Human spermatagonial stem cells: A novel therapeutic hope for cardiac regeneration and repair?

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Kaomei Guan - , Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Göttingen, University of Göttingen (Author)
  • I. Fen Cheng - , University of Göttingen (Author)
  • Maryam Baazm - , University of Göttingen, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (Author)

Abstract

Although the identification and characterization of human spermatogonial stem cells was reported nearly 50 years ago, great progress has been made only in the last few years. Spermatogonial stem cells attract a great deal of researchers’ attention because of their unique characteristics, including the ability to be converted spontaneously into pluripotent germline stem cells with embryonic stem cell-like properties. Pluripotent stem cells are able to differentiate into any desired cell type in the body; therefore, they are the most promising cell source for organ regeneration. The advantages of pluripotent germline stem cells over other stem cells are that they maintain a high degree of DNA integrity and can resolve some ethical and immunological problems related to human embryonic stem cells. In this article we address the origin, characteristics and pluripotency of spermatogonial stem cells. Their contribution to stem cell-based organ regeneration therapy with special emphasis on cardiac regeneration and repair in the future is also discussed.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)39-51
Number of pages13
JournalFuture Cardiology
Volume8
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2012
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 22185445

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

Keywords

  • cardiac differentiation, germline stem cells, heart regeneration, human, mouse, pluripotency, spermatogonial stem cells, testis