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Galdon G, Zarandi NP, Deebel NA, Zhang S, Cornett O, Lyalin D, Pettenati MJ, Lue Y, Wang C, Swerdloff R, Shupe TD, Bishop C, Stogner K, Kogan SJ, Howards S, Atala A, Sadri-Ardekani H. In Vitro Generation of Haploid Germ Cells from Human XY and XXY Immature Testes in a 3D Organoid System. Bioengineering (Basel) 2024; 11:677. [PMID: 39061759 PMCID: PMC11274239 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering11070677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2024] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Increasing survival rates of children following cancer treatment have resulted in a significant population of adult survivors with the common side effect of infertility. Additionally, the availability of genetic testing has identified Klinefelter syndrome (classic 47,XXY) as the cause of future male infertility for a significant number of prepubertal patients. This study explores new spermatogonia stem cell (SSC)-based fertility therapies to meet the needs of these patients. Testicular cells were isolated from cryopreserved human testes tissue stored from XY and XXY prepubertal patients and propagated in a two-dimensional culture. Cells were then incorporated into a 3D human testicular organoid (HTO) system. During a 3-week culture period, HTOs maintained their structure, viability, and metabolic activity. Cell-specific PCR and flow cytometry markers identified undifferentiated spermatogonia, Sertoli, Leydig, and peritubular cells within the HTOs. Testosterone was produced by the HTOs both with and without hCG stimulation. Upregulation of postmeiotic germ cell markers was detected after 23 days in culture. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) of chromosomes X, Y, and 18 identified haploid cells in the in vitro differentiated HTOs. Thus, 3D HTOs were successfully generated from isolated immature human testicular cells from both euploid (XY) and Klinefelter (XXY) patients, supporting androgen production and germ cell differentiation in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Galdon
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM), Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Nima Pourhabibi Zarandi
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM), Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Harrisburg, PA 17101, USA
| | - Nicholas A. Deebel
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM), Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA
- Department of Urology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - Sue Zhang
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM), Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Olivia Cornett
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM), Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA
| | - Dmitry Lyalin
- Department of Pathology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
- Department of Pathology, Molecular Diagnostics Division, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, USA
| | - Mark J. Pettenati
- Department of Pathology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - YanHe Lue
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, The Lundquist Institute, Harbor-University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90502, USA
| | - Christina Wang
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, The Lundquist Institute, Harbor-University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90502, USA
| | - Ronald Swerdloff
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, The Lundquist Institute, Harbor-University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90502, USA
| | - Thomas D. Shupe
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM), Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA
| | - Colin Bishop
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM), Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA
| | - Kimberly Stogner
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM), Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA
- Department of Pathology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - Stanley J. Kogan
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM), Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA
| | - Stuart Howards
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM), Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA
- Department of Urology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - Anthony Atala
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM), Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA
- Department of Urology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - Hooman Sadri-Ardekani
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM), Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA
- Department of Urology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
- Department of Pathology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
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Das A, Bhuyan D, Lalmalsawma T, Das PP, Koushik S, Chauhan MS, Bhuyan M. Propagation of porcine spermatogonial stem cells in serum-free culture conditions using knockout serum replacement. Reprod Domest Anim 2023; 58:219-229. [PMID: 36222382 DOI: 10.1111/rda.14278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In vitro culture and expansion of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) is an essential prerequisite to enhancing livestock productivity through SSC transplantation. Most of the culture media have been observed to be supplemented with serum. However, the use of serum in culture media may exert detrimental effects on SSC maintenance in vitro. An attempt was made to culture SSCs by replacing serum with 5% 'Knockout Serum Replacement (KSR)' in Doom pig (Sus domesticus), one of the valued indigenous germplasm of North-East India. Testes from 7 to 15 days old piglets were used for isolation, enrichment and in vitro culture of putative SSCs using serum-based and serum-free culture media. The cells were characterized for SSC-specific pluripotent markers expression by immunofluorescence staining and quantitative real-time PCR. The diameter and number of SSC colonies were recorded on days 9, 20 and 30 of culture. Similar morphologies of the SSC colonies were observed in both serum-based and serum-free culture conditions. Colony diameter and colony number were non-significantly higher in serum-free than serum-based media. The cells from both the culture conditions showed high alkaline phosphatase activity. The expression of SSC-specific pluripotent markers was observed in immunofluorescence and quantitative real-time PCR study. The present study revealed that SSCs from porcine species could be maintained in vitro for up to 30 days in serum-free culture using 5% KSR, which is believed to be a promising protein source for improving livestock production, and health care along with their conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arpana Das
- Department of Animal Genetics & Breeding, College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Guwahati, India
| | - Dipak Bhuyan
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology & Obstetrics, College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Guwahati, India
| | - Timothy Lalmalsawma
- Department of Animal Genetics & Breeding, College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Guwahati, India
| | - Partha Pratim Das
- Department of Biotechnology, North East Hill University, Shillong, India
| | - Simanta Koushik
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Guwahati, India
| | | | - Mandakranta Bhuyan
- Department of Veterinary Physiology, Mumbai Veterinary College, Mumbai, India
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Moody SC, Whiley PAF, Western PS, Loveland KL. The Impact of Activin A on Fetal Gonocytes: Chronic Versus Acute Exposure Outcomes. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:896747. [PMID: 35721752 PMCID: PMC9205402 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.896747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Activin A, a TGFβ superfamily member, is important for normal testis development through its actions on Sertoli cell development. Our analyses of altered activin A mouse models indicated gonocyte abnormalities, implicating activin A as a key determinant of early germline formation. Whether it acts directly or indirectly on germ cells is not understood. In humans, the fetal testis may be exposed to abnormally elevated activin A levels during preeclampsia, maternal infections, or following ingestion of certain medications. We hypothesized that this may impact fetal testis development and ultimately affect adult fertility. Germ cells from two mouse models of altered activin bioactivity were analysed. RNA-Seq of gonocytes purified from E13.5 and E15.5 Inhba KO mice (activin A subunit knockout) identified 46 and 44 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) respectively, and 45 in the E13.5 Inha KO (inhibin alpha subunit knockout; increased activin A) gonocytes. To discern direct effects of altered activin bioactivity on germline transcripts, isolated E13.5 gonocytes were cultured for 24h with activin A or with the activin/Nodal/TGFβ inhibitor, SB431542. Gonocytes responded directly to altered signalling, with activin A promoting a more differentiated transcript profile (increased differentiation markers Dnmt3l, Nanos2 and Piwil4; decreased early germ cell markers Kit and Tdgf1), while SB431542 had a reciprocal effect (decreased Nanos2 and Piwil4; increased Kit). To delineate direct and indirect effects of activin A exposure on gonocytes, whole testes were cultured 48h with activin A or SB431542 and collected for histological and transcript analyses, or EdU added at the end of culture to measure germ and Sertoli cell proliferation using flow cytometry. Activin increased, and SB431542 decreased, Sertoli cell proliferation. SB431542-exposure resulted in germ cells escaping mitotic arrest. Analysis of FACS-isolated gonocytes following whole testis culture showed SB431542 increased the early germ cell marker Kit, however there was a general reduction in the impact of altered activin A bioavailability in the normal somatic cell environment. This multifaceted approach identifies a capacity for activin A to directly influence fetal germ cell development, highlighting the potential for altered activin A levels in utero to increase the risk of testicular pathologies that arise from impaired germline maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah C. Moody
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Penny A. F. Whiley
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Patrick S. Western
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Kate L. Loveland
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- *Correspondence: Kate L. Loveland,
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Survivable potential of germ cells after trehalose cryopreservation of bovine testicular tissues. Cryobiology 2021; 101:105-114. [PMID: 33989617 DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2021.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Germplasm preservation of livestock or endangered animals and expansion of germline stem cells are important. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether supplementation of trehalose to the freezing medium (FM) reduces tissular damage and improves the quality of testicular cells in the cryopreserved bovine testicular tissues. We herein established an optimized protocol for the cryopreservation of bovine testicular tissues, and the isolation as well as culture of bovine germ cells containing spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) from these tissues. The results showed that FM containing 10% dimethyl sulfoxide (Me2SO/DMSO), 10% knockout serum replacement (KSR) and 20% trehalose (FM5) combined with the uncontrolled slow freezing (USF) procedures has the optimized cryoprotective effect on bovine testicular tissues. The FM5 + USF protocol reduced the cell apoptosis, maintained high cell viability, supported the structural integrity and seminiferous epithelial cohesion similar to that in the fresh tissues. Viable germ cells containing SSCs were effectively isolated from these tissues and they maintained germline marker expressions in the co-testicular cells and co-mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF) feeder culture systems respectively, during the short-term culture. Additionally, upregulated transcriptions of spermatogenic differentiation marker C-KIT and meiotic marker SYCP3 were detected in these cells after retinoic acid-induced differentiation. Together, FM5 + USF is suitable for the cryopreservation of bovine testicular tissues, with benefits of reducing the apoptosis, maintaining the cell viability, supporting the testicular structure integrity, and sustaining the survival and differentiation potential of bovine germ cells containing SSCs.
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Li TT, Geng SS, Xu HY, Luo AL, Zhao PW, Yang H, Liang XW, Lu YQ, Yang XG, Lu KH. Effects of different culture systems on the culture of prepuberal buffalo ( Bubalus bubalis) spermatogonial stem cell-like cells in vitro. J Vet Sci 2020; 21:e13. [PMID: 31940692 PMCID: PMC7000897 DOI: 10.4142/jvs.2020.21.e13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Revised: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently, the systems for culturing buffalo spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) in vitro are varied, and their effects are still inconclusive. In this study, we compared the effects of culture systems with undefined (foetal bovine serum) and defined (KnockOut Serum Replacement) materials on the in vitro culture of buffalo SSC-like cells. Significantly more DDX4- and UCHL1-positive cells (cultured for 2 days at passage 2) were observed in the defined materials culture system than in the undefined materials system (p < 0.01), and these cells were maintained for a longer period than those in the culture system with undefined materials (10 days vs. 6 days). Furthermore, NANOS2 (p < 0.05), DDX4 (p < 0.01) and UCHL1 (p < 0.05) were expressed at significantly higher levels in the culture system with defined materials than in that with undefined materials. Induction with retinoic acid was used to verify that the cultured cells maintained SSC characteristics, revealing an SCP3+ subset in the cells cultured in the defined materials system. The expression levels of Stra8 (p < 0.05) and Rec8 (p < 0.01) were significantly increased, and the expression levels of ZBTB16 (p < 0.01) and DDX4 (p < 0.05) were significantly decreased. These findings provided a clearer research platform for exploring the mechanism of buffalo SSCs in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Ting Li
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangxi High Education Key Laboratory for Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530005, China
| | - Shuang Shuang Geng
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangxi High Education Key Laboratory for Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530005, China
| | - Hui Yan Xu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangxi High Education Key Laboratory for Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530005, China
| | - Ao Lin Luo
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangxi High Education Key Laboratory for Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530005, China
| | - Peng Wei Zhao
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangxi High Education Key Laboratory for Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530005, China
| | - Huan Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangxi High Education Key Laboratory for Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530005, China
| | - Xing Wei Liang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangxi High Education Key Laboratory for Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530005, China
| | - Yang Qing Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangxi High Education Key Laboratory for Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530005, China
| | - Xiao Gan Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangxi High Education Key Laboratory for Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530005, China.
| | - Ke Huan Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangxi High Education Key Laboratory for Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530005, China.
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Abstract
Background Recently discovered drugs that target epigenetic modifying complexes are providing new treatment options for a range of cancers that affect patients of reproductive age. Although these drugs provide new therapies, it is likely that they will also affect epigenetic programming in sperm and oocytes. A promising target is Enhancer of Zeste 2 (EZH2), which establishes the essential epigenetic modification, H3K27me3, during development. Results In this study, we demonstrate that inhibition of EZH1/2 with the clinically relevant drug, tazemetostat, severely depletes H3K27me3 in growing oocytes of adult female mice. Moreover, EZH2 inhibition depleted H3K27me3 in primary oocytes and in fetal oocytes undergoing epigenetic reprogramming. Surprisingly, once depleted, H3K27me3 failed to recover in growing oocytes or in fetal oocytes. Conclusion Together, these data demonstrate that drugs targeting EZH2 significantly affect the germline epigenome and, based on genetic models with oocyte-specific loss of EZH2 function, are likely to affect outcomes in offspring. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13148-018-0465-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lexie Prokopuk
- 1Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168 Australia.,2Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168 Australia
| | - Kirsten Hogg
- 1Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168 Australia.,2Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168 Australia
| | - Patrick S Western
- 1Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168 Australia.,2Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168 Australia
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Silva AF, Escada-Rebelo S, Amaral S, Tavares RS, Schlatt S, Ramalho-Santos J, Mota PC. Can we induce spermatogenesis in the domestic cat using an in vitro tissue culture approach? PLoS One 2018; 13:e0191912. [PMID: 29414992 PMCID: PMC5802888 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0191912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2017] [Accepted: 01/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The reduced number of animals in most wild felid populations implies a loss of genetic diversity. The death of juveniles, prior to the production of mature sperm, represents a loss of potential genetic contribution to future populations. Since 2011 mouse testicular organ culture has introduced an alternative mechanism to produce sperm in vitro from immature tissue. However, extension of this technology to other species has remained limited. We have used the domestic cat (Felis catus) as a model for wild felids to investigate spermatogenesis initiation and regulation, with the mouse serving as a control species. Testicular tissue fragments were cultured in control medium or medium supplemented with knockout serum replacement (KSR), AlbuMax, beta-estradiol or AlbuMax plus beta-estradiol. Contrary to expectations, and unlike results obtained in mouse controls, no germ cell differentiation could be detected. The only germ cells observed after six weeks of culture were spermatogonia regardless of the initial stage of tubule development in the donor tissue. Moreover, the number of spermatogonia decreased with time in culture in all media tested, especially in the medium supplemented with KSR, while AlbuMax had a slight protective effect. The combination of AlbuMax and beta-estradiol led to an increase in the area occupied by seminiferous tubules, and thus to an increase in total number of spermatogonial cells. Considering all the media combinations tested the stimulus for felid germ cell differentiation in this type of system seems to be different from the mouse. Studies using other triggers of differentiation and tissue survival factors should be performed to pursue this technology for the genetic diversity preservation in wild felids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreia F. Silva
- Biology of Reproduction and Stem Cell Group, Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Sara Escada-Rebelo
- Biology of Reproduction and Stem Cell Group, Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Sandra Amaral
- Biology of Reproduction and Stem Cell Group, Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (IIIUC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Renata S. Tavares
- Biology of Reproduction and Stem Cell Group, Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Stefan Schlatt
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Institute of Reproductive and Regenerative Biology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - João Ramalho-Santos
- Biology of Reproduction and Stem Cell Group, Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Paula C. Mota
- Biology of Reproduction and Stem Cell Group, Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (IIIUC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- * E-mail:
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Isoler-Alcaraz J, Fernández-Pérez D, Larriba E, del Mazo J. Cellular and molecular characterization of gametogenic progression in ex vivo cultured prepuberal mouse testes. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2017; 15:85. [PMID: 29047395 PMCID: PMC5648490 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-017-0305-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2017] [Accepted: 10/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recently, an effective testis culture method using a gas-liquid interphase, capable of differentiate male germ cells from neonatal spermatogonia to spermatozoa has been developed. Nevertheless, this methodology needs deep analyses that allow future experimental approaches in basic, pathologic and/or reprotoxicologic studies. Because of this, we characterized at cellular and molecular levels the entire in vitro spermatogenic progression, in order to understand and evaluate the characteristics that define the spermatogenic process in ex vivo cultured testes compared to the in vivo development. METHODS Testicular explants of CD1 mice aged 6 and 10 days post-partum were respectively cultured during 55 and 89 days. Cytological and molecular approaches were performed, analyzing germ cell proportion at different time culture points, meiotic markers immunodetecting synaptonemal complex protein SYCP3 by immunocytochemistry and the relative expression of different marker genes along the differentiation process by Reverse Transcription - quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction. In addition, microRNA and piwi-interactingRNA profiles were also evaluated by Next Generation Sequencing and bioinformatic approaches. RESULTS The method promoted and maintained the spermatogenic process during 89 days. At a cytological level we detected spermatogenic development delays of cultured explants compared to the natural in vivo process. The expression of different spermatogenic stages gene markers correlated with the proportion of different cell types detected in the cytological preparations. CONCLUSIONS In vitro progression analysis of the different spermatogenic cell types, from both 6.5 dpp and 10.5 dpp testes explants, has revealed a relative delay in relation to in vivo process. The expression of the genes studied as biomarkers correlates with the cytologically and functional detected progression and differential expression identified in vivo. After a first analysis of deep sequencing data it has been observed that as long as cultures progress, the proportion of microRNAs declined respect to piwi-interactingRNAs levels that increased, showing a similar propensity than which happens in in vivo spermatogenesis. Our study allows to improve and potentially to control the ex vivo spermatogenesis development, opening new perspectives in the reproductive biology fields including male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Isoler-Alcaraz
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CIB-CSIC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - D. Fernández-Pérez
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CIB-CSIC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - E. Larriba
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CIB-CSIC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - J. del Mazo
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CIB-CSIC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
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Zhang P, Chen X, Zheng Y, Zhu J, Qin Y, Lv Y, Zeng W. Long-Term Propagation of Porcine Undifferentiated Spermatogonia. Stem Cells Dev 2017; 26:1121-1131. [PMID: 28474535 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2017.0018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) provide the foundation for spermatogenesis and fertility throughout the adult life of a male. Genetic manipulations of SSCs combined with germ cell transplantation present a novel approach for gene therapy and production of genetically modified animals. However, the rarity of SSCs within mammalian testes remains an impediment to related applications, making in vitro expansion of SSCs a prerequisite. Nevertheless, long-term culture systems of SSCs from large animals have not been established yet. In this study, we developed an optimized in vitro culture condition for porcine undifferentiated spermatogonia. The germ cells were isolated and enriched from 7-day-old porcine testes by an optimized differential planting. We tested different feeder layers and found that neonatal autologous Sertoli cells acted better than the SIM mouse embryo-derived thioguanine- and ouabain-resistant (STO) cell line and adult Sertoli cells. The effects of several growth factors were also investigated. Using neonatal Sertoli cells as feeder and Dulbecco's modified eagle medium: nutrient mixture F-12 (DMEM/F12) culture medium supplemented with 10% KSR and four cytokines, the undifferentiated spermatogonia can proliferate in vitro for at least 2 months without loss of stemness. The expression of SSC markers indicated that the cultured cells maintained SSC expression profiles. Moreover, xenotransplantation and in vitro induction showed that the long-term cultured cells preserved the capacity to colonize in vivo and differentiate in vitro, respectively, demonstrating the presence of SSCs in the cultured cells. In conclusion, the conditions described in this study can support the normal proliferation of porcine undifferentiated spermatogonia with stemness and normal karyotype for at least 2 months. This culture system will serve as a basic refinement in the future studies and facilitate studies on SSC biology and genetic manipulation of male germ cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Zhang
- 1 College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University , Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiaoxu Chen
- 1 College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University , Shaanxi, China
| | - Yi Zheng
- 2 Center for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam Research Institute Reproduction and Development, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam , Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jinshen Zhu
- 1 College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University , Shaanxi, China
| | - Yuwei Qin
- 1 College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University , Shaanxi, China
| | - Yinghua Lv
- 1 College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University , Shaanxi, China
| | - Wenxian Zeng
- 1 College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University , Shaanxi, China
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Prokopuk L, Stringer JM, Hogg K, Elgass KD, Western PS. PRC2 is required for extensive reorganization of H3K27me3 during epigenetic reprogramming in mouse fetal germ cells. Epigenetics Chromatin 2017; 10:7. [PMID: 28239420 PMCID: PMC5319108 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-017-0113-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2016] [Accepted: 02/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Defining how epigenetic information is established in the germline during fetal development is key to understanding how epigenetic information is inherited and impacts on evolution and human health and disease. Results Here, we show that Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 is transiently localized in the nucleus of mouse fetal germ cells, while DNA methylation is removed from the germline. This coincides with significant enrichment of trimethylated lysine 27 on histone 3 near the nuclear lamina that is dependent on activity of the essential PRC2 catalytic proteins, Enhancer of Zeste 1 and/or 2. Conclusions Combined, these data reveal a role for Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 and trimethylated lysine 27 on histone 3 during germline epigenetic programming that we speculate is required to repress target sequences while DNA methylation is removed. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13072-017-0113-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lexie Prokopuk
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Centre for Genetic Diseases, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168 Australia
| | - Jessica M Stringer
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Centre for Genetic Diseases, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168 Australia
| | - Kirsten Hogg
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Centre for Genetic Diseases, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168 Australia
| | - Kirstin D Elgass
- Monash Micro Imaging, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800 Australia
| | - Patrick S Western
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Centre for Genetic Diseases, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168 Australia
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Galdon G, Atala A, Sadri-Ardekani H. In Vitro Spermatogenesis: How Far from Clinical Application? Curr Urol Rep 2016; 17:49. [PMID: 27107595 DOI: 10.1007/s11934-016-0605-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Male infertility affects 7 % of the male population, and 10 % of infertile men are azoospermic. In these instances, using microsurgical testicular sperm extraction (m-TESE) and intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) helps a significant number of patients. However, in vitro differentiation of diploid germ cells to mature haploid germ cell has the potential to benefit many others, including pediatric cancer survivors who have previously cryopreserved their immature testicular tissue prior to starting gonadotoxic cancer treatment as well as men with spermatogenic arrest. This systematic review evaluates and summarizes half a century of researchers' efforts towards achieving in vitro spermatogenesis in mammalian species. A myriad of experimental assays and approaches has been developed using whole testis tissue or separated single cells from testis in two- or three-dimensional cell culture systems (2D versus 3D). Recent advances in the mammalian in vitro spermatogenesis, particularly in murine and nonhuman primate systems, hold promise towards translating the availability of in vitro spermatogenesis models in the human clinical setting in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Galdon
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Anthony Atala
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.,Department of Urology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Hooman Sadri-Ardekani
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC, USA. .,Department of Urology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
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McClelland KS, Bowles J. Culturing murine embryonic organs: Pros, cons, tips and tricks. Differentiation 2016; 91:50-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.diff.2016.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2016] [Accepted: 01/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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