7 research outputs found

    Presumptive germ cells derived from mouse pluripotent somatic cell hybrids

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    The fusion of embryonic stem (ES) cells with differentiated somatic cells is an approach that reverses a somatic cell nucleus to a state of pluripotency. the resulting ES-somatic cell hybrids (ES-SCH) retain most of the properties of ES cells: differentiate into multiple cell types and have the ability to produce embryoid bodies (EB) and chimeras. However, it is still unknown whether ES-SCH will be able to complete the differentiation into germ cells (GC) in vitro similar to ES cells. Here, we show that near diploid ES-SCH, obtained by the fusion of mouse ES and spleen cells, were able to differentiate in vitro into presumptive GC. Differentiation of ES-SCH was induced through EB formation and by the addition of retinoic acid. Presumptive GC obtained reacted positively with anti-EMA, Vasa, Fragilis and Dazl antibodies and expressed GC-specific genes, such as Vasa, Stella, Dazl, Piwii 2, Tex 14, Bmp8b, Tdrd 1 and Rnf17. Fluorescent in situ hybridization analysis indicates chromosome reduction in the GC-like cells. Expression of meiotic and postmeiotic GC-specific genes such as Haprin, Acrosin, Scyp1, Scyp3 and Stra-8 were also detected. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed ES-SCH differentiation into presumptive GC. the presence of several autosomes and the X chromosome originated from the somatic'' partner did not prevent ES-SCH differentiation towards presumptive GC. Overall our study suggests an interesting in vitro model, which allows the study GC differentiation in reprogrammed somatic cells. (C) 2009 International Society of Differentiation. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Clinic of Andrology of São PauloFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Butantan Inst, Genet Lab, BR-05503900 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Genet & Morphol, BR-04023900 São Paulo, BrazilRoger Abdelmassih Human Reprod Clin & Res Ctr, BR-01431000 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Genet & Morphol, BR-04023900 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc
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