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First published online March 6, 2009

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First testis-specific niche factor identified

Male mammals produce spermatozoa throughout adult life from spermatogonial stem cells (SCCs). Like other adult stem cells, the self-renewal and differentiation of SSCs are supported by a `niche', but how does this special microenvironment control these essential SSC functions? Partly, suggest Ralph Brinster and colleagues, by producing colony stimulating factor 1 (Csf1), which acts as an extrinsic stimulator of mouse SSC self-renewal (see p. 1191). The researchers made their discovery by searching for genes that are more highly expressed in the SSC-enriched Thy1⁺ fraction of mouse pup testes than in the Thy1^- fraction. One gene with this pattern of expression encodes the Csf1 receptor. The researchers subsequently found that recombinant Csf1 enhances the self-renewal of mouse SCCs in vitro and that Csf1 expression in mouse testes is localised to Leydig and myoid cells. Together, these results identify Csf1 as a niche factor and suggest that Leydig and myoid cells contribute to SSC niche function in mammals.

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Colony stimulating factor 1 is an extrinsic stimulator of mouse spermatogonial stem cell self-renewal

Jon M. Oatley, Melissa J. Oatley, Mary R. Avarbock, John W. Tobias, and Ralph L. Brinster
Development 2009 136: 1191-1199. [Abstract] [Full Text]  

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Related articles in Development Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?