Differentiation of human umblical cord mesenchymal stem cells into Leydig cells in the rat testis interstitium: An experimental study.
- Author:
Zhi-Yuan ZHANG
1
;
Kun LIU
2
;
Xiao-Yu XING
1
;
Guan-Qun JU
1
;
Liang ZHONG
1
;
Jie SUN
1
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords: Leydig cell; cell differentiation; human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell; rat; testicular microenvironment
- MeSH: Animals; Biomarkers; metabolism; Carbocyanines; Cell Differentiation; Cholesterol Side-Chain Cleavage Enzyme; metabolism; Feasibility Studies; Humans; Leydig Cells; cytology; metabolism; Male; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells; cytology; Rats; Testis; cytology; Time Factors; Umbilical Cord; cytology
- From: National Journal of Andrology 2016;22(8):680-685
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
ObjectiveTo explore the feasibility of inducing human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (HUMSCs) to differentiate into Leydig cells in the interstitial tissue of the rat testis.
METHODSHUMSCs were obtained by tissue blocks culture attachment and their purity and multi-lineage differentiation ability were verified by flow cytometry and chondrogenic/adipogenic/osteogenic differentiation. Then the HUMSCs were marked by CM-Dil and transplanted into the interstitial tissue of the rat testis. At 4 and 8 weeks after transplantation, the survival and differentiation status of the HUMSCs were observed by immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry. The suspension of the rat Leydig cells was obtained at 8 weeks for determining the expression of the Leydig cell marker 3β-HSD in the HUMSCs, the cells labeled with CM-Dil were sorted and cultured, and the medium collected after 3 days of culture for measurement of the testosterone level.
RESULTSThe expression of the Leydig cell marker CYPllal was not observed in the HUMSCs at 4 weeks but found at 8 weeks after transplantation and the differentiation rate of 3β-HSD was about 14.5% at 8 weeks. CM-Dil labeled cells survived after sorting and testosterone was detected in the medium.
CONCLUSIONSHUMSCs are likely to differentiate into Leydig cells in the interstitium of the rat testis.
