精原干细胞(spermatogonial stem cells,SSCs)是体内自然状态下惟一能将遗传信息传至子代的成体干细胞,它们能通过维持自我更新和分化的稳定从而保证雄性生命过程中精子发生的持续进行。了解SSCs自我更新和分化的调节机制有助于阐明精子发生机理,并为探究其他组织中成体干细胞增殖分化的调节机制提供依据。然而目前对于SSCs自我更新和分化的调控机制所知甚少。SSCs的更新与分化遵循特定模式,受以睾丸支持细胞为主要成分的微环境及各种内分泌因素如胶质细胞源神经营养因子(GDNF)、维生素、Ets转录因子ERM/Etv5等的调控。本文评述了SSCs更新与分化的模式以及上述因素对其更新、分化的调控,探讨了其中可能涉及的信号通路,以期为本领域及其他成体干细胞相关研究提供借鉴。
Naturally,spermatogonial stem cells(SSCs) are the only adult stem cells in the body,which can transfer genetic information into offspring.They maintain the continuous spermatogenesis by balancing their self-renewal and differentiation through the male life.Understanding of the modulation of SSCs self-renewal and differentiation is great beneficial to elucidate the mechanisms of spermatogenesis,and will provide useful information for the proliferation and differentiation investigation of other adult stem cells.However,little is known upon the mechanisms that govern SSCs self-renewal and differentiation,up to now.Accumulated evidences indicate that the self-renewal and differentiation of SSCs follow specific models,and are comprehensively regulated by SSCs microenvironment/niche constituted mainly with Sertoli cells,endocrine factors including glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor(GDNF),vitamine,Ets transcriptional factor ERM/Etv5.By reviewing the recent related reports,here we discussed the models,the effects of those factors mentioned above,and the possible signaling pathways regarding SSCs self-renewal and differentiation,with a hope that this information will be helpful for the researchers both in SSCs field and other stem cell fields.