Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 8
Stem Cell Niche System in Mouse
Spermatogenesis
Shosei Yoshida
Abstract
Mammalian spermatogenesis endures on the persistent activity of stem
cells, i.e., their self-renewal and production of differentiating progeny. The normal
functioning of stem cells explicitly requires a particular microenvironment within
the tissue -
the stem cell niche
- as an indispensable element. While the mammalian
spermatogenic stem cell niche system remains to be fully elucidated, recent knowl-
edge has improved our understanding of the nature of stem cells and their niche
and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Our improved knowledge encompasses
the functional identification of stem cells, anatomical implications of the stem cell
niche in relation to blood vessels, and identification of several molecular mecha-
nisms involved in stem cell regulation. In this chapter, these findings are summa-
rized along with the historical background, with an emphasis on the stem cell niche.
For describing the characteristic features of the mammalian system, comparison
with those of the
Drosophila
germline stem cell system will be helpful.
Keywords
Niche • Stem cells • Spermatogonia • Seminiferous tubules • Blood
vessels
8.1
Introduction
Mammalian spermatogenesis is supported by the persistence of stem cells that
achieve self-renewal and production of progeny differentiating into sperm. In general,
stem cells ensure the homeostasis and regeneration of a tissue during adulthood.
S. Yoshida (
*
)
Division of Germ Cell Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes
of National Sciences
and
Department of Basic Biology, School of Life Science, Graduate University for Advanced Studies
(SOKENDAI), 5-1, Higashiyama, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan
e-mail: shosei@nibb.ac.jp
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