Reconstituted ovaries self-assemble without an ovarian surface epithelium
Journal
Stem Cell Reports
Journal Volume
18
Journal Issue
11
Start Page
2190
End Page
2202
ISSN
2213-6711
Date Issued
2023-11
Author(s)
Sosa, Enrique
Mumu, Sinthia Kabir
Alvarado, Christian C.
Wu, Qiu Ya
Roberson, Isaias
Espinoza, Alejandro
Saito, Kaori
Hunt, Timothy J.
Faith, Jared E.
Lowe, Matthew G.
DiRusso, Jonathan A.
Clark, Amander T.
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) stem cell models of the ovary have the potential to benefit women's reproductive health research. One such model, the reconstituted ovary (rOvary) self-assembles with pluripotent stem cell-derived germ cells creating a 3D ovarian mimic competent to support the differentiation of functional oocytes inside follicles. In this study, we evaluated the cellular composition of the rOvary revealing the capacity to generate multiple follicles surrounded by NR2F2+ stroma cells. However, the rOvary does not develop a surface epithelium, the source of second-wave pre-granulosa cells, or steroidogenic theca. Therefore, the rOvary models represent the self-assembly of activated follicles in a pre-pubertal ovary poised but not yet competent for hormone production.
Subjects
follicles
germ cells
iPSCs
ovary
reconstituted ovary
self-assembly
Publisher
Cell Press
Type
journal article