Human Adipose-derived Pericytes Display Steroidogenic Lineage Potential in Vitro and Influence Leydig Cell Regeneration in Vivo in Rats

Sci Rep. 2019 Oct 21;9(1):15037. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-50855-0.

Abstract

Exogenous androgen replacement is used to treat symptoms associated with low testosterone in males. However, adverse cardiovascular risk and negative fertility impacts impel development of alternative approaches to restore/maintain Leydig cell (LC) androgen production. Stem Leydig cell (SLC) transplantation shows promise in this regard however, practicality of SLC isolation/transplantation impede clinical translation. Multipotent human adipose-derived perivascular stem cells (hAd-PSCs) represent an attractive extragonadal stem cell source for regenerative therapies in the testis but their therapeutic potential in this context is unexplored. We asked whether hAd-PSCs could be converted into Leydig-like cells and determined their capacity to promote regeneration in LC-ablated rat testes. Exposure of hAd-PSCs to differentiation-inducing factors in vitro upregulated steroidogenic genes but did not fully induce LC differentiation. In vivo, no difference in LC-regeneration was noted between Sham and hAd-PSC-transplanted rats. Interestingly, Cyp17a1 expression increased in hAd-PSC-transplanted testes compared to intact vehicle controls and the luteinising hormone/testosterone ratio returned to Vehicle control levels which was not the case in EDS + Sham animals. Notably, hAd-PSCs were undetectable one-month after transplantation suggesting this effect is likely mediated via paracrine mechanisms during the initial stages of regeneration; either directly by interacting with regenerating LCs, or through indirect interactions with trophic macrophages.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue / cytology*
  • Animals
  • Cell Count
  • Cell Lineage*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Hormones / blood
  • Humans
  • Leydig Cells / cytology*
  • Male
  • Organ Size
  • Pericytes / cytology*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Rats, Inbred WKY
  • Regeneration*
  • Steroids / metabolism*
  • Testis / anatomy & histology
  • Testis / cytology

Substances

  • Hormones
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Steroids