In Vitro and In Vivo Germ Line Potential of Stem Cells Derived from Newborn Mouse Skin
2011

Stem Cells from Newborn Mouse Skin Can Become Oocyte-Like Cells

Sample size: 4 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Dyce Paul W., Liu Jinghe, Tayade Chandrakant, Kidder Gerald M., Betts Dean H., Li Julang

Primary Institution: University of Guelph

Hypothesis

Do mouse skin-derived stem cells have germ cell potential similar to porcine skin-derived stem cells?

Conclusion

Newborn mouse skin-derived stem cells can differentiate into early oocyte-like cells in vitro and in vivo.

Supporting Evidence

  • 0.3% of freshly isolated skin cells were GFP+ before differentiation.
  • After differentiation, GFP+ cells increased to ∼7%.
  • GFP+ oocytes were identified in transplanted aggregates under the kidney capsule.

Takeaway

Scientists found that skin cells from baby mice can turn into cells that look like eggs, which could help us understand how eggs are made.

Methodology

Skin-derived stem cells were isolated from newborn mice and cultured in a defined medium to induce differentiation into oocyte-like cells.

Potential Biases

Potential bias in the interpretation of GFP expression as indicative of germ cell potential.

Limitations

The study did not confirm whether the oocyte-like cells could complete meiosis or develop into functional oocytes.

Participant Demographics

Newborn female transgenic mice.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0020339

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