STUDY QUESTION What is the dynamics of expression of P-element induced wimpy testis-like (PIWIL) proteins in the germline during human fetal development and spermatogenesis? SUMMARY ANSWER PIWIL1, PIWIL2, PIWIL3 and PIWIL4 were expressed in a sex-specific fashion in human germ cells (GC) during development and adulthood. PIWILs showed a mutually exclusive pattern of subcellular localization. ...

Abstract Background Nano-fibrous scaffolds provide a three-dimensional matrix that guides sufficient orientation of seeded cells similar to natural niche. In this research, we designed silk scaffold improve the differention mouse spermatogonial stem spermatogenic cell lines. Spermatogonial were collected from neonatal (2–6 days) testes ( n =60) using two steps mechanical and enzymatic method. C...

PIWIL2, called HILI in humans, is a member of the PIWI subfamily. This subfamily has highly conserved PAZ and Piwi domains and is implicated in several critical functions, including embryonic development, stem-cell self-renewal, RNA silencing, and translational control. However, the underlying molecular mechanism remains largely unknown. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a secreted multif...

The present study aims to confirm and analyze germ-cell related patterns and specific gene expressions at a very early stage of cell commitment. Following the XY cytogenetic confirmation of the CCE mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) line, cells were cultured to form embrioid bodies (EBs). Expression pattern assessment of the Mvh, Stra8, α6 and β1 integrin genes in ESC and 1-3-day-old EB showed ...

OBJECTIVES Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from Wharton's jelly (WJ-MSCs) are now much more appealing for cell-based infertility therapy. Hence, WJ-MSCs differentiation toward germ layer cells for cell therapy purposes is currently under intensive study. MATERIALS AND METHODS MSCs were isolated from human Wharton's jelly and treated with BMP4, retinoic acid (RA) or co-cultured on human ...

Epigenetic changes are involved in a wide range of common human diseases. Although DNA methylation defects are known to be associated with male infertility in mice, their impact on human deficiency of sperm production has yet to be determined. We have assessed the global genomic DNA methylation profiles in human infertile male patients with spermatogenic disorders by using the Infinium Human Me...

Background The piwi family genes are highly conserved during evolution and play a crucial role in stem cell self-renewal, gametogenesis, and RNA interference in diverse organisms ranging from Arabidopsis to humans. Piwil2, also known as Hili, is one of the four human homologues of piwi. Piwil2 was found in germ cells of adult testis, suggesting that this gene functions in spermatogonial stem ce...