1. Characterization and differentiation of CD51+ Stem Leydig cells in adult mouse testes.
- Author
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Chen, Panpan, Guan, Xiaoju, Zhao, Xingxing, Chen, Fenfen, Yang, Jianying, Wang, Yiyan, Hu, Yue, Lian, Qingquan, and Chen, Haolin
- Subjects
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LEYDIG cells , *STEM cells , *TESTIS , *SPERMATOGENESIS , *MICE - Abstract
It was reported previously that adult mouse stem Leydig cells (SLCs) express CD51 (integrin α-chain V). However, it is still unclear whether all CD51+ cells are SLCs. In the present study, we found that CD51+ cells can be classified into two sub-groups, a weakly-staining group (CD51+) and a strongly-staining group (CD51++). The CD51+ cells expressed common SLC marker genes, including Nestin, Pdgfra and Coup-tf2, while CD51++ cells did not express these genes. Instead, they expressed macrophage markers, such as F4/80, Cd115 and Tnfa. When these cells were induced to differentiate in vitro, the CD51+ cells, but not CD51++ cells, formed Leydig cells. Overall, our results showed that although SLCs expressed CD51, not all CD51-expressing cells are SLCs. The cells that expressed high levels of CD51 are actually macrophages. • CD51+ cells of adult mouse testes contain two sub-populations. • The weakly-positive CD51 expressing cells in adult mouse testes are stem Leydig cells. • The strongly-positive CD51 cells in adult mouse testes are macrophages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2019
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