Sertoli cell-mediated differentiation of male germ cell-like cells from human umbilical cord Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells in an in vitro co-culture system.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Microenvironment signals play a critical role in directing the differentiation of stem cells. Sertoli cells (SCs) provide a unique microenvironment that is essential for germ cell differentiation.

Methods

Our previous study has demonstrated that human umbilical cord Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (HUMSCs) could differentiate towards male germ cells in vitro, but HUMSC-derived germ-like cells expressed only few germ cell markers. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of SCs on the differentiation of HUMSCs towards male germ cells using a co-culture system that mimicked the in vivo male germ cell microenvironment.

Results

HUMSCs formed clump-like features on SC monolayers after seeding for 3 weeks. Differentiated cells formed rou

SUBMITTER: Xie L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4389972 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature