TY - JOUR
T1 - In vivo dynamics of GFRα1-positive spermatogonia stimulated by GDNF signals using a bead transplantation assay
AU - Uchida, Aya
AU - Kishi, Kasane
AU - Aiyama, Yoshimi
AU - Miura, Kento
AU - Takase, Hinako M.
AU - Suzuki, Hitomi
AU - Kanai-Azuma, Masami
AU - Iwamori, Tokuko
AU - Kurohmaru, Masamichi
AU - Tsunekawa, Naoki
AU - Kanai, Yoshiakira
N1 - Funding Information:
The authors wish to thank Profs. Jeffrey Milbrandt and Hideki Enomoto for their providing GFRα1-GFP-knock-in mice, Drs. Yoshikazu Hirate, Hiroki Higashiyama, Hiroyuki Sumitomo, Yoshiko Kuroda for their helpful supports and advice, and Ms. Itsuko Yagihashi and Yuki Uchiyama for their secretarial support. This work was supported by Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research ( KAKENHI ) ( 16H01251 , 26114504 , 24228005 (Y.K.), 15K07688 (N.T.), 26114506 (T.I.), 15H04282 (M.K-A)).
Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 Elsevier Inc.
PY - 2016/8/5
Y1 - 2016/8/5
N2 - In mouse testes, spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), a subpopulation of GFRα1 (GDNF family receptor-α1)-positive spermatogonia, are widely distributed along the convoluted seminiferous tubules. The proliferation and differentiation of the SSCs are regulated in part by local expression of GDNF (glial cell-derived neurotorphic factor), one of major niche factors for SSCs. However, the in vivo dynamics of the GDNF-stimulated GFRα1-positive spermatogonia remains unclear. Here, we developed a simple method for transplanting DiI-labeled and GDNF-soaked beads into the mouse testicular interstitium. By using this method, we examined the dynamics of GFRα1-positive spermatogonia in the tubular walls close to the transplanted GDNF-soaked beads. The bead-derived GDNF signals were able to induce the stratified aggregate formation of GFRα1-positive undifferentiated spermatogonia by day 3 post-transplantation. Each aggregate consisted of tightly compacted Asingle and marginal Apaired–Aaligned GFRα1-positive spermatogonia and was surrounded by Aaligned GFRα1-negative spermatogonia at more advanced stages. These data not only provide in vivo evidence for the inductive roles of GDNF in forming a rapid aggregation of GFRα1-positive spermatogonia but also indicate the usefulness of this in vivo assay system of various growth factors for the stem/progenitor spermatogonia in mammalian spermatogenesis.
AB - In mouse testes, spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), a subpopulation of GFRα1 (GDNF family receptor-α1)-positive spermatogonia, are widely distributed along the convoluted seminiferous tubules. The proliferation and differentiation of the SSCs are regulated in part by local expression of GDNF (glial cell-derived neurotorphic factor), one of major niche factors for SSCs. However, the in vivo dynamics of the GDNF-stimulated GFRα1-positive spermatogonia remains unclear. Here, we developed a simple method for transplanting DiI-labeled and GDNF-soaked beads into the mouse testicular interstitium. By using this method, we examined the dynamics of GFRα1-positive spermatogonia in the tubular walls close to the transplanted GDNF-soaked beads. The bead-derived GDNF signals were able to induce the stratified aggregate formation of GFRα1-positive undifferentiated spermatogonia by day 3 post-transplantation. Each aggregate consisted of tightly compacted Asingle and marginal Apaired–Aaligned GFRα1-positive spermatogonia and was surrounded by Aaligned GFRα1-negative spermatogonia at more advanced stages. These data not only provide in vivo evidence for the inductive roles of GDNF in forming a rapid aggregation of GFRα1-positive spermatogonia but also indicate the usefulness of this in vivo assay system of various growth factors for the stem/progenitor spermatogonia in mammalian spermatogenesis.
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U2 - 10.1016/j.bbrc.2016.05.160
DO - 10.1016/j.bbrc.2016.05.160
M3 - Article
C2 - 27255992
AN - SCOPUS:84971673746
SN - 0006-291X
VL - 476
SP - 546
EP - 552
JO - Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
JF - Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
IS - 4
ER -