An Embryonic and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Model for Ovarian Granulosa Cell Development and Steroidogenesis.

Reprod Sci
Authors
Keywords
Abstract

Embryoid bodies (EBs) can serve as a system for evaluating pluripotency, cellular differentiation, and tissue morphogenesis. In this study, we use EBs derived from mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) and human amniocyte-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (hAdiPSCs) as a model for ovarian granulosa cell (GC) development and steroidogenic cell commitment. We demonstrated that spontaneously differentiated murine EBs (mEBs) and human EBs (hEBs) displayed ovarian GC markers, such as aromatase (CYP19A1), FOXL2, AMHR2, FSHR, and GJA1. Comparative microarray analysis identified both shared and unique gene expression between mEBs and the maturing mouse ovary. Gene sets related to gonadogenesis, lipid metabolism, and ovarian development were significantly overrepresented in EBs. Of the 29 genes, 15 that were differentially regulated in steroidogenic mEBs displayed temporal expression changes between embryonic, postnatal, and mature ovarian tissues by polymerase chain reaction. Importantly, both mEBs and hEBs were capable of gonadotropin-responsive estradiol (E2) synthesis in vitro (217-759 pg/mL). Live fluorescence-activated cell sorting-sorted AMHR2 granulosa-like cells from mEBs continued to produce E2 after purification (15.3 pg/mL) and secreted significantly more E2 than AMHR2 cells (8.6 pg/mL, P .05). We conclude that spontaneously differentiated EBs of both mESC and hAdiPSC origin can serve as a biologically relevant model for ovarian GC differentiation and steroidogenic cell commitment. These cells should be further investigated for therapeutic uses, such as stem cell-based hormone replacement therapy and in vitro maturation of oocytes.

Year of Publication
2018
Journal
Reprod Sci
Volume
25
Issue
5
Pages
712-726
Date Published
2018 05
ISSN
1933-7205
DOI
10.1177/1933719117725814
PubMed ID
28854867
PubMed Central ID
PMC6344958
Links
Grant list
K12 HD001255 / HD / NICHD NIH HHS / United States
R01 EB015776 / EB / NIBIB NIH HHS / United States