Nanos maintains germline stem cell self-renewal by preventing differentiation

Despite much progress in understanding how extrinsic signaling regulates stem cell self-renewal, little is known about how cell-autonomous gene regulation controls this process. In Drosophila ovaries, germline stem cells (GSCs) divide asymmetrically to produce daughter GSCs and cystoblasts, the latter of which develop into germline cysts. Here, we show that removing the translational repressor Nanos from either GSCs or their precursors, the primordial germ cells (PGCs), causes both cell types to differentiate into germline cysts. Thus, Nanos is essential for both establishing and maintaining GSCs by preventing their precocious entry into oogenesis. These functions are likely achieved by repressing the translation of differentiation factors in PGCs and GSCs.     

A vasculature-associated niche for undifferentiated spermatogonia in the mouse testis

Mammalian spermatogenesis produces numerous sperm for a long period based on a highly potent stem cell system, which relies on a special microenvironment, or niche, that has not yet been identified. In this study, using time-lapse imaging of green fluorescent protein-labeled undifferentiated spermatogonia (A(undiff)) and three-dimensional reconstitution, we revealed a biased localization of A(undiff) to the vascular network and accompanying Leydig and other interstitial cells, in intact testes. Differentiating spermatogonia left these niche regions and dispersed throughout the basal compartment of the seminiferous epithelium. Moreover, rearrangement of A(undiff) accompanied the vasculature alteration. We propose that the mammalian germline niche is established as a consequence of vasculature pattern formation. This is different from what is observed in Drosophila or Caenorhabditis elegans, which display developmentally specified niche structures within polarized gonads.     

Fat metabolism links germline stem cells and longevity in C. elegans

Fat metabolism, reproduction, and aging are intertwined regulatory axes; however, the mechanism by which they are coupled remains poorly understood. We found that germline stem cells (GSCs) actively modulate lipid hydrolysis in Caenorhabditis elegans, which in turn regulates longevity. GSC arrest promotes systemic lipolysis via induction of a specific fat lipase. Subsequently, fat mobilization is promoted and life span is prolonged. Constitutive expression of this lipase in fat storage tissue generates lean and long-lived animals. This lipase is a key factor in the lipid hydrolysis and increased longevity that are induced by decreased insulin signaling. These results suggest a link between C. elegans fat metabolism and longevity.     

Increased Wnt signaling during aging alters muscle stem cell fate and increases fibrosis

The regenerative potential of skeletal muscle declines with age, and this impairment is associated with an increase in tissue fibrosis. We show that muscle stem cells (satellite cells) from aged mice tend to convert from a myogenic to a fibrogenic lineage as they begin to proliferate and that this conversion is mediated by factors in the systemic environment of the old animals. We also show that this lineage conversion is associated with an activation of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway in aged myogenic progenitors and can be suppressed by Wnt inhibitors. Furthermore, components of serum from aged mice that bind to the Frizzled family of proteins, which are Wnt receptors, may account for the elevated Wnt signaling in aged cells. These results indicate that the Wnt signaling pathway may play a critical role in tissue-specific stem cell aging and an increase in tissue fibrosis with age.     

Stem cell self-renewal controlled by chromatin remodeling factors

The self-renewing ability of a stem cell is controlled by its specialized micro-environment or niche, whereas epigenetic regulation of gene expression by chromatin remodeling factors underlies cell fate determination. Here we report that the adenosine triphosphate-dependent chromatin remodeling factors ISWI and DOM control germline stem cell and somatic stem cell self-renewal in the Drosophila ovary, respectively. The iswi mutant germline stem cells are lost rapidly because of defects in responding to bone morphogenetic protein niche signals and in repressing differentiation, whereas the dom mutant somatic stem cells are lost because of defective self-renewal. This work demonstrates that different stem cell types can use different chromatin remodeling factors to control cell self-renewal.     

SMEDWI-2 is a PIWI-like protein that regulates planarian stem cells

We have identified two genes, smedwi-1 and smedwi-2, expressed in the dividing adult stem cells (neoblasts) of the planarian Schmidtea mediterranea. Both genes encode proteins that belong to the Argonaute/PIWI protein family and that share highest homology with those proteins defined by Drosophila PIWI. RNA interference (RNAi) of smedwi-2 blocks regeneration, even though neoblasts are present, irradiation-sensitive, and capable of proliferating in response to wounding; smedwi-2(RNAi) neoblast progeny migrate to sites of cell turnover but, unlike normal cells, fail at replacing aged tissue. We suggest that SMEDWI-2 functions within dividing neoblasts to support the generation of cells that promote regeneration and homeostasis.     

Reprogramming of the pig primordial germ cells into pluripotent stem cells: a brief review

Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are regarded as unipotent cells that can produce only either spermatogonia or oocytes. However, PGCs can be converted into the pluripotent state by first dedifferentiation to embryonic germ cells and then by reprogramming to induce them to become pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). These two stages can be completely implemented with mouse cells. However, authentic porcine iPSCs have not been established. Here, we discuss recent advances in the stem cell field for obtaining iPSCs from PGCs. This knowledge will provide some clues which will contribute to the regulation of reprogramming to pluripotency in farm species.     

Ectoderm to mesoderm lineage switching during axolotl tail regeneration

Foreign environments may induce adult stem cells to switch lineages and populate multiple tissue types, but whether this mechanism is used for tissue repair remains uncertain. Urodele amphibians can regenerate fully functional, multitissue structures including the limb and tail. To determine whether lineage switching is an integral feature of this regeneration, we followed individual spinal cord cells live during tail regeneration in the axolotl. Spinal cord cells frequently migrate into surrounding tissue to form regenerating muscle and cartilage. Thus, in axolotls, cells switch lineage during a real example of regeneration.     

Establishment and characterization of immortalized bovine male germline stem cell line

Male germline stem cells(m GSCs) are unique adult germ cells with self-renewal potential and spermatogenesis function in the testis.However,further studies are needed to establish a long-term cultural system of m GSCs in vitro,especially for large animals such as bovine m GSCs.In this study,we first established a stable immortalized bovine male germline stem cell line by transducing Simian virus 40(SV40) large T antigen.The proliferation of these cells was improved significantly.These cells could express spermatogonial stem cell(SSC)-specific markers,such as PLZF,PGP9.5,VASA,LIN28 A,and CD49 F,both in the m RNA and protein levels.Additionally,these cells could be differentiated into three germ layer cells to enter meiosis,form colonies,and proliferate in the seminiferous tubules of busulfan-induced infertile mice.The immortalized bovine m GSCs maintain the criteria of m GSCs.     

Direct control of germline stem cell division and cyst growth by neural insulin in Drosophila

Stem cells reside in specialized niches that provide signals required for their maintenance and division. Tissue-extrinsic signals can also modify stem cell activity, although this is poorly understood. Here, we report that neural-derived Drosophila insulin-like peptides (DILPs) directly regulate germline stem cell division rate, demonstrating that signals mediating the ovarian response to nutritional input can modify stem cell activity in a niche-independent manner. We also reveal a crucial direct role of DILPs in controlling germline cyst growth and vitellogenesis.     

Regulation of cell fate decision of undifferentiated spermatogonia by GDNF

The molecular control of self-renewal and differentiation of stem cells has remained enigmatic. Transgenic loss-of-function and overexpression models now show that the dosage of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), produced by Sertoli cells, regulates cell fate decisions of undifferentiated spermatogonial cells that include the stem cells for spermatogenesis. Gene-targeted mice with one GDNF-null allele show depletion of stem cell reserves, whereas mice overexpressing GDNF show accumulation of undifferentiated spermatogonia. They are unable to respond properly to differentiation signals and undergo apoptosis upon retinoic acid treatment. Nonmetastatic testicular tumors are regularly formed in older GDNF-overexpressing mice. Thus, GDNF contributes to paracrine regulation of spermatogonial self-renewal and differentiation.     

Male and female Drosophila germline stem cells: two versions of immortality

Drosophila male and female germline stem cells (GSCs) are sustained by niches and regulatory pathways whose common principles serve as models for understanding mammalian stem cells. Despite striking cellular and genetic similarities that suggest a common evolutionary origin, however, male and female GSCs also display important differences. Comparing these two stem cells and their niches in detail is likely to reveal how a common heritage has been adapted to the differing requirements of male and female gamete production.     

杉木愈伤组织及再生芽分化的细胞学观察

研究杉木愈伤组织形成及再生芽分化过程中的细胞组织发育规律,为建立杉木遗传转化体系提供科学依据。以杉木茎段为外植体,通过对组织培养条件下产生的愈伤组织进行体视显微镜和石蜡切片观察,分析愈伤组织的结构、形成及再生芽分化过程中的细胞组织变化规律。结果表明:愈伤组织先是由杉木茎段切口处表皮细胞分裂,再由维管束薄壁细胞通过脱分化逐渐形成的;愈伤组织在增殖期间分生细胞会形成不同维管组织;愈伤组织的再生芽分化是由愈伤组织的表皮分生细胞团先分化形成芽原基,再形成肉眼可见的再生芽;不定芽可从茎段直接分化形成,亦可通过愈伤组织再分化形成,两种不定芽发生方式均为外起源。     

牛精原干细胞研究进展

精原干细胞(spermatogonial stem cells,SSCs)是雄性生殖系干细胞,位于睾丸曲细精管基膜上,既具有自我更新潜能,又具有定向分化潜能,是自然状态下出生后动物体内在整个生命过程中进行自我更新并能将基因传递至子代的惟一成体干细胞。根据国内外最新相关进展,系统评述了牛SSCs的生物学特性、分离纯化、冷冻保存、体外培养、永生细胞系的建立及移植等方面的现状及问题。     

猪胚胎干细胞的分离培养

收集26-27d的猪胚胎分离原始生殖细胞(Primordial germ cells，PGCs)，培养在STO细胞饲养层上生长，形成EG细胞。EG细胞具有干细胞所具有的显著特性，形态，多能性和种系的延续，AKP染色阳性，并能在体外分化；分别将PGCs用三种不同的培养基培养，在形成EG细胞集落的数量和EG细胞分化上有着明显的差距，说明血清的质量和浓度以及细胞因子对干细胞的生成和增殖有着重要的作用。     

前列腺干细胞研究进展

干细胞是一种具有自我复制能力的多潜能细胞,具备多向分化潜能、自我更新、高度增殖的特性,具备再生各类人体器官以及人体的潜在能力,被医学界戏称为“全能细胞”。目前逐渐发现它在许多疾病的发生和治疗中发挥重大作用。近年研究发现前列腺内一样地存在着前列腺干细胞,在特定的环境中可以分化发育为前列腺组织,并与前列腺某些疾病有关。本文就有关前列腺干细胞相关文献研究进行综述。     

Redox regulation of germline and vulval development in Caenorhabditis elegans

In vitro studies have indicated that reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the oxidation of signaling molecules are important mediators of signal transduction. We have identified two pathways by which the altered redox chemistry of the clk-1 mutants of Caenorhabditis elegans acts in vivo on germline development. One pathway depends on the oxidation of an analog of vertebrate low density lipoprotein (LDL) and acts on the germline through the Ack-related tyrosine kinase (ARK-1) kinase and inositol trisphosphate (IP3) signaling. The other pathway is the oncogenic ras signaling pathway, whose action on germline as well as vulval development appears to be modulated by cytoplasmic ROS.     

Germline stem cells anchored by adherens junctions in the Drosophila ovary niches

How stem cells are recruited to and maintained in their niches is crucial to understanding their regulation and use in regenerative medicine. Here, we demonstrate that DE-cadherin-mediated cell adhesion is required for anchoring germline stem cells (GSCs) in their niches in the Drosophila ovary. Two major components of this adhesion process, DE-cadherin and Armadillo/beta-catenin, accumulate at high levels in the junctions between GSCs and cap cells, one of the niche components. Removal of these proteins from GSCs results in stem cell loss. Furthermore, DE-cadherin is required for recruiting GSCs to their niche. Our study demonstrates that anchorage of GSCs in their niche by DE-cadherin-mediated adhesion is important for stem cell maintenance and function.