Sertoli cells are considered the "supporting cells" of the testis that play an essential role in sex determination during embryogenesis and in spermatogenesis during adulthood. Their essential roles in male fertility along with their immunosuppressive and neurotrophic properties make them an attractive cell type for therapeutic applications. Here we demonstrate the generation of induced embryonic Sertoli-like cells (ieSCs) by ectopic expression of five transcription factors. We characterize the role of specific transcription factor combinations in the transition from fibroblasts to ieSCs and identify key steps in the process. Initially, transduced fibroblasts underwent a mesenchymal to epithelial transition and then acquired the ability to aggregate, formed tubular-like structures, and expressed embryonic Sertoli-specific markers. These Sertoli-like cells facilitated neuronal differentiation and self-renewal of neural progenitor cells (NPCs), supported the survival of germ cells in culture, and cooperated with endogenous embryonic Sertoli and primordial germ cells in the generation of testicular cords in the fetal gonad.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3438668 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.stem.2012.07.019 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Reprograming skin fibroblasts into Sertoli cells: a patient-specific tool to understand effects of genetic variants on gonadal development.
Biol Sex Differ
March 2024
Institute for Clinical and Translational Science, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.
Background: Disorders/differences of sex development (DSD) are congenital conditions in which the development of chromosomal, gonadal, or anatomical sex is atypical. With overlapping phenotypes and multiple genes involved, poor diagnostic yields are achieved for many of these conditions. The current DSD diagnostic regimen can be augmented by investigating transcriptome/proteome in vivo, but it is hampered by the unavailability of affected gonadal tissue at the relevant developmental stage.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTesticular Neoplasms With Sex Cord and Stromal Components Harbor a Recurrent Pattern of Chromosomal Gains.
Mod Pathol
January 2024
Department of Pathology, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana.
Article Synopsis
- Sertoli-stromal cell tumors (SSCTs) are a rare type of testicular tumor that combines Sertoli, spindle, and Leydig cells, but their clinical and molecular characteristics have not been thoroughly investigated.
- A study analyzed the morphologic and genomic aspects of 14 SSCTs, identifying a median patient age of 24 years and common structural features like tubular arrangements and nests of Sertoli-like cells.
- Genomic findings revealed mutations such as DICER1 in one tumor and CTNNB1 in others, suggesting most SSCTs mainly show alterations similar to other testicular tumors rather than significant pathogenic mutations.
In vitro cellular reprogramming to model gonad development and its disorders.
Sci Adv
January 2023
Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, CNRS UMR3738, Human Developmental Genetics, F-75015 Paris, France.
During embryonic development, mutually antagonistic signaling cascades determine gonadal fate toward a testicular or ovarian identity. Errors in this process result in disorders of sex development (DSDs), characterized by discordance between chromosomal, gonadal, and anatomical sex. The absence of an appropriate, accessible in vitro system is a major obstacle in understanding mechanisms of sex-determination/DSDs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEx-Vivo and In-Vivo Expansion of Spermatogonial Stem Cells Using Cell-Seeded Microfluidic Testis Scaffolds and Animal Model.
Cell Tissue Bank
March 2023
Pediatric Urology and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Section of Tissue Engineering and Stem Cells Therapy, Children's Hospital Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Aims: This study was designed to provide both ex-vivo and in-vivo methods for the extraction and expansion of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs).
Methods: For in-vivo experiments, azoospermic mouse model was performed with Busulfan. Isolation, culture, and characterization of neonate mouse SSC were also achieved.
Maternal exposure to PM disrupting offspring spermatogenesis through induced sertoli cells apoptosis via inhibin B hypermethylation in mice.
Ecotoxicol Environ Saf
August 2022
School of Nursing, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China. Electronic address:
Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM) disrupts endocrine functions and may negatively affect sperm quality and quantity in males; however, the long-term effects and potential mechanisms of this effect are unknown. This study aimed to investigate the epigenetic mechanism of maternal exposure to PM-induced inhibin B hypermethylation in male offspring.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!