Transitioning from human primordial germ cells to embryonic germ cells
Kenyu Iwatsuki1, Yasuhiro Takashima1
1Department of Life Science Frontiers, CiRA, Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan.
Stem Cell Reports
|December 27, 2025
Summary
Researchers derived human embryonic germ cell-like cells from primordial germ cells. Multi-omic profiling revealed insights into pluripotency, epigenetics, and human germ cell tumor development.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Stem Cell Biology
- Cancer Biology
Background:
- Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are precursors to germline cells.
- Rodent PGCs can be reprogrammed into pluripotent embryonic germ cells (EGCs).
- Human PGCs have limited potential for derivation into pluripotent stem cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To derive human EGC-like cells from PGC-like cells.
- To characterize the pluripotent and epigenetic dynamics of these cells.
- To gain insights into human germ cell tumorigenesis.
Main Methods:
- Derivation of human EGC-like cells from PGC-like cells.
- Comprehensive multi-omic profiling (genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics).
- Analysis of pluripotency markers and epigenetic modifications.
Main Results:
- Successful derivation of human EGC-like cells.
- Detailed resolution of their pluripotent state and epigenetic dynamics.
- Identification of potential mechanisms relevant to human germ cell tumors.
Conclusions:
- Human PGC-like cells can be reprogrammed into EGC-like cells.
- Multi-omic data provides a dynamic view of pluripotency and epigenetics.
- Findings offer new perspectives on human germ cell tumor development.
Related Concept Videos
01:10Zygotic Development And Stem Cell Formation
6.4K
The development of all multicellular organisms starts with the fusion of haploid cells called sperm and egg to form a diploid zygote. A zygote is a totipotent cell that can develop into a complete organism. The zygote undergoes cell division or cleavage to form an 8-cell mass. Until this stage, the cells are spherical, loosely attached, and remain totipotent. Totipotent cells are capable of developing both the embryonic and the extraembryonic tissues. However, as they continue to divide, they...
6.4K
01:33Cleavage and Blastulation
49.6K
After a large-single-celled zygote is produced via fertilization, the process of cleavage occurs while zygotes travel through the uterine tube. Cleavage is a mitotic cell division that does not result in growth. With each round of successive cell division, daughter cells get increasingly smaller.
49.6K
01:56Gastrulation
65.6K
Gastrulation establishes the three primary tissues of an embryo: the ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. This developmental process relies on a series of intricate cellular movements, which in humans transforms a flat, “bilaminar disc” composed of two cell sheets into a three-tiered structure. In the resulting embryo, the endoderm serves as the bottom layer, and stacked directly above it is the intermediate mesoderm, and then the uppermost ectoderm. Respectively, these tissue strata...
65.6K
01:41Spermatogenesis
121.2K
Spermatogenesis is the process by which haploid sperm cells are produced in the male testes. It starts with stem cells located close to the outer rim of seminiferous tubules. These spermatogonial stem cells divide asymmetrically to give rise to additional stem cells (meaning that these structures “self-renew”), as well as sperm progenitors, called spermatocytes. Importantly, this method of asymmetric mitotic division maintains a population of spermatogonial stem cells in the male...
121.2K
01:22Spermatogenesis
8.7K
Spermatogenesis is a complex process that involves the development of sperm cells from undifferentiated stem cells in the seminiferous tubules of the testes. The process is essential for the production of mature and functional sperm cells that are capable of fertilizing an egg.
The process of spermatogenesis can be divided into mitosis, meiosis, and spermiogenesis. During mitosis, the spermatogonia or stem cells divide to produce two identical daughter cells, type A and B spermatogonia. Type-A...
The process of spermatogenesis can be divided into mitosis, meiosis, and spermiogenesis. During mitosis, the spermatogonia or stem cells divide to produce two identical daughter cells, type A and B spermatogonia. Type-A...
8.7K
02:07Oogenesis
68.8K
In human women, oogenesis produces one mature egg cell or ovum for every precursor cell that enters meiosis. This process differs in two unique ways from the equivalent procedure of spermatogenesis in males. First, meiotic divisions during oogenesis are asymmetric, meaning that a large oocyte (containing most of the cytoplasm) and minor polar body are produced as a result of meiosis I, and again following meiosis II. Since only oocytes will go on to form embryos if fertilized, this unequal...
68.8K