The effect of Sertoli cell exosomes on spermatogonia stem cells differentiation

Abstract

Introduction: About 45–50% of infertility occurs because of men’s problems. Nowadays, stem cells are used to treat infertility. Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) with the capability of self-regeneration, differentiation, and the transfer of genetic data to the next generation have an essential efficacy in maintaining fertility. Sertoli cells (SCs) are influential in balancing SCC proliferation and differentiation. Considering the importance of SSCs in the infertility treatment, the present study sought to evaluate the differentiation impact of exosomes on SSCs in turning sperm.
Methods: SCs and SSCs of male mice were cultured based on the aim of the study. The identity of SCs came under immunocytochemistry scrutiny. The exosome was extracted from SCs using the kit. The scanning electron microscope and Western Blot technique were used to check the validity of the extracted exosome. Complementary DNA synthesis was performed after extracting RNA from treated SSCs. The VAZA, DAZ-L, Sycp3, and Haprin gene expression was evaluated using the real-time polymerase chain reaction method.
Results: The cells known as spermatogonia cells treated with exosomes tend to experience an increase in gene expression during the third and fourth weeks after being stimulated by exosomes obtained from SCs. Specifically, the significantly increased expression of the VAZA, DAZ-L, Sycp3, and Haprin genes suggested that these cells had entered the stage of spermatogenesis.
Conclusion: The results indicated the induction of SSCs by exosomes, confirming their capability to differentiate into sperm-like cells and express some genes related to the haploid index.

Keywords: Infertility, Stem cells, Sertoli cells, Exosome