Expression of pluripotent stem cell markers in the human fetal ovary

摘要: BACKGROUND Human primordial germ cells (PGCs) can give rise to pluripotent stem such as embryonal carcinoma (ECCs) and embryonic (EGCs). METHODS In order determine whether PGCs express markers associated with pluripotency in EGCs ECCs, the following study cross examines expression patterns of multiple human fetal ovary, 5.5-15 weeks post-fertilizaton (pF) relates this ability derive vitro. RESULTS Specific subpopulations were identified which included OCT4(+)/Nanog(+)/cKIT(+)/VASA(+) oogonia. Interestingly, these also expressed SSEA1 alkaline phosphatase (AP) SSEA4 occurred throughout entire gonad. Isolation SSEA1(+) from gonad resulted AP(+) EGC colony formation. The number OCT4(+) or Nanog(+) expressing peaked by week 8 then diminished after 9 pF, oogonia enter meiosis. addition, efficiency derivation was cells. TRA-1-60 TRA-1-81 only detected lining mesonephric ducts occasionally CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate that PGCs, a unipotent cell, most, but not all, ovary.