A novel approach for the derivation of putative primordial germ cells and sertoli cells from human embryonic stem cells.
Using human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), we describe a novel method for the rapid derivation and enrichment of cells that are comparable to primordial germ cells (PGCs) and Sertoli cells. The methodology described is based on modest changes to the growth conditions commonly used to expand hESCs and does not require genetic manipulation or complex three-dimensional culture. Remarkably, we have determined that simply reducing the size of cultured ESC colonies and manipulating the number of feeding cycles, results in the rapid emergence of cells that are comparable to migratory PGCs. Importantly, these cells can be monitored and purified on the basis of the expression of the chemokine receptor CXCR4. Under more stringent differentiating conditions these cells mature and upregulate the expression of specific germ cell markers. Importantly, this process is accompanied by the development of Sertoli-like support cells. Such cells normally provide trophic support and immunoprotection to developing germ cells and may have significant clinical utility in the prevention of graft rejection. The putative Sertoli-germ cell cocultures generated in this study may ultimately be developed to study and manipulate interactions and processes involved in human gametogenesis.
Whittier Institute, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, 92037, USA.
Nathan
N
Bucay
Mayra
M
Yebra
Vincenzo
V
Cirulli
Ivka
I
Afrikanova
Thomas
T
Kaido
Alberto
A
Hayek
Anthony M P
AM
Montgomery
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002460:Cell Line; D002465:Cell Movement; D048430:Cell Shape; D002470:Cell Survival; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D003114:Colony-Forming Units Assay; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010641:Phenotype; D019718:Receptors, CXCR4 / Q000378:metabolism; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure
D015415:Biomarkers; C527276:CXCR4 protein, human; D019718:Receptors, CXCR4