within nonfollicle structures in adult mouse ovary.
Recent studies have suggested that germline stem cells may generate new follicles in the adult murine ovary. In this study, the authors use a pou5f1-enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) transgenic mouse model to study the expression of stem and germ cell markers in adult murine ovaries. Immunohistochemical analyses and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction were performed to detect the expression of mouse vasa homologue, stem cells factor receptor, stage-specific embryonic antigen 1, synaptonemal complex proteins, disrupted meiotic, and growth differentiation factor-9 in GFP+ ovarian tissues. GFP+ cell aggregates of nonfollicle structures were identified and isolated from adult B6.CBA-Tg(pou5f1-EGFP)2Mnn/J transgenic mouse ovaries. This study shows the presence of cell aggregates that are distinct from ovarian follicles and are coexpressing germline and stem cell surface markers in adult murine ovaries. These cell aggregates may represent a mixed population of germ cells and germline stem cells. Further research is necessary to evaluate the plasticity of the potential stem cell population in these cell aggregates.
Zhang
Dong
D
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
Fouad
Hala
H
Zoma
Willie D
WD
Salama
Salama A
SA
Wentz
Melissa J
MJ
Al-Hendy
Ayman
A
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D053487:DEAD-box RNA Helicases / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D005260:Female; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D016256:Lewis X Antigen / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D023421:Models, Animal; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D050814:Octamer Transcription Factor-3 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D010053:Ovary / Q000378:metabolism*; D028044:Phosphate-Binding Proteins; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / Q000096:biosynthesis; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism*
D015415:Biomarkers; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C513032:Dmc1 protein, mouse; D016256:Lewis X Antigen; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D050814:Octamer Transcription Factor-3; D028044:Phosphate-Binding Proteins; C494174:Pou5f1 protein, mouse; C490062:Sycp3 protein, mouse; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit; C090864:Ddx4 protein, mouse; D053487:DEAD-box RNA Helicases