Projects per year
Abstract
The existence of a population of putative stem cells with germline developmental potential (oogonial stem cells: OSCs) in the adult mammalian ovary has been marked by controversy over isolation methodology and potential for in-vitro transformation, particularly where cell sorting has been based on expression of DEAD box polypeptide 4 (DDX4). This study describes a refined tissue dissociation/fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) protocol for the ovaries of adult women which results in increased cell viability and yield of putative OSCs. A FACS technique incorporating dual-detection of DDX4 with aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1) demonstrates the existence of two sub-populations of small DDX4-positive cells (approx. 7 µm diameter) with ALDH1 activity, distinguished by expression of differentially spliced DDX4 transcripts and of DAZL, a major regulator of germ cell differentiation. These may indicate stages of differentiation from a progenitor population and provide a likely explanation for the expression disparities reported previously. These findings provide a robust basis for the further characterisation of these cells, and exploration of their potential physiological roles and therapeutic application.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 6953 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Scientific Reports |
Volume | 8 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 3 May 2018 |
Keywords
- adult stem cells
- cell biology
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Dive into the research topics of 'Initial characterisation of adult human ovarian cell populations isolated by DDX4 expression and aldehyde dehydrogenase activity'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 1 Finished
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Developmental and meiotic potential of oocytes derived from human ovarian germ line stem cells (OSCs) in vitro
1/11/13 → 28/05/16
Project: Research
Profiles
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Evelyn Telfer
- School of Biological Sciences - Personal Chair in Reproductive Biology
Person: Academic: Research Active