A cell-matrix interaction regulates the undifferentiated state and self-renewal capacity of avian primordial germ cells
Ichikawa, K.; Motoe, Y.; Watanabe, T.; Ezaki, R.; Matsuzaki, M.; Horiuchi, H.; McGrew, M. J.
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Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are lineage restricted precursor cells of sperm and eggs. Whilst avian PGCs from chicken can be cultured and modified to produce genome-edited chickens, the long-term culture of PGCs from other bird species has not been achieved. Here, we explored the effects of a cell-matrix interaction on the in vitro propagation of chicken PGCs. Blocking integrin signaling severely reduced the self-renewal of the PGC, indicating that a PGC-matrix interaction is an essential process for self-renewal. We investigated the properties of somatic cell differentiated PGCs and expression analyses suggested that the PGCs undergo a partial epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition caused by excess PGC-matrix interactions. Finally, we conducted a long-term culture of chicken PGCs with matrix components, resulting in significant induction of their somatic conversion. These results suggested that a high level of PGC-matrix interaction can cause somatic conversion, whilst a moderate level is essential for their proliferation. Overall, we identified a molecular aspect of self-renewal and maintaining undifferentiated states of avian PGCs.
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