title: Comparative gene expression profiling of adult mouse ovary-derived oogonial stem cells supports a distinct cellular identity.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Perform gene expression profiling of adult mouse ovary-derived oogonial stem cells (OSCs).
  
  
  METHODS
  Experimental animal study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Research laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adult C57BL/6 female mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  METHODS
  Gene expression profiles were compared between freshly isolated and cultured OSCs, as well as between OSCs and embryonic stem cells (ESCs), fetal primordial germ cells (PGCs), and spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs); OSC yield from ovaries versus meiotic gene activation during the estrous cycle was determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Freshly isolated OSCs, PGCs, and SSCs exhibited distinct gene expression profiles. Cultured OSCs maintained their germline gene expression pattern but gained expression of pluripotency markers found in PGCs and ESCs. Cultured OSCs also expressed the meiotic marker, stimulated by retinoic acid gene 8 (Stra8). In vivo, OSC yield was higher from luteal versus follicular phase ovaries, and this was inversely related to Stra8 expression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Freshly isolated OSCs exhibit a germline gene expression profile that overlaps with, but is distinct from, that of PGCs and SSCs. After in vitro expansion, OSCs activate expression of pluripotency genes found in freshly isolated PGCs. In vivo, OSC numbers in the ovaries fluctuate during the estrous cycle, with the highest numbers noted during the luteal phase. This is followed by activation of Stra8 expression during the follicular phase, which may signify a wave of neo-oogenesis to partially offset follicular loss through atresia and ovulation in the prior cycle.
authors.affiliation: Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Anthony N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Imudia
authors.forename: Ning
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yoshihiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: Yvonne A R
authors.initials: YA
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: Dori C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Woods
authors.forename: Jonathan L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Tilly
mesh_terms: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / Q000235:genetics; D053687:Adult Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology; D030762:Estrous Cycle / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling / Q000379:methods*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D005819:Genetic Markers; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000502:physiology; D008540:Meiosis / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009866:Oogenesis / Q000235:genetics; D010053:Ovary / Q000166:cytology*
chemical_list: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D005819:Genetic Markers; C102019:Stra8 protein, mouse
keywords: Oogenesis; Stra8; germ cell; oocyte; oogonial stem cell