title: The roles of testicular c-kit positive cells in de novo morphogenesis of testis.
abstract: C-kit positive (c-kit(+)) cells are usual tissue-specific stem cells. However, in postnatal testis, undifferentiated spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are c-kit negative (c-kit(-)) and activation of c-kit represents the start of SSC differentiation, leaving an intriguing question whether other c-kit(+) cells exist and participate in the postnatal development of testis. To this end, a feasible system for testicular reconstitution, in which a specific type of cells can be manipulated, is needed. Here, we first establish de novo morphogenesis of testis by subcutaneous injection of testicular cells from neonatal testes into the backs of nude mice. We observe testicular tissue formation and spermatogenesis from all injected sites. Importantly, functional spermatids can be isolated from these testicular tissues. Using this system, we systemically analyze the roles of c-kit(+) cells in testicular reconstitution and identify a small population of cells (c-kit(+):CD140a(+):F4/80(+)), which express typical markers of macrophages, are critical for de novo morphogenesis of testis. Interestingly, we demonstrate that these cells are gradually replaced by peripheral blood cells of recipient mice during the morphogenesis of testis. Thus, we develop a system, which may mimic the complete developmental process of postnatal testis, for investigating the testicular development and spermatogenesis.
authors.affiliation: 1] Group of Epigenetic Reprogramming, State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China, 200031 [2] University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China, 100049.
authors.forename: Man
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: 1] Group of Epigenetic Reprogramming, State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China, 200031 [2] College of Life Science, China West Normal University, Nanchong, Sichuan, China, 637002.
authors.forename: Hai
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences/Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China, 200025.
authors.forename: Chunxing
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China, 200031.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.affiliation: 1] Group of Epigenetic Reprogramming, State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China, 200031 [2] State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Animal Reproduction Institute, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, China, 530004.
authors.forename: Erwei
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zuo
authors.affiliation: Group of Epigenetic Reprogramming, State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China, 200031.
authors.forename: Wujuan
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: School of Life Science and Technology, Shanghai Tech University, Shanghai, China, 200031.
authors.forename: Da
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences/Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China, 200025.
authors.forename: Yufang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.affiliation: College of Life Science, China West Normal University, Nanchong, Sichuan, China, 637002.
authors.forename: Chunlian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China, 200031.
authors.forename: Hongyan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: 1] Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China, 200031 [2] Shanghai Information Center for Life Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China, 200031.
authors.forename: Dangsheng
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: 1] Group of Epigenetic Reprogramming, State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China, 200031 [2] School of Life Science and Technology, Shanghai Tech University, Shanghai, China, 200031.
authors.forename: Jinsong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D008264:Macrophages / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008819:Mice, Nude; D009024:Morphogenesis / Q000235:genetics*; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020796:Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013087:Spermatids / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000235:genetics*; D013093:Spermatogonia / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D016042:Transplantation, Heterotopic
chemical_list: D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D015415:Biomarkers; C036763:monocyte-macrophage differentiation antigen; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit; D020796:Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha
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