FGFR3 is expressed by human primordial germ cells and is repressed after meiotic initiation to form primordial oocytes
Journal
Stem Cell Reports
Journal Volume
17
Journal Issue
6
Start Page
1268
End Page
1278
ISSN
2213-6711
Date Issued
2022-06
Author(s)
Abstract
Human germ cell development is a highly regulated process beginning soon after embryo implantation with the specification of primordial germ cells (PGCs) and ending in adulthood with the differentiation of gametes. Here, we show that fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) is expressed by human PGCs during the first and second trimester, becoming repressed as PGCs differentiate into primordial oocytes. Using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) with antibodies that recognize FGFR3 followed by single-cell RNA sequencing, we show that isolating FGFR3-positive cells enriches for human PGCs. Taken together, FGFR3 could be used in future studies as a strategy to identify maturing PGCs in vitro.
Subjects
embryonic ovaries
embryonic testes
FACS
FGFR3
germ cells
PGCLCs
Publisher
Cell Press
Type
journal article