Project description:To understand the variations of spermatogonial stem cells among different seasons and ages in macaque, we performed scRNA-seq of seminiferous tubule in pre-pubertal, post-pubertal, and elderly rhesus monkeys in different reproductive seasons.
Project description:<p>Sertoli cell-only syndrome is severe form of human male infertility in which most seminiferous tubules appear to lack all spermatogenic cells, including spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). However, a few small tubule segments of some patients have active spermatogenesis and, thus, functional stem cell niches and SSCs. Normally SSCs replicate, migrate and refill adjacent empty niches, but this does not appear to occur in SCO syndrome. We hypothesized that this failure occurs because most niches are dysfunctional. As Sertoli cells are essential to formation of these niches, we used RNAseq to compare the transcriptomes of human testes with qualitatively normal (complete) spermatogenesis (n=4) with the transcriptomes of human testes with SCO syndrome (n=7). We then focused our analysis on the expression of transcripts that bioinformatic analyses identified as Sertoli cell signature transcripts. Results show that Sertoli cells in SCO testes express abnormally low levels of GDNF, FGF8 and BMP4, all of which are important regulators of mouse SSCs and/or progenitor spermatogonia. Sertoli cells in SCO testes express significantly reduced levels of transcripts for proteins that polarize the Sertoli cell plasma membrane and regulate the trafficking of cell adhesion and gap junction proteins in and out of that plasma membrane.</p>
Project description:Sry is sufficient to induce testis formation and subsequent male development of internal and external genitalia in chromosomally female mice and humans. In XX sex-reversed males such as XX/Sry-transgenic (XX/Sry) mice, however, testicular germ cells always disappear soon after birth due to germ cell autonomous defects. Therefore, it remains unclear whether or not Sry alone is sufficient to induce a fully functional testicular soma capable of supporting complete spermatogenesis in the XX body. Here we demonstrated that the testicular somatic environment of XX/Sry males is defective in the later phases of spermatogenesis. Spermatogonial transplantation analyses using XX/Sry male mice revealed that donor XY spermatogonia are capable of proliferating, entering meiosis and differentiating into the round spermatid stage. XY donor-derived round spermatids, however, were frequently detached from the XX/Sry seminiferous epithelia and underwent cell death, thereby preventing further progress beyond the elongated spermatid stage. In contrast, immature XY seminiferous tubule segments transplanted under XX/Sry testis capsules clearly displayed proper differentiation into elongated spermatids in the transplanted XY donor tubules. Microarray analysis of seminiferous tubules isolated from XX/Sry testes confirmed missing expression of several Y-linked genes and alterations in the expression profile of genes associated with spermatogenesis. Therefore, our findings indicate dysfunction of the somatic tubule components, probably Sertoli cells, of XX/Sry testes, supporting our hypothesis that Sry alone is insufficient to induce a fully functional Sertoli cell in XX mice. Experiment Overall Design: Whole testes and seminiferous tubules of XX/Sry and W/Wv males were used for microarray expression analysis using the Affymetrix GeneChip system (Affymetrix, CA). In order to isolate the seminiferous tubules, the tunica was carefully removed from the testes which were then incubated in the medium with 5 mg/ml collagnease at 37oC for 40 min. The remaining seminiferous tubules were washed several times with PBS using a 70-ºm cell strainer to remove interstitial cells. After total RNA was extracted using a RNeasy Mini Kit (Qiagen, Germantown, MD), double-stranded cDNA and biotin-labeled cRNA were synthesized using One-Cycle cDNA Synthesis and IVT Labeling kits (Affymetrix, CA), respectively. Twenty micrograms of fragmented biotin-labeled cRNA was hybridized to the Affymetrix Mouse Expression Array MOE 430A for 16 hr at 45oC. The chips were washed, stained, and then scanned with the GeneArray Scanner (Hewlett Packard, CA) in accordance with the manufacturer's standard protocols. Finally, the microarray data were analyzed using Microarray Suite ver. 5.0 (Affymetrix). Differential expression was defined as a difference of 2-fold or more in both whole testis and seminiferous tubule samples between two recipient males. Mouse 430A Affymetrix Genome Array IDs were used to query the NetAffx data mining tool for gene annotations.
Project description:Taking advantage of the tesco-cfp transgenic mouse line in which CFP is exclusively expressed in Sertoli cells under the control of a testis-specific enhancer (tesco), we established an embryonic stem cell from the mouse line (i.e. tcESC). We also created tcESC constitutively expressing mouse Sf1 transgene (tc;Sf1ESC). When we induced the differentiation of the two ESC lines into testicular somatic cell-like cells (TesLCs), tc;Sf1ESCs efficiently developed seminiferous tubule-like structures with the appearance of CFP-positive Setoli cell-like cells (SCLCs) in the tubules. On the other hand, epiblast-like cells (EpiLCs) were generated from ESCs having a germ cell-specific Prdm1-gfp transgene. Co-culture of tc;Sf1TesLCs with Prdm1-gfp EpiLCs resulted in self-organised aggregates, or testicular organoids. In the organoid, the EpiLCs differentiated into GFP-positive PGCLCs or gonocyte-like cells that were enclosed within a seminiferous tubule-like structure composed of CFP-positive SCLCs.
Project description:Purpose:Cultured cell lines are widely used for research in the physiology, pathophysiology, toxicology and pharmacology of the renal proximal tubule. The lines that are most appropriate for a given use depend on the genes expressed.We have used modern RNA-sequencing techniques to identify the gene expression profile of 14 different cell lines plus primary cultures of mouse proximal tubule and compare them to transcriptomes of native kidney proximal tubules. Methods: 14 different proximal tubule cell lines were grown on permeable supports under conditions specific for the respective lines. RNA-Seq followed standard procedures. Results and conclusion: Transcripts expressed in cell lines showed variable match to transcripts selectively expressed in native proximal tubule. Opossum kidney (OK) cells displayed the highest percentage match (45%) with pig kidney cells (LLC-PK1) close behind (39%). Much lower percentage matches were seen for various human lines including HK-2 cells (26%) and lines from rodent kidneys (18-23%).An online resource (https://esbl.nhlbi.nih.gov/JBrowse/KCT/) has been created for interrogation of the data.No cell line closely matched the transcriptome of native proximal tubule cells. However, some of the lines tested are suitable for the study of particular metabolic and transport processes seen in the proximal tubule.
Project description:To explore the function of Spry1 in testis, we constructed a mouse model with testicular specific KD of Spry1 through seminiferous tubule transplantation
Project description:To explore the potential function of Dmrt1 in spermatogenesis, we constructed a Dmrt1-deficiency mouse model by knockdown Dmrt1 in testicular seminiferous tubule specifically
Project description:Sry is sufficient to induce testis formation and subsequent male development of internal and external genitalia in chromosomally female mice and humans. In XX sex-reversed males such as XX/Sry-transgenic (XX/Sry) mice, however, testicular germ cells always disappear soon after birth due to germ cell autonomous defects. Therefore, it remains unclear whether or not Sry alone is sufficient to induce a fully functional testicular soma capable of supporting complete spermatogenesis in the XX body. Here we demonstrated that the testicular somatic environment of XX/Sry males is defective in the later phases of spermatogenesis. Spermatogonial transplantation analyses using XX/Sry male mice revealed that donor XY spermatogonia are capable of proliferating, entering meiosis and differentiating into the round spermatid stage. XY donor-derived round spermatids, however, were frequently detached from the XX/Sry seminiferous epithelia and underwent cell death, thereby preventing further progress beyond the elongated spermatid stage. In contrast, immature XY seminiferous tubule segments transplanted under XX/Sry testis capsules clearly displayed proper differentiation into elongated spermatids in the transplanted XY donor tubules. Microarray analysis of seminiferous tubules isolated from XX/Sry testes confirmed missing expression of several Y-linked genes and alterations in the expression profile of genes associated with spermatogenesis. Therefore, our findings indicate dysfunction of the somatic tubule components, probably Sertoli cells, of XX/Sry testes, supporting our hypothesis that Sry alone is insufficient to induce a fully functional Sertoli cell in XX mice. Keywords: comparative genomic hybridization
Project description:The human testis undergoes dramatic developmental and structural changes during puberty, including proliferation and maturation of niche/somatic cells, and the onset of spermatogenesis. Here, we profiled and analyzed single-cell transcriptomes of ~10,000 testicular cells from four boys spanning puberty, and compared to infants and adults. During puberty, undifferentiated spermatogonia first expand and then differentiate, prior to gametogenesis. Notably, we identify a common pre-pubertal progenitor for Leydig and myoid cells, and reveal candidate factors/pathways for pubertal differentiation. Furthermore, pre-pubertal Sertoli cells form two states that differ in mitochondrial/metabolic transcription, which converge to a single mature population during puberty. Roles for testosterone in Sertoli cell maturation, antimicrobial peptide secretion and spermatogonial differentiation are revealed through analyses of testosterone-suppressed transgender female testis and via in vitro seminiferous tubule culturing. Overall, our transcriptional atlas of the developing human testis provides major insights into developmental changes and key factors/pathways that accompany male puberty.