VEGFA family isoforms regulate spermatogonial stem cell homeostasis in vivo.

ABSTRACT: The objective of the present study was to investigate vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) isoform regulation of cell fate decisions of spermatogonial stem cells (SSC) in vivo. The expression pattern and cell-specific distribution of VEGF isoforms, receptors, and coreceptors during testis development postnatal d 1-180 suggest a nonvascular function for VEGF regulation of early germ cell homeostasis. Populations of undifferentiated spermatogonia present shortly after birth were positive for VEGF receptor activation as demonstrated by immunohistochemical analysis. Thus, we hypothesized that proangiogenic isoforms of VEGF (VEGFA(164)) stimulate SSC self-renewal, whereas antiangiogenic isoforms of VEGF (VEGFA(165)b) induce differentiation of SSC. To test this hypothesis, we used transp

SUBMITTER: Caires KC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3275389 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature