A study led by Toshihiro Kobayashi, a project associate professor in the division of mammalian embryology, demonstrated successful differentiation of rat pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) into primordial germ cells (PGCs), the founder cells for sperm and egg. The in vitro rat PGCs can mature in vivo into functional sperm capable of producing viable offspring. The study using the rat model will fill a gap in our understanding of germ cell development among mice and other mammals including humans, which is essential for broad application of in vitro gametogenesis. The study was published in “Science”(online) on 7 April 2022.
Summary from the paper
In vitro gametogenesis from PSCs has direct implications for animal breeding and reproductive medicine. Successful induction of PGCs from mouse PSCs was first achieved about a decade ago (Hayashi et al., Cell (2011)). Yet, obtaining functional gametes from in vitro PGCs had remained limited to the mouse. The research team led by Dr. Kobayashi extends this paradigm by demonstrating the induction of in vitro PGCs using rats, a leading animal model for biomedical research with physiological similarities to humans.A stepwise protocol mimicking the in vivo PGC specification process enables the production of rat PSC-derived PGCs in vitro. Notably, the researchers show that in vitro rat PGCs are capable of producing functional sperm upon transplantation into a germline-less rat, leading to birth of viable offspring. This is the first report showing PSC-derived PGCs pass the stringent criterion of producing viable offspring in a non-mouse mammal.
The novel finding will contribute to understanding fundamental mechanisms in pluripotency and germline development and help establish broad applicability for in vitro gametogenesis in various mammals including humans.
Original Article
Mami Oikawa†, Hisato Kobayashi, Makoto Sanbo, Naoaki Mizuno, Kenyu Iwatsuki, Tomoya Takashima, Keiko Yamauchi, Fumika Yoshida, Takuya Yamamoto, Takashi Shinohara, Hiromitsu Nakauchi, Kazuki Kurimoto, Masumi Hirabayashi*, Toshihiro Kobayashi†*（†Equal contribution, *Corresponding author）. 7 April 2022. Functional primordial germ cell-like cells from pluripotent stem cells in rats. Science.DOI: 10.1126 / science.abl4412
URL: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abl4412
Research Contact
Project Associate Professor KOBAYASHI ToshihiroDivision of Mammalian Embryology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo
Press officer Contact
Division for International Affairs office, The Institute of Medical Science,The University of Tokyo
http://www.ims.u-tokyo.ac.jp/imsut/en/
