Abstract
BackgroundInjury of stem cell niches may disturb tissue homeostasis and regeneration coordinated by specific niche components. Yet, the mechanisms of stem cell niche restoration remain poorly understood. Herein, we examined the role of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) as pivotal regulators of stem cell niche recovery focusing on the effects of their secretome.MethodsThe spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) niche was selected as a model. SSC niches were injured by inducing abdominal cryptorchidism in rats. Briefly, testes of anesthetized rats were elevated into the abdominal cavity through the inguinal canal for 14 days. After descent of testes, MSC or MSC secretome treatment was applied to the animals by local subtunical injections.ResultsLocal administration of MSC or MSC secretome was sufficient to recover spermatogenesis and production of functional germ cells. The effects of MSC and their secreted components were comparable, leading to restoration of Sertoli cell pools and recovery of Leydig cell secretory functions.ConclusionOur data suggest that MSCs mimic the functions of lost supportive cells within the stem cell niche, transiently providing paracrine stimuli for target cells and triggering tissue regenerative processes after damage.
Highlights
Injury of stem cell niches may disturb tissue homeostasis and regeneration coordinated by specific niche components
Local injections of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) or MSC secretome recovered injured Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) niches To estimate the regenerative capacity of MSC and MSC secretome, we produced a model of injured SSC niches by imposing bilateral abdominal cryptorchidism on rats
We analyzed the effects of local MSC or MSC secretome injections to reveal whether MSCs act in a paracrine manner in SSC niches
Summary
Injury of stem cell niches may disturb tissue homeostasis and regeneration coordinated by specific niche components. The mechanisms of stem cell niche restoration remain poorly understood. We examined the role of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) as pivotal regulators of stem cell niche recovery focusing on the effects of their secretome. Adult stem cells in the microenvironments of stem cell niches are functional units of tissue homeostasis and regeneration. To participate in tissue renewal or restoration of injured tissue, resident quiescent stem cells must proliferate and differentiate into functional cells [3, 4]. Differentiation processes might depend on signals from stem cell niche components [5,6,7]. To guarantee sufficient tissue regeneration, coordinated niche restoration is a likely priority.
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