In Vitro Reconstitution of the Whole Male Germ-Cell Development from Mouse Pluripotent Stem Cells [RNA-Seq]
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ABSTRACT:
ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus
PROVIDER: GSE168220 | GEO | 2021/09/30
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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Project description:Mammalian male germ-cell development consists of three distinct phases: primordial germ cell (PGC) development, male germ-cell specification for spermatogonium development, and ensuing spermatogenesis. Here, we show an in vitro reconstitution of whole male germ-cell development by pluripotent stem cells (PSCs). Mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) are induced into PGC-like cells (mPGCLCs), which are expanded for epigenetic reprogramming. In reconstituted testes under an optimized condition, such mPGCLCs differentiate into spermatogonium-like cells with proper developmental transitions, gene expression, and cell-cycle dynamics and are expanded robustly as germline stem cell-like cells (GSCLCs) with an appropriate androgenetic epigenome. Importantly, GSCLCs show vigorous spermatogenesis, not only upon transplantation into testes in vivo but also under an in vitro culture of testis transplants, and the resultant spermatids contribute to fertile offspring. By uniting faithful recapitulations of the three phases of male germ-cell development, our study creates a paradigm for the in vitro male gametogenesis by PSCs.
2021-09-30 | GSE168221 | GEO
Project description:Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are the founding population of the germ cell lineage that undergo a multistep process to generate spermatozoa or oocytes. Establishing an appropriate culture system for PGCs is a key challenge in reproductive biology. By a chemical screening using mouse PGC-like cells (mPGCLCs), which were induced from mouse embryonic stem cells, we reported previously that forskolin and rolipram synergistically enhanced the proliferation/survival of mPGCLCs with an average expansion rate of ∼20-fold. In the present study, we evaluated other chemicals or cytokines to see whether they would improve the current mPGCLC culture system. Among the chemicals and cytokines examined, in the presence of forskolin and rolipram, cyclosporin A (CsA) and fibroblast growth factors (FGFs: FGF2 and FGF10) effectively enhanced the expansion of mPGCLCs in vitro (∼50-fold on average). During the expansion by CsA or FGFs, mPGCLCs comprehensively erased their DNA methylation to acquire a profile equivalent to that of gonadal germ cells in vivo, while maintaining their highly motile phenotype as well as their transcriptional properties as sexually uncommitted PGCs. Importantly, these mPGCLCs robustly contributed to spermatogenesis and produced fertile offspring. Furthermore, mouse PGCs (mPGCs) cultured with CsA ex vivo showed transcriptomes and DNA methylomes similar to those of cultured mPGCLCs. The improved culture system for mPGCLCs/mPGCs would be instructive for addressing key questions in PGC biology, including the mechanisms for germ cell migration, epigenetic reprogramming, and sex determination of the germline.
2021-02-16 | GSE151445 | GEO
Project description:Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are the founding population of the germ cell lineage that undergo a multistep process to generate spermatozoa or oocytes. Establishing an appropriate culture system for PGCs is a key challenge in reproductive biology. By a chemical screening using mouse PGC-like cells (mPGCLCs), which were induced from mouse embryonic stem cells, we reported previously that forskolin and rolipram synergistically enhanced the proliferation/survival of mPGCLCs with an average expansion rate of ∼20-fold. In the present study, we evaluated other chemicals or cytokines to see whether they would improve the current mPGCLC culture system. Among the chemicals and cytokines examined, in the presence of forskolin and rolipram, cyclosporin A (CsA) and fibroblast growth factors (FGFs: FGF2 and FGF10) effectively enhanced the expansion of mPGCLCs in vitro (∼50-fold on average). During the expansion by CsA or FGFs, mPGCLCs comprehensively erased their DNA methylation to acquire a profile equivalent to that of gonadal germ cells in vivo, while maintaining their highly motile phenotype as well as their transcriptional properties as sexually uncommitted PGCs. Importantly, these mPGCLCs robustly contributed to spermatogenesis and produced fertile offspring. Furthermore, mouse PGCs (mPGCs) cultured with CsA ex vivo showed transcriptomes and DNA methylomes similar to those of cultured mPGCLCs. The improved culture system for mPGCLCs/mPGCs would be instructive for addressing key questions in PGC biology, including the mechanisms for germ cell migration, epigenetic reprogramming, and sex determination of the germline.
2021-02-16 | GSE151444 | GEO
Project description:Spermatogenesis has been well studied in rodents and invertebrates, but remains poorly understood in humans. As a step towards illuminating human spermatogenesis, we used single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNAseq) analysis to analyze neonatal and adult human testes. Clustering analysis of neonatal testes revealed 3 germ subsets, including cells with characteristics of primordial germ cells (PGCs), and more differentiated cells with gene expression profiles similar with adult spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). We identified markers for these neonatal subsets, including protein markers for the PGC-like (PGCL) subset. Clustering analysis of the adult testis revealed 9 germ and 3 somatic cell subsets. Among the germ cell clusters are 4 undifferentiated spermatogonia (SPG) states, each marked by specific genes. One of the SPG states has characteristics suggesting it is enriched for SSCs. We identified protein markers specific for this state, including cell-surface proteins that we used to enrich for these cells. We mapped the timeline of male germ cell development from PGCs through fetal germ cells to differentiating adult SPG stages. We also defined somatic cell subsets in the human testis and traced their developmental trajectories. Together, our data provides a blueprint for understanding the development of the male germline and supporting somatic cells in humans. The germ cell subset markers we identified are candidates to be used for clinical applications, including SSC therapy for treating infertility.
2018-12-22 | GSE124263 | GEO
Project description:The autosomal gene Dazl is a member of highly conservative DAZ family, all of which contains a RNA binding domain and expresses in germ cells. In mice, Dazl plays an essential role in germ cell development, germ cell lost in Dazl knockout mouse on pure C57BL/6 strain background. Here we generated conditional DAZL knockout mice which allowed us to examine the roles of DAZL in postnatal spermatogenesis without affecting its early function in PGC. RNA was extracted from 10dpp wild type and Stra8-cre KO mouse testes to perform RNA-seq, StringTie software was used to assess the expression level by formula log2(FPKM+1).
2019-10-09 | GSE114042 | GEO
Project description:The molecular mechanisms underlying the commitment of cells to the germ cell lineage and the subsequent formation of germ cells during mammalian development remain poorly understood due to an inability to obtain sufficient amounts of cellular materials to conduct thorough in-vitro analyses. Although primordial germ cells (PGCs) have been generated and isolated from embryonic stem cells (ESCs) in vitro, concurrent expression of several cell surface receptors and transcription factors, at various levels, confounds the identification of these cells. To date, only a few genes that mark the onset of germ cell commitment to the epiblast, including tissue nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP), Blimp1, Stella, and Fragilis, have been used with some degree of success to detect PGC formation in in-vitro model systems. In light of the current literature, the generation of an unlimited supply of germ cells and gametes from pluripotent stem cells would greatly facilitate studies into reproductive development. To accomplish this, we would need to discover novel markers that are specifically expressed in germ cells. Here we identified four genes that are specifically expressed in male and female germ cells, both in vivo and in vitro, but are not expressed in somatic tissues or ESCs. Expression of these genes therefore allows us to distinguish committed germ cells from undifferentiated pluripotent cell populations, a prerequisite for the successful derivation of germ cells and gametes in vitro. For RNA isolation, PGCs were sorted by FACS, collected by centrifugation, lysed in RLT buffer (QIAGEN), and processed using RNeasy Micro kits with on-column DNase digestion as per the manufacturer's instructions. Integrity of RNA samples was quality-checked using a 2100 Bioanalyzer (Agilent). If possible, 300 ng of total RNA per sample was used as starting material for linear amplification (Illumina TotalPrep RNA amplification kit, Ambion), which involved synthesis of T7-linked double-stranded cDNA and 14 hrs of in-vitro transcription incorporating biotin-labeled nucleotides. Purified and labeled cRNA was then quality-checked on a 2100 Bioanalyser, and hybridized as biological or technical duplicates for 18 hrs onto MouseRef-8 v2 gene expression BeadChips (Illumina), following the manufacturer's instructions. After being washed, the chips were stained with streptavidin-Cy3 (GE Healthcare) and scanned using the iScan reader and accompanying software. 44 samples were analyzed. ESCm: OG2 male Embryonic Stem Cell, +/+ Oct4-GFP ES cells, 1 biological rep 11.5: 11.5 embryonic day PGC (Primordial Germ Cell), 2 biological reps 12.5F: 12.5 embryonic day female PGC (Primordial Germ Cell), 2 biological reps 13.5F: 13.5 embryonic day female PGC (Primordial Germ Cell), 2 biological reps 14.5F: 14.5 embryonic day female PGC (Primordial Germ Cell), 2 biological reps 15.5F: 15.5 embryonic day female PGC (Primordial Germ Cell), 2 biological reps 16.5F: 16.5 embryonic day female PGC (Primordial Germ Cell), 2 biological reps 17.5F: 17.5 embryonic day female PGC (Primordial Germ Cell), 2 biological reps 18.5F: 18.5 embryonic day female PGC (Primordial Germ Cell), 2 biological reps 12.5M: 12.5 embryonic day male PGC (Primordial Germ Cell), 2 biological reps 13.5M: 13.5 embryonic day male PGC (Primordial Germ Cell), 2 biological reps 14.5M: 14.5 embryonic day male PGC (Primordial Germ Cell), 2 biological reps 15.5M: 15.5 embryonic day male PGC (Primordial Germ Cell), 2 biological reps 16.5M: 16.5 embryonic day male PGC (Primordial Germ Cell), 2 biological reps 17.5M: 17.5 embryonic day male PGC (Primordial Germ Cell), 2 biological reps 18.5M: 18.5 embryonic day male PGC (Primordial Germ Cell), 2 biological reps 8M: 8 day after birth male PGC (Primordial Germ Cell), 2 biological reps 10M: 10 day after birth male PGC (Primordial Germ Cell), 2 biological reps 12M: 12 day after birth male PGC (Primordial Germ Cell), 2 biological reps 14M: 14 day after birth male PGC (Primordial Germ Cell), 1 biological rep 16M: 16 day after birth male PGC (Primordial Germ Cell), 2 biological reps 18M: 18 day after birth male PGC (Primordial Germ Cell), 2 biological reps 20M: 20 day after birth male PGC (Primordial Germ Cell), 2 biological reps
2010-11-16 | E-GEOD-23322 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:The genome of male germ cells is actively transcribed during spermatogenesis to produce phase-specific protein coding mRNAs and a considerable amount of different non-coding RNAs. Ribonucleoprotein (RNP) granule-mediated RNA regulation provides a powerful means to secure the quality and correct expression of the requisite transcripts. Haploid spermatids are characterized by a unique, unusually large cytoplasmic granule, the chromatoid body (CB), that emerges during the switch between the meiotic and post-meiotic phases of spermatogenesis. To better understand the role of the CB in male germ cell differentiation, we isolated CBs from mouse testes and revealed its full RNA and protein composition. We showed that the CB is mainly composed of RNA-binding proteins and other proteins involved RNA regulation. The CB was loaded with RNA, including pachytene piRNAs, a diverse set of mRNAs and a number of uncharacterized long non-coding transcripts. The CB was demonstrated to accumulate nascent RNA during all the steps of round spermatid differentiation. Our results revealed the CB as a large germ cell-specific RNP platform that is involved in the control of the highly complex transcriptome of haploid male germ cells. Transcriptome profling of purified chromatoid body, each steps of chromatoid body purification, and sortred round spermatid cells
2014-01-24 | E-GEOD-54286 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:The genome of male germ cells is actively transcribed during spermatogenesis to produce phase-specific protein coding mRNAs and a considerable amount of different non-coding RNAs. Ribonucleoprotein (RNP) granule-mediated RNA regulation provides a powerful means to secure the quality and correct expression of the requisite transcripts. Haploid spermatids are characterized by a unique, unusually large cytoplasmic granule, the chromatoid body (CB), that emerges during the switch between the meiotic and post-meiotic phases of spermatogenesis. To better understand the role of the CB in male germ cell differentiation, we isolated CBs from mouse testes and revealed its full RNA and protein composition. We showed that the CB is mainly composed of RNA-binding proteins and other proteins involved RNA regulation. The CB was loaded with RNA, including pachytene piRNAs, a diverse set of mRNAs and a number of uncharacterized long non-coding transcripts. The CB was demonstrated to accumulate nascent RNA during all the steps of round spermatid differentiation. Our results revealed the CB as a large germ cell -specific RNP platform that is involved in the control of the highly complex transcriptome of haploid male germ cells. Small RNA profiling of purified chromatoid body, each steps of chromatoid body purification, and sortred round spermatid cells
2014-01-24 | E-GEOD-54287 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:The in vitro derivation and propagation of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) is a key goal in reproductive science. We show here that when aggregated with embryonic testicular somatic cells (reconstituted testes), primordial germ cell-like cells (PGCLCs) induced from mouse embryonic stem cells differentiate into spermatogonia-like cells in vitro and are expandable as cells that resemble germline stem cells (GSCs), a primary cell line with SSC activity. Remarkably, GSC-like cells (GSCLCs), but not PGCLCs, colonize adult testes and, albeit less effectively than GSCs, contribute to spermatogenesis and fertile offspring. Whole-genome analyses reveal that GSCLCs exhibit aberrant methylation at vulnerable regulatory elements, including those critical for spermatogenesis, which may restrain their spermatogenic potential. Our study establishes a strategy for the in vitro derivation of SSC activity from PSCs, which, we propose, relies on faithful epigenomic regulation.
2016-12-06 | GSE87341 | GEO
Project description:The in vitro derivation and propagation of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) is a key goal in reproductive science. We show here that when aggregated with embryonic testicular somatic cells (reconstituted testes), primordial germ cell-like cells (PGCLCs) induced from mouse embryonic stem cells differentiate into spermatogonia-like cells in vitro and are expandable as cells that resemble germline stem cells (GSCs), a primary cell line with SSC activity. Remarkably, GSC-like cells (GSCLCs), but not PGCLCs, colonize adult testes and, albeit less effectively than GSCs, contribute to spermatogenesis and fertile offspring. Whole-genome analyses reveal that GSCLCs exhibit aberrant methylation at vulnerable regulatory elements, including those critical for spermatogenesis, which may restrain their spermatogenic potential. Our study establishes a strategy for the in vitro derivation of SSC activity from PSCs, which, we propose, relies on faithful epigenomic regulation.
2016-12-06 | GSE76245 | GEO