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Sci Rep. 2014 Sep 22;4:6432. doi: 10.1038/srep06432.

Human germ cell formation in xenotransplants of induced pluripotent stem cells carrying X chromosome aneuploidies.

Author information

1
1] Department of Genetics; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, CA, USA [2].
2
Department of Genetics; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, CA, USA.
3
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.

Abstract

Turner syndrome is caused by complete or partial loss of the second sex chromosome and is characterized by spontaneous fetal loss in >90% of conceptions. Survivors possess an array of somatic and germline clinical characteristics. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) offer an opportunity for insight into genetic requirements of the X chromosome linked to Turner syndrome. We derived iPSCs from Turner syndrome and control individuals and examined germ cell development as a function of X chromosome composition. We demonstrate that two X chromosomes are not necessary for reprogramming or maintenance of pluripotency and that there are minimal differences in gene expression, at the single cell level, linked to X chromosome aneuploidies. Formation of germ cells, as assessed in vivo through a murine xenotransplantation model, indicated that undifferentiated iPSCs, independent of X chromosome composition, are capable of forming germ-cell-like cells (GCLCs) in vivo. In combination with clinical data regarding infertility in women with X chromosome aneuploidies, results suggest that two intact X chromosomes are not required for human germ cell formation, qualitatively or quantitatively, but rather are likely to be required for maintenance of human germ cells to adulthood.

PMID:
25242416
PMCID:
PMC4170197
DOI:
10.1038/srep06432
[Indexed for MEDLINE]
Free PMC Article

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