Transplantation of encapsulated human Leydig-like cells: A novel option for the treatment of testosterone deficiency.

Previous studies have demonstrated that the transplantation of alginate-poly-ʟ-lysine-alginate (APA)-encapsulated rat Leydig cells (LCs) provides a promising approach for treating testosterone deficiency (TD). Nevertheless, LCs have a limited capacity to proliferate, limiting the efficacy of LC transplantation therapy. Here, we established an efficient differentiation system to obtain functional Leydig-like cells (LLCs) from human stem Leydig cells (hSLCs).

Endosialin defines human stem Leydig cells with regenerative potential.

Study Question: Is endosialin a specific marker of human stem Leydig cells (SLCs) with the ability to differentiate into testosterone-producing Leydig cells (LCs) in vitro and in vivo?

Summary Answer: Endosialin is a specific marker of human SLCs which differentiate into testosterone-producing LCs in vitro and in vivo.

What Is Known Already: Human SLCs have been identified and isolated using the marker platelet-derived growth factor receptor α (PDGFRα) or nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR). However, the specificity was not high; thus, LCs and germ cells could be mistakenly sorted as SLCs if PDGFRα or NGFR was used as a marker for human SLCs isolation.

Restorative functions of Autologous Stem Leydig Cell transplantation in a Testosterone-deficient non-human primate model.

Stem Leydig cells (SLCs) transplantation can restore testosterone production in rodent models and is thus a potential solution for treating testosterone deficiency (TD). However, it remains unknown whether these favorable effects will be reproduced in more clinically relevant large-animal models. Therefore, we assessed the feasibility, safety and efficacy of autologous SLCs transplantation in a testosterone-deficient non-human primate (NHP) model.