title: Testicular germline stem cells.
abstract: Stem cells have the ability to both differentiate into other mature cell types and maintain an undifferentiated state by self-renewal. These unique properties form the basis for stem cell use in organ replacement and tissue regeneration in clinical medicine. Currently, embryonic stem cells are the best-studied stem cell type. However alternative stem cells such as induced pluripotent stem cells and other adult stem cells are also being actively investigated for their potential for cell-based therapy. Among adult stem cells, emerging research has focused on evaluating the pluripotency potential of testis stem cells. To date, stem cells with embryonic-like potential have been created from adult testis germ cells. These cells could provide patient-specific, non-embryo-derived stem cells for men in the future.
authors.affiliation: Center for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research and Education, Institute for Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94305, USA.
authors.forename: Kehkooi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kee
authors.forename: Renee A Reijo
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Pera
authors.forename: Paul J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Turek
mesh_terms: D053687:Adult Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D039904:Pluripotent Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology