Gamete derivation from embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells or somatic cell nuclear transfer-derived embryonic stem cells: state of the art
Charles A. Easley
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Laboratory of Translational Cell Biology, Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, 615 Michael Street, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
B Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15108, USA.
C Magee Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh Development Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15108, USA.
D Corresponding author. Email: schattengp@upmc.edu
Reproduction, Fertility and Development 27(1) 89-92 https://doi.org/10.1071/RD14317
Published: 4 December 2014
Abstract
Generating gametes from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) has many scientific justifications and several biomedical rationales. Here, we consider several strategies for deriving gametes from PSCs from mice and primates (human and non-human) and their anticipated strengths, challenges and limitations. Although the ‘Weismann barrier’, which separates the mortal somatic cell lineages from the potentially immortal germline, has long existed, breakthroughs first in mice and now in humans are artificially creating germ cells from somatic cells. Spermatozoa with full reproductive viability establishing multiple generations of seemingly normal offspring have been reported in mice and, in humans, haploid spermatids with correct parent-of-origin imprints have been obtained. Similar progress with making oocytes has been published using mouse PSCs differentiated in vitro into primordial germ cells, which are then cultured after xenografting reconstructed artificial ovaries. Progress in making human oocytes artificially is proving challenging. The usefulness of these artificial gametes, from assessing environmental exposure toxicity to optimising medical treatments to prevent negative off-target effects on fertility, may prove invaluable, as may basic discoveries on the fundamental mechanisms of gametogenesis.
Additional keywords: embryonic stem cells, gametes, in vitro gametogenesis, iPS, scnt.
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