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Updated: Jun 13, 2026
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Cell Surface Marker Mediated Purification of iPS Cell Intermediates from a Reprogrammable Mouse Model
Published on: September 6, 2014
Identification of an intermediate state as spermatogonial stem cells reprogram to multipotent cells
Hyung Joon Kim1, Hyun Jung Lee, Jung Jin Lim
1Fertility Center of CHA Gangnam Medical Center, College of Medicine, CHA University, Seoul, 135-081, Korea.
Molecules and Cells
|April 17, 2010
Summary
Researchers identified intermediate state SSCs (iSSCs) as a crucial step in establishing mouse SSC (mSSC) lines. These iSSCs represent a distinct transitional phase during cell reprogramming, offering insights into stem cell conversion mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Stem Cell Biology
- Reproductive Biology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are crucial for male fertility.
- Establishing stable SSC lines (mSSCs) is vital for research and therapeutic applications.
- Understanding the conversion process from SSCs to mSSCs is key.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the mechanisms underlying the establishment of mouse SSC (mSSC) lines from SSCs.
- To characterize the intermediate cell types involved in this conversion process.
- To identify potential models for studying cell reprogramming initiation.
Main Methods:
- In vitro culture of SSCs on MEF feeders.
- Passaging and morphological observation of cell colonies.
- Immunocytochemistry, FACS, RT-PCR, DNA methylation, and miRNA analyses for characterization.
- Comparison of SSCs, intermediate state SSCs (iSSCs), and mSSCs.
Main Results:
- Small, multilayer SSC clumps formed and were transferred to feeders.
- Small, round, monolayer colonies of iSSCs appeared after 2-3 passages.
- iSSCs proliferated slowly and maintained morphology over 9 passages.
- mSSC lines with ES-like morphology were established from iSSCs.
- iSSCs showed distinct expression patterns of pluripotency genes and miRNAs compared to SSCs and mSSCs.
Conclusions:
- iSSCs represent a morphologically distinct intermediate state during SSC to mSSC conversion.
- iSSCs possess characteristic gene and miRNA expression profiles.
- The identified iSSCs serve as a valuable model for studying cell reprogramming initiation.
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