Research advances in the regulation of the putative ovarian germline stem cell niche on female germline stem cells

This review addresses current understanding of the germline stem cell niche unit in mammalian testes. Spermatogenesis is a classic model of tissue-specific stem cell function relying on self-renewal and differentiation of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). These fate decisions are influenced by a niche microenvironment composed of a growth factor milieu that is provided by several testis somatic support cell populations. Investigations over the last two decades have identified key determinants of the SSC niche including cytokines that regulate SSC functions and support cells providing these factors, adhesion molecules that influence SSC homing, and developmental heterogeneity of the niche during postnatal aging. Emerging evidence suggests that Sertoli cells are a key support cell population influencing the formation and function of niches by secreting soluble factors and possibly orchestrating contributions of other support cells. Investigations with mice have shown that niche influence on SSC proliferation differs during early postnatal development and adulthood. Moreover, there is mounting evidence of an age-related decline in niche function, which is likely influenced by systemic factors. Defining the attributes of stem cell niches is key to developing methods to utilize these cells for regenerative medicine. The SSC population and associated niche comprise a valuable model system for study that provides fundamental knowledge about the biology of tissue-specific stem cells and their capacity to sustain homeostasis of regenerating tissue lineages. While the stem cell is essential for maintenance of all self-renewing tissues and has received considerable attention, the role of niche cells is at least as important and may prove to be more receptive to modification in regenerative medicine.

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Generation of Inducible Gene-Switched GAL4 Expressed in the Drosophila Female Germline Stem Cell Niche

G3 Genes|Genome|Genetics ◽

10.1534/g3.119.400246 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. g3.400246.2019 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Yi-Teng Ke ◽

Hwei-Jan Hsu

Keyword(s):

Stem Cell ◽

Stem Cell Niche ◽

Germline Stem Cell ◽

Cell Niche ◽

Germline Stem Cell Niche ◽

Female Germline ◽

Inducible Gene

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Somatic CG6015 mediates cyst stem cell maintenance and germline stem cell differentiation via EGFR signaling in Drosophila testes

Cell Death Discovery ◽

10.1038/s41420-021-00452-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Qianwen Zheng ◽

Xia Chen ◽

Chen Qiao ◽

Min Wang ◽

Wanyin Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stem Cells ◽

Stem Cell ◽

Stem Cell Niche ◽

Stem Cell Differentiation ◽

Germline Stem Cell ◽

Germline Stem Cells ◽

Egfr Signaling ◽

Extrinsic Factors ◽

Cell Niche ◽

Underlying Mechanisms

AbstractStem cell niche is regulated by intrinsic and extrinsic factors. In the Drosophila testis, cyst stem cells (CySCs) support the differentiation of germline stem cells (GSCs). However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we found that somatic CG6015 is required for CySC maintenance and GSC differentiation in a Drosophila model. Knockdown of CG6015 in CySCs caused aberrant activation of dpERK in undifferentiated germ cells in the Drosophila testis, and disruption of key downstream targets of EGFR signaling (Dsor1 and rl) in CySCs results in a phenotype resembling that of CG6015 knockdown. CG6015, Dsor1, and rl are essential for the survival of Drosophila cell line Schneider 2 (S2) cells. Our data showed that somatic CG6015 regulates CySC maintenance and GSC differentiation via EGFR signaling, and inhibits aberrant activation of germline dpERK signals. These findings indicate regulatory mechanisms of stem cell niche homeostasis in the Drosophila testis.

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