Abstract
Testis morphogenesis is a highly orchestrated process involving lineage determination of male germ cells and somatic cell types. Although the origin and differentiation of germ cells are known, the developmental course specific for each somatic cell lineage has not been clearly defined. Here, we construct a comprehensive map of somatic cell lineage progression in the mouse testis. Both supporting and interstitial cell lineages arise from WT1+ somatic progenitor pools in the gonadal primordium. A subpopulation of WT1+ progenitor cells acquire SOX9 expression and become Sertoli cells that form testis cords, whereas the remaining WT1+ cells contribute to progenitor cells in the testis interstitium. Interstitial progenitor cells diversify through the acquisition of HES1, an indication of Notch activation, at the onset of sex determination. HES1+ interstitial progenitors, through the action of Sertoli cell-derived Hedgehog signals, become positive for GLI1. The GLI1+ interstitial cells eventually develop into two cell lineages: steroid-producing fetal Leydig cells and non-steroidogenic cells. The fetal Leydig cell population is restricted by Notch2 signaling from the neighboring somatic cells. The non-steroidogenic progenitor cells retain their undifferentiated state during fetal stage and become adult Leydig cells in post-pubertal testis. These results provide the first lineage progression map that illustrates the sequential establishment of somatic cell populations during testis morphogenesis.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.