Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor regulation of genes essential for self-renewal of mouse spermatogonial stem cells is dependent on Src family kinase signaling

Self-renewal and differentiation by spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) is the foundation for continual spermatogenesis. SSC self-renewal is dependent on glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF); however, intracellular mechanisms stimulated by GDNF in SSCs are unknown. To investigate these mechanisms we utilized a culture system that maintains a mouse undifferentiated germ cell population enriched for self-renewing SSCs. In these cultures mRNA for the transcription factors Bcl6b, Erm, and Lhx1 are up-regulated by GDNF and decreased in its absence. The expression of all three molecules was further identified in undifferentiated spermatogonia in vivo. Using small interfering RNA to reduce expression and transplantation to quantify stem cell numbers, Bcl6b, Erm, and Lhx1 were shown to be important for SSC maintenance in vitro. Next, GDNF was shown to activate both Akt and Src family kinase (SFK) signaling in SSCs, and culture of SSCs with inhibitors to Akt or SFKs followed by transplantation analysis showed significant impairment of SSC maintenance in vitro. Apoptosis analysis revealed a significant increase in the percentage of apoptotic cells when Akt, but not SFK, signaling was impaired, indicating that multiple signaling pathways are responsible for SSC self-renewal and survival. Biochemical and gene expression experiments revealed that GDNF up-regulated expression of Bcl6b, Erm, and Lhx1 transcripts is dependent on SFK signaling. Overall, these data demonstrate that GDNF up-regulation of Bcl6b, Erm, and Lhx1 expression through SFK signaling is a key component of the intracellular mechanism for SSC self-renewal

Chemokine (C-X-C) Ligand 12 Facilitates Trafficking of Donor Spermatogonial Stem Cells

The chemokine (C-X-C) receptor type 4 (CXCR4) is an early marker of primordial germ cells (PGCs) essential for their migration and colonization of the gonads. In spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), the expression of CXCR4 is promoted by the self-renewal factor, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). Here, we demonstrate an important role of CXCR4 during donor mouse SSCs reoccupation of the endogenous niche in recipient testis. Silencing of CXCR4 expression in mouse SSCs dramatically reduced the number of donor stem cell-derived colonies, whereas colony morphology and spermatogenesis were comparable to controls. Inhibition of CXCR4 signaling using a small molecule inhibitor (AMD3100) during the critical window of homing also significantly lowered the efficiency of donor-derived SSCs to establish spermatogenic colonies in recipient mice; however, the self-renewal of SSCs was not affected by exposure to AMD3100. Rather, in vitro migration assays demonstrate the influence of CXCR4-CXCL12 signaling in promoting germ cell migration. Together, these studies suggest that CXCR4-CXCL12 signaling functions to promote homing of SSCs towards the stem cell niche and plays a critical role in reestablishing spermatogenesis

Regulation of Mouse Spermatogonial Stem Cell Differentiation by STAT3 Signaling

Homeostasis of many tissues is maintained by self-renewal and differentiation of stem cells. Spermatogenesis is one such system relying on the activity of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). Several key regulators of SSC self-renewal have been identified, yet knowledge of molecules that control SSC differentiation is undefined. In this study, we found that transient impairment of STAT3 signaling enhances SSC self-renewal in vitro without affecting general spermatogonial proliferation, indicating an alteration in the balance of SSC fate decisions that inhibited differentiation. Confirming this observation, short hairpin RNA-mediated stable reduction of STAT3 expression in cultured SSCs abolished their ability to differentiate beyond the undifferentiated spermatogonial stage following transplantation into recipient testes. Collectively, these results demonstrate that STAT3 promotes the differentiation of SSCs. In contrast, STAT3 plays a central role in maintaining self-renewal of mouse embryonic stem cells, and STAT signaling is essential for self-renewal of male germline stem cells in Drosophila

Identification of Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor-Regulated Genes Important for Spermatogonial Stem Cell Self-Renewal in the Rat1

Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) provide the foundation for spermatogenesis throughout the life of a male. Because SSCs of many species can colonize the mouse testis, and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is responsible for stimulating SSC self-renewal in rodents, we reasoned that molecular mechanisms of SSC self-renewal are similar across species. GDNF-regulated genes have been identified in mouse SSCs; however, downstream targets of GDNF are unknown in other species. The objective of this work was to identify GDNF-regulated genes in rat SSCs and to define the biological significance of these genes for rat SSC self-renewal. We conducted microarray analysis on cultured rat germ cells enriched for SSCs in the presence and absence of GDNF. Many GDNF-regulated genes were identified, most notably, Bcl6b and Etv5, which are important for mouse SSC self-renewal. Bcl6b was the most highly regulated gene in both the rat and mouse. Additionally, we identified three novel GDNF-regulated genes in rat SSCs: Bhlhe40, Hoxc4, and Tec. Small interfering RNA treatment for Bcl6b, Etv5, Bhlhe40, Hoxc4, and Tec resulted in a decrease in SSC number, as determined by transplantation, without a change in total cell number within the culture. These data indicate that, like in the mouse SSC, Bcl6b and Etv5 are important for rat SSC self-renewal, suggesting that these genes may be important for SSCs in all mammals. Furthermore, identification of three novel GDNF-regulated genes in the rat SSC extends our knowledge of SSC activity and broadens the foundation for understanding this process in higher species, including humans

Identifying genes important for spermatogonial stem cell self-renewal and survival

Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are the foundation for spermatogenesis and, thus, preservation of a species. Because of stem cell rarity, studying their self-renewal is greatly facilitated by in vitro culture of enriched biologically active cell populations. A recently developed culture method identified glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) as the essential growth factor that supports in vitro self-renewal of SSCs and results in an increase in their number. This system is a good model to study mechanisms of stem cell self-renewal because of the well defined culture conditions, enriched cell population, and available transplantation assay. By withdrawing and replacing GDNF in culture medium, we identified regulated expression of many genes by using microarray analysis. The expression levels of six of these genes were dramatically decreased by GDNF withdrawal and increased by GDNF replacement. To demonstrate the biological significance of the identified GDNF-regulated genes, we examined the importance of the most responsive of the six, bcl6b, a transcriptional repressor. By using siRNA to reduce transcript levels, Bcl6b was shown to be crucial for SSC maintenance in vitro. Moreover, evaluation of Bcl6b-null male testes revealed degeneration and/or absence of active spermatogenesis in 24 +/- 7% of seminiferous tubules. These data suggest that Bcl6b is an important molecule in SSC self-renewal and validate the biological relevance of the GDNF-regulated genes identified through microarray analysis. In addition, comparison of data generated in this study to other stem cell types suggests that self-renewal in SSCs is regulated by distinctly different molecular mechanisms