Expression of stem cell markers: OCT4, KIT, ITGA6, and ITGB1 in the male germinal epithelium

Abstract

Efforts have been made for the isolation and characterization of human stem spermatogonia (SG) which would be of major interest for fertility preservation in oncologic patients. We evaluated the expression of mammalian SG stem cell markers, KIT, OCT4, integrin alpha 6 (ITGA6), and integrin beta 1 (ITGB1) as possible indicators for the isolation of those cells in humans. Two different types of SG were individually isolated by micromanipulation from testicular biopsies of men with conserved spermatogenesis. Expression of mRNA showed the absence of KIT and ITGB1 markers in SG. By immunocytochemistry (IC), protein expression for KIT and integrins revealed two types of SG populations, negative (type-1) and positive (type-2). By immunohistochemistry (IH), protein expression for KIT and ITGB1 also revealed two kinds of SG populations, negative (SG A-dark) and positive (SG A-pale). Results suggest that in humans it may be possible to obtain pure populations of stem SG by using negative KIT (-) /ITGB1 (-) sorting.

In Silico Identification of lncRNAs Regulating Sperm Motility in the Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo L.)

“…It is suggested that decreased expression of the NRP1 in Sertoli cells may inactivate VEGFA and thus ultimately hinder the establishment and proliferation of the spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), leading to an imbalance between undifferentiated spermatogonia self-renewal, differentiation and impaired spermatogenesis [ 51 ]. The SSCs may also be regulated by ITGB1 as an indirect way of response to androgens that involves interaction with E-cadherin on SSCs to regulate its fates [ 52 , 53 ]. Furthermore, SORBS1 is associated with the proper function of microtubules and cytoskeleton structure.…”

Toxic Effects of Orlistat and Green Tea Extract on Testes of Adult Albino Rats:(Comparative Study)

“…Also, Leon et al (2005) attributed some of the changes occurred in histoarchitecture due to mitochondrial dysfunction induced by oxidative stress and led to the release of cytochrome c and then caspase activation, which results in apoptotic cell death in germ and Sertoli cells. Moreover, dysfunctining Sertoli cells cannot secrete stem cell factor (SCF) and consequently decrease the expression of c-Kit protein receptors which are normally expressed by developing germ cells and considered as a strong marker of the germ cell population (Sá et al, 2013) which may be linked with the etiology of infertility (Figueira et al, 2014).…”

Follicle-stimulating hormone signaling in Sertoli cells: a licence to the early stages of spermatogenesis

“…Interestingly, in female mice, FSH can stimulate granulosa cells proliferation via inducing Octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4) expression [ 135 ]. OCT4 is also found to be expressed in human SCs [ 136 ]. Whether FSH signaling can promote human SCs proliferation via OCT4 is proposed to be investigated.…”