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Updated: Jun 19, 2026
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Serial Enrichment of Spermatogonial Stem and Progenitor Cells (SSCs) in Culture for Derivation of Long-term Adult Mouse SSC Lines
Published on: February 25, 2013
Embryonic stem cell-like cells derived from adult human testis.
S C Mizrak1, J V Chikhovskaya, H Sadri-Ardekani
1Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105, AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands. S.C.Mizrak@amc.uva.nl
Human Reproduction (Oxford, England)
|October 10, 2009
Summary
Researchers derived multipotent stem-like cells from adult human testis, offering an ethically acceptable alternative to human embryonic stem cells for regenerative medicine. These testis-derived cells show differentiation potential and are non-tumorigenic.
Area of Science:
- Stem cell biology
- Regenerative medicine
- Reproductive biology
Background:
- Human embryonic stem (hES) cells face significant drawbacks for regenerative medicine.
- Alternative multipotent cell sources are actively sought.
- Previous studies successfully derived ES-like cells from mouse testes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To derive and characterize ES-like cells from adult human testis.
- To evaluate the differentiation potential and tumorigenicity of these cells.
- To assess the feasibility of using adult human testis as a source for regenerative medicine.
Main Methods:
- Testicular tissue from four men undergoing castration was cultured.
- Colonies exhibiting ES-like morphology were selected and subcultured.
- Molecular, epigenetic, and functional characterization (in vitro differentiation, in vivo tumorigenicity) was performed.
Main Results:
- ES-like colonies were successfully derived from all four donors within 3-8 weeks.
- Derived cells expressed hES cell markers and differentiated into derivatives of all three germ layers.
- Testis-derived cells showed functional differentiation (insulin production, mineral deposition) and were non-tumorigenic in mice.
Conclusions:
- Multipotent ES-like cells can be established from adult human testis.
- These cells are ethically acceptable, easily accessible, non-tumorigenic, and autogenic.
- Adult human testis is a promising alternative source for stem cell therapies.
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