In Vitro Gamete Differentiation from Pluripotent Stem Cells as a Promising Therapy for Infertility.

Abstract

Generation of gametes derived in vitro from pluripotent stem cells holds promising prospects for future reproductive applications. Indeed, it provides information on molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying germ cell (GC) development and could offer a new potential treatment for infertility. Great progress has been made in derivation of gametes from embryonic stem cells, despite ethical issues. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) technology allows the reprogramming of a differentiated somatic cell, possibly emanating from the patient, into a pluripotent state. With the emergence of iPSCs, several studies created primordial GC stage to mature gamete-like cells in vitro in mice and humans. Recent findings in GC derivation suggest that in mice, functional gametes can be generated in vitro. This strengthens the idea that it might be possible in the future to generate functional human sperm and oocytes from pluripotent stem cells in culture.

• Authors: Aurélie Mouka, Gérard Tachdjian, Joëlle Dupont, Loïc Drévillon, Lucie Tosca
• Journal: Stem cells and development (Stem Cells Dev) Vol. 25 Issue 7 Pg. 509-21 (Apr 01 2016) ISSN: 1557-8534 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 26873432 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Topics

• Animals
• Female
• Gametogenesis
• Humans
• Infertility (therapy)
• Male
• Pluripotent Stem Cells (cytology, metabolism)
• Stem Cell Transplantation