Expression of pluripotent stem cell markers in the human fetal ovary

BACKGROUND Human primordial germ cells (PGCs) can give rise to pluripotent stem cells such as embryonal carcinoma cells (ECCs) and embryonic germ cells (EGCs). METHODS In order to determine whether PGCs express markers associated with pluripotency in EGCs and ECCs, the following study cross examines...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Human reproduction (Oxford) 2008-03, Vol.23 (3), p.589-599
Main Authors: Kerr, Candace L., Hill, Christine M., Blumenthal, Paul D., Gearhart, John D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alkaline Phosphatase - biosynthesis
Antigens, Surface - biosynthesis
Biological and medical sciences
Biomarkers - metabolism
embryonic germ cells
Female
fetal
Fetus - cytology
Glycosphingolipids - biosynthesis
Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics
human
Humans
In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
Lewis X Antigen - biosynthesis
Medical sciences
Octamer Transcription Factor-3 - biosynthesis
ovary
Ovary - cytology
Ovary - embryology
Pluripotent Stem Cells - metabolism
Pregnancy
primordial germ cells
Proteoglycans - biosynthesis
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit - biosynthesis
Stage-Specific Embryonic Antigens
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Summary:BACKGROUND Human primordial germ cells (PGCs) can give rise to pluripotent stem cells such as embryonal carcinoma cells (ECCs) and embryonic germ cells (EGCs). METHODS In order to determine whether PGCs express markers associated with pluripotency in EGCs and ECCs, the following study cross examines the expression patterns of multiple pluripotent markers in the human fetal ovary, 5.5–15 weeks post-fertilizaton (pF) and relates this expression with the ability to derive pluripotent EGCs in vitro. RESULTS Specific subpopulations were identified which included OCT4+/Nanog+/cKIT+/VASA+ PGCs and oogonia. Interestingly, these cells also expressed SSEA1 and alkaline phosphatase (AP) and SSEA4 expression occurred throughout the entire gonad. Isolation of SSEA1+ cells from the gonad resulted in AP+ EGC colony formation. The number of OCT4+ or Nanog+ expressing cells peaked by week 8 and then diminished after week 9 pF, as oogonia enter meiosis. In addition, the efficiency of EGC derivation was associated with the number of OCT4+ cells. TRA-1-60 and TRA-1-81 were only detected in the lining of the mesonephric ducts and occasionally in the gonad. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate that PGCs, a unipotent cell, express most, but not all, of the markers associated with pluripotent cells in the human fetal ovary.
ISSN:0268-1161
1460-2350
DOI:10.1093/humrep/dem411