Human artificial oocytes from patients' somatic cells: past, present and future

Area of Science:

• Reproductive biology
• Stem cell science
• Genetics

Background:

• Generating functional human oocytes from somatic cells has been explored since the early 2000s.
• Early attempts using somatic cell nuclear transfer showed promise but were halted due to adverse outcomes in mouse models.
• Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, successful in mice, failed to progress beyond the oogonium stage in humans.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review strategies for generating artificial oocytes for women lacking healthy oocytes.
• To explore the potential of using a patient's own somatic cells for creating genetically related offspring.
• To discuss the challenges and future directions in artificial oocyte generation.

Main Methods:

• Review of historical attempts at somatic cell nuclear transfer for oocyte generation.
• Analysis of induced pluripotent stem cell-based oogenesis in human and animal models.
• Discussion of the dual requirements for DNA haploidization and reprogramming of somatic cells.

Main Results:

• Somatic cell nuclear transfer in humans requires further investigation due to past issues in mouse models.
• Human iPS cell-derived oogenesis does not advance beyond the oogonium stage.
• Enucleated donor oocytes may be necessary for creating fertilizable human oocytes from somatic DNA.

Conclusions:

• Artificial oocytes derived from a patient's own somatic cells represent a crucial option for fertility.
• Overcoming challenges in DNA reprogramming and haploidization is essential for successful artificial oocyte development.
• Further research is needed to optimize strategies for generating viable human oocytes from somatic cells.