Follicular growth,differentiation and atresia

Only limited numbers of primordial follicles in mammalian ovary grow and differentiate to reach the stage of dominate follicles and ovulate. 99% of the follicles in the ovary undergo atresia at various stages of development.Regulation of follicular growth, development and atresia is a complex process and involves interactions between endocrine factors and intraovarian regulators. This review summarized: i ) FSH may not be a survival factor in regulating slow-growing preantral follicles. Some locally produced growth factors, activin and orphan receptors might play a more important role at this stage, ii ) Estrogen, activin/inhibin and follistatin coordinate with FSH to regulate and control follicle differentiation, iii) There are two types of follicular atresia induced by apoptosis which originates from GC or oocyte, respectively. Early translation of tPA mRNA into tPA protein in oocyte may be associated with oocytea apoptosis.     

Wnt-dependent de novo hair follicle regeneration in adult mouse skin after wounding

The mammalian hair follicle is a complex 'mini-organ' thought to form only during development; loss of an adult follicle is considered permanent. However, the possibility that hair follicles develop de novo following wounding was raised in studies on rabbits, mice and even humans fifty years ago. Subsequently, these observations were generally discounted because definitive evidence for follicular neogenesis was not presented. Here we show that, after wounding, hair follicles form de novo in genetically normal adult mice. The regenerated hair follicles establish a stem cell population, express known molecular markers of follicle differentiation, produce a hair shaft and progress through all stages of the hair follicle cycle. Lineage analysis demonstrated that the nascent follicles arise from epithelial cells outside of the hair follicle stem cell niche, suggesting that epidermal cells in the wound assume a hair follicle stem cell phenotype. Inhibition of Wnt signalling after re-epithelialization completely abrogates this wounding-induced folliculogenesis, whereas overexpression of Wnt ligand in the epidermis increases the number of regenerated hair follicles. These remarkable regenerative capabilities of the adult support the notion that wounding induces an embryonic phenotype in skin, and that this provides a window for manipulation of hair follicle neogenesis by Wnt proteins. These findings suggest treatments for wounds, hair loss and other degenerative skin disorders.     

HPRT-deficient (Lesch-Nyhan) mouse embryos derived from germline colonization by cultured cells

Embryonal stem (ES) cell lines, established in culture from peri-implantation mouse blastocysts, can colonize both the somatic and germ-cell lineages of chimaeric mice following injection into host blastocysts. Recently, ES cells with multiple integrations of retroviral sequences have been used to introduce these sequences into the germ-line of chimaeric mice, demonstrating an alternative to the microinjection of fertilized eggs for the production of transgenic mice. However, the properties of ES cells raise a unique possibility: that of using the techniques of somatic cell genetics to select cells with genetic modifications such as recessive mutations, and of introducing these mutations into the mouse germ line. Here we report the realization of this possibility by the selection in vitro of variant ES cells deficient in hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (HPRT; EC 2.4.2.8), their use to produce germline chimaeras resulting in female offspring heterozygous for HPRT-deficiency, and the generation of HPRT-deficient preimplantation embryos from these females. In human males, HPRT deficiency causes Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, which is characterized by mental retardation and self-mutilation.     

Abnormal sexual development in transgenic mice chronically expressing müllerian inhibiting substance

Müllerian inhibiting substance (MIS), also known as anti-Müllerian hormone, is a glycoprotein normally secreted by the Sertoli cells of the fetal and adult testis and by granulosa cells of the postnatal ovary. The production of MIS in the male fetus brings about the regression of the Müllerian ducts, the anlagen of the uterus, oviducts, and upper vagina. In addition, purified MIS induces the formation of seminiferous cord-like structures in fetal rat ovaries cultured in vitro, suggesting that MIS may influence testicular differentiation. We have produced transgenic mice chronically expressing human MIS under the control of the mouse metallothionein-1 promoter to investigate its role during sexual development. In females, chronic expression led to the inhibition of Müllerian duct differentiation, resulting in a blind vagina and no uterus or oviducts. At birth the ovaries had fewer germ cells than normal; during the next two weeks germ cells were lost and the somatic cells became organized into structures resembling seminiferous tubules. Apparently, these structures degenerate as they are undetectable in adult females. The majority of transgenic males developed normally. But in two lines with the highest levels of MIS expression, some males showed feminization of the external genitalia, impairment of Wolffian duct development, and undescended testes. These results suggest that MIS has several distinct roles in mammalian sexual development.     

不同发育时期小鼠卵巢腔前卵泡的分布及形态学研究

通过石蜡切片-HE染色技术,系统研究小鼠生后不同发育时期即3,5,7,10,15,20,30,45 d卵巢的卵泡分布、形态结构及发育规律.研究结果表明,随着小鼠卵巢的发育,由最初的无皮髓质之分到皮髓明显可见,卵泡从只见聚集呈条索状到发育成原始卵泡、初级卵泡、次级卵泡,直至有腔的形成.从数量上看,原始卵泡逐渐减少,初次级卵泡逐渐增多,有腔卵泡数量也从无到有从少到多.卵巢由最初的无卵泡发育到有许多大小不等、处于不同发育时期的卵泡、大部分有腔样结构.在此发育过程中会伴有卵泡的闭锁.小鼠卵巢中各级腔前卵泡的分布具有区域性.     

Generation of functional multipotent adult stem cells from GPR125+ germline progenitors

Adult mammalian testis is a source of pluripotent stem cells. However, the lack of specific surface markers has hampered identification and tracking of the unrecognized subset of germ cells that gives rise to multipotent cells. Although embryonic-like cells can be derived from adult testis cultures after only several weeks in vitro, it is not known whether adult self-renewing spermatogonia in long-term culture can generate such stem cells as well. Here, we show that highly proliferative adult spermatogonial progenitor cells (SPCs) can be efficiently obtained by cultivation on mitotically inactivated testicular feeders containing CD34+ stromal cells. SPCs exhibit testicular repopulating activity in vivo and maintain the ability in long-term culture to give rise to multipotent adult spermatogonial-derived stem cells (MASCs). Furthermore, both SPCs and MASCs express GPR125, an orphan adhesion-type G-protein-coupled receptor. In knock-in mice bearing a GPR125-beta-galactosidase (LacZ) fusion protein under control of the native Gpr125 promoter (GPR125-LacZ), expression in the testis was detected exclusively in spermatogonia and not in differentiated germ cells. Primary GPR125-LacZ SPC lines retained GPR125 expression, underwent clonal expansion, maintained the phenotype of germline stem cells, and reconstituted spermatogenesis in busulphan-treated mice. Long-term cultures of GPR125+ SPCs (GSPCs) also converted into GPR125+ MASC colonies. GPR125+ MASCs generated derivatives of the three germ layers and contributed to chimaeric embryos, with concomitant downregulation of GPR125 during differentiation into GPR125- cells. MASCs also differentiated into contractile cardiac tissue in vitro and formed functional blood vessels in vivo. Molecular bookmarking by GPR125 in the adult mouse and, ultimately, in the human testis could enrich for a population of SPCs for derivation of GPR125+ MASCs, which may be employed for genetic manipulation, tissue regeneration and revascularization of ischaemic organs.     

促性腺激素对小鼠腔前卵泡及其卵母细胞体外发育的影响研究

通过使用改良的TCM199无血清培养系统,在96孔细胞培养板中,每孔放入一个腔前卵泡等条件下,探索促性腺激素(FSH、LH)对小鼠腔前卵泡卵母细胞体外生长发育的影响,旨在摸索一套适合小鼠腔前卵泡体外生长发育的培养体系.结果表明:随着浓度的增加,卵泡和卵母细胞的直径都不同程度的有所增长,在卵泡培养的同期相比,卵泡增长值最大组为FSH400+LH200组,而卵母细胞增长值最大组却是FSH400组.从添加物上看,各个实验组与对照组之间,卵泡直径和卵母细胞直径增长值都存在显著性差异(P0.05).随着培养时间的延长,FSH400+LH200组卵泡存活率、成腔率表现为最高,分别为68.6%,47%.从卵泡发生生发泡破裂率和第一极体排出率来看,FSH400+LH200组发生生发泡破裂率高于其他组,为17.6%,但第一极体排出率却低于FSH400组.因此,改良的TCM199无血清基础培养液中联合添加400mIU/mL FSH和200mIU/ML LH效果优于单独添加组的效果.     

Localized requirement for torso-like expression in follicle cells for development of terminal anlagen of the Drosophila embryo

The torso (tor) gene, one of six identified maternal genes essential for the development of the anterior and posterior terminal structures in the Drosophila embryo, is likely to function as a transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase. Although tor protein is uniformly distributed in the membrane of the egg cell and syncytial embryo, genetic and molecular data suggest that tor is locally activated at the ends of the embryo by a ligand present in the perivitelline space. Local activation of tor could be achieved if the ligand were expressed by a subpopulation of the follicle cells that surround the developing oocyte. Here we describe torso-like (tsl), the sixth member of the terminal gene class, and show that it is unique among these genes in that its expression is required in the somatic follicle cells rather than in the germ line. Moreover, mosaic analysis demonstrates that tsl expression is necessary only in subpopulations of follicle cells located at the poles of the oocyte. Thus, the spatially regulated expression of tsl in the follicle cell layer may generate a localized signal that is transduced by tor, ultimately resulting in the formation of the terminal structures of the embryo.     

Follicles were reconstituted from dissociated mouse fetal ovarian cellsin vitro

Early folliculogenesis involved in the interaction of germ cells and somatic cells is a complicated physiological event. Female germ cells are committed to differentiate into oocytes and finish complete development in the functional units of follicles. Thus there will be great significance in basal research and practices to evaluate the possibility of ovarian cells to reconstitute into follicles in vitro. In the present research, 12-16 dpc (days post coitum) mouse fetal ovarian cells were respectively isolated using collagenase digestion and cultured in droplets in vitro. The results revealed that the fetal ovarian cells of 12-16 dpc appeared to form multiple cell aggregates and tissue-like pieces in vitro. However, 12-13 dpc ovarian cells failed to form the follicles. 14-15 dpc ovarian cells were competent to form a few follicle-like complexes. Furthermore many small typical follicles were reconstituted from 16 dpc ovarian cells in vitro. The results showed for the first time that mouse embryonic ovarian cells were able to form the follicles in vitro. It was a gradual progression for the female germ cells to achieve the ability to induce somatic cells differentiation and reconstitu-tion into follicles, which may directly lead to the success in reorganization and transplantation of genetically modified ovary in vitro.     

Germ-line transmission of genes introduced into cultured pluripotential cells by retroviral vector

Embryonic stem cells isolated directly from mouse embryos can be cultured for long periods in vitro and subsequently repopulate the germ line in chimaeric mice. During the culture period these embryonic cells are accessible for experimental genetic manipulation. Here we report the use of retroviral vectors to introduce exogenous DNA sequences into a stem-cell line and show that these modified cells contribute extensively to the somatic and germ-cell lineages in chimaeric mice. Compared with current methods for manipulation of the mouse genome, this approach has the advantage that powerful somatic-cell genetic techniques can be used to modify and to select cells with germ-line potential, allowing the derivation of transgenic strains with pre-determined genetic changes. We have by this means inserted many proviral vector sequences that provide new chromosomal molecular markers for linkage studies in the mouse and that also may cause insertional mutations.     

抗氧化剂对小鼠腔前卵泡及其卵母细胞体外发育的影响研究

通过使用改良的TCM199无血清培养系统,在96孔细胞培养板中,每孔放入一个腔前卵泡等条件下,探索添加物抗氧化剂维生素C对小鼠腔前卵泡卵母细胞体外生长发育的影响,旨在摸索一套适合小鼠腔前卵泡体外生长发育的培养体系.结果表明:随着浓度的增加,卵泡和卵母细胞的直径都不同程度地有所增长,其中50μg/m L浓度组在卵泡培养相同时间下,卵泡和卵母细胞的增长值相对于其他浓度组略大些,但各浓度组之间无论是卵泡直径增长值还是卵母细胞直径增长值都不存在显著性差异(P0.05).培养到第6天时,50和100μg/m L浓度组卵泡存活率最高,为59.5%,且50μg/m L浓度组第一极体排出率最高,为2.38%,但发生生发泡破裂率次于150μg/m L浓度组.可得结论:在改良的TCM199无血清培养系统中,添加50μg/m L维生素C有利于腔前卵泡卵母细胞的生长,而添加150μg/m L维生素C有利于生发泡破裂.     

蝇类卵巢染色体制备的新方法

以羽化后未交尾的雌性麻蝇为活体材料,通过“Feulgan预染——显微解剖悬液铺片——Giemsa复染法”获得形态良好、分散适中、着色清晰的卵泡细胞有丝分裂中期染色体标本。本法材料性别来源明确,对蝇类性染色体鉴定的准确性有重要意义。     

黄边糙鸟蛤生殖腺的组织学研究

采集黄边糙鸟蛤成年个体,并进行活体解剖和显微镜观察.结果表明:性成熟个体为雌雄两性功能同体存在的同步性雌雄同体.性腺由树枝状分枝的生殖管、输精管和输卵管组成.生殖管反复分枝成生精小管、生卵小管及其末端膨大的生殖泡囊.性腺由外膜及其内生精小管和生卵小管盘绕交错排列构成.外膜含单层上皮及薄层肌肉,生殖小管和泡囊皆由位于基膜上的生殖上皮构成,生殖上皮不断向腔内增殖各阶段生殖细胞.本文详细描述了精原细胞、卵原细胞、精母细胞、卵母细胞以及精子和卵子的形态结构.此外,还报道了极少数黄边糙鸟蛤性腺存在一些雄性滤泡转化为雌性滤泡现象.     

Abnormal gonad development in Kit W-2Bao mice caused by a Kit gene missense mutation

Kit ^W-2Bao mice are single-gene autosomal dominant mutation mice with a B6 background that were bred in our laboratory. Heterozygotes had morphological characteristics including albinism of the abdomen, extremities, and tail, whereas the homozygotes had albinism of the body, black eyes, and infertility. The homozygous mutants showed small, structurally abnormal gonads, and lacked germ cells. Heterozygous male mice lacked germ cells in some contorted seminiferous tubules. This mutation has been mapped at 43.8 cM from the centromere in chromosome 5 by linkage analysis and Kit has been identified as the candidate gene. After Kit full-length mRNA amplification, it was found that a G to T conversion at position 1228 in the ORF changed the 410th amino acid from V to F. This amino acid change could affect the protein’s secondary structure. Heterozygous mutant mice were intercrossed and homozygous mutant mice were bred and genotyped. We found that no primordial germ cells (PGCs) appeared in the urogenital ridge area at fetus day 11.5 in the homozygotes. The number of PGCs also significantly decreased in heterozygotes. At fetus day 15.5, the differentiation of the testis tubule structure was unclear; as well, they contained no spermatogonia. Female homozygotes contained no primordial follicles in the ovary. The numbers of PGCs and primordial follicles were significantly decreased in heterozygous mice. W ^?2Bao is the only mutated site in the extracellular 4th Ig-like domain and this mutant mouse model provides new material for the study of the mechanism of reproductive system development.     

Cyclic dermal BMP signalling regulates stem cell activation during hair regeneration

In the age of stem cell engineering it is critical to understand how stem cell activity is regulated during regeneration. Hairs are mini-organs that undergo cyclic regeneration throughout adult life, and are an important model for organ regeneration. Hair stem cells located in the follicle bulge are regulated by the surrounding microenvironment, or niche. The activation of such stem cells is cyclic, involving periodic beta-catenin activity. In the adult mouse, regeneration occurs in waves in a follicle population, implying coordination among adjacent follicles and the extrafollicular environment. Here we show that unexpected periodic expression of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (Bmp2) and Bmp4 in the dermis regulates this process. This BMP cycle is out of phase with the WNT/beta-catenin cycle, thus dividing the conventional telogen into new functional phases: one refractory and the other competent for hair regeneration, characterized by high and low BMP signalling, respectively. Overexpression of noggin, a BMP antagonist, in mouse skin resulted in a markedly shortened refractory phase and faster propagation of the regenerative wave. Transplantation of skin from this mutant onto a wild-type host showed that follicles in donor and host can affect their cycling behaviours mutually, with the outcome depending on the equilibrium of BMP activity in the dermis. Administration of BMP4 protein caused the competent region to become refractory. These results show that BMPs may be the long-sought 'chalone' inhibitors of hair growth postulated by classical experiments. Taken together, results presented in this study provide an example of hierarchical regulation of local organ stem cell homeostasis by the inter-organ macroenvironment. The expression of Bmp2 in subcutaneous adipocytes indicates physiological integration between these two thermo-regulatory organs. Our findings have practical importance for studies using mouse skin as a model for carcinogenesis, intra-cutaneous drug delivery and stem cell engineering studies, because they highlight the acute need to differentiate supportive versus inhibitory regions in the host skin.     

Generation of pluripotent stem cells from adult human testis

Human primordial germ cells and mouse neonatal and adult germline stem cells are pluripotent and show similar properties to embryonic stem cells. Here we report the successful establishment of human adult germline stem cells derived from spermatogonial cells of adult human testis. Cellular and molecular characterization of these cells revealed many similarities to human embryonic stem cells, and the germline stem cells produced teratomas after transplantation into immunodeficient mice. The human adult germline stem cells differentiated into various types of somatic cells of all three germ layers when grown under conditions used to induce the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells. We conclude that the generation of human adult germline stem cells from testicular biopsies may provide simple and non-controversial access to individual cell-based therapy without the ethical and immunological problems associated with human embryonic stem cells.     

川金丝猴卵巢的组织学研究

对２只川金丝猴的卵巢作了组织学观察，测量分析了卵泡和卵母细胞的生长发育过程及它们之间的相互关系：川金丝猴卵泡及卵母细胞具哺乳动物双相生长的共同特点，在生长过程中仅有少数优势卵泡被确定下来，其余卵泡均在不同时期成为闭锁卵泡；透明带出现在单层卵泡细胞呈矮柱状期，随卵泡及卵母细胞的增长，透明带缓慢增厚。