: JP David, Ralf Middendorff, D. Müller, Adolf F. Holstein
: The Neuroendocrine Leydig Cells and their Stem Cell Progenitors, the Pericytes
: Springer-Verlag
: 9783642005138
: Advances in Anatomy, Embryology and Cell Biology
: 1
: CHF 193.20
:
: Nichtklinische Fächer
: English
: 154
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: PDF
cells, and the testicular localization of the intermediate filament protein nestin, known to be expressed in neural stem cells, by our group was the first step to define mural cells (pericytes and vascular smooth muscle cells) of the testis microvascu- ture as the stem/progenitor cells of the adult Leydig cells. In summary, we were able to demonstrate specific proliferation of vascular progenitors and their subsequent transdifferentiation into steroidogenic Leydig cells, which - in addition - rapidly acquire neuronal and glial properties. Since both newly developed fetal and adult Leydig cell populations show the same features, a common origin of both popu- tions seems likely. Pericytes are distributed throughout the body, and there is convincing evidence for their stem/progenitor cell properties in diverse organs. Under appropriate (locally defined) conditions these pericytes, which reside in the vascular stem cell niche as dormant stem cells, become activated, proliferate, migrate and differentiate towards different somatic cell types of the body. Since most mesenchymal stem/ progenitor cell types exhibit essential similarity to pericytes and certain mesenchymal stem cells represent pericyte descendants, we propose that mesenchymal stem cells in the perivascular niche are daughter cells of pericytes. Thus, pericytes are promising candidates for ancestor cells of all adult stem cells in the organism. There is strong evidence that early stem cells (cells arising during embryogenesis), such as the pericytes, exhibit both mesodermal and neural progeny, which might explain the neuroendocrine properties of the Leydig cells.
Acknowledgements6
List of Contents7
Chapter 1 Introduction10
Chapter 2 History of and Recent Progress in Leydig Cell Research12
2.1 More Than 150 Years Ago: The Discovery of Leydig Cells12
2.2 100 Years Later: The Endocrine Characteristics of the Leydig Cells Were Revealed14
2.3 Novel Aspects: Evidence for Neuroendocrine Properties of the Leydig Cells15
2.4 Newer Results: Adult Leydig Cells Originate from Microvascular Mural Stem Cells (Pericytes and Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells)17
Chapter 3 Morphology of the Leydig Cells18
3.1 Leydig Cells Represent a Heterogeneous Cell Population18
Chapter 4 The Well-Known Endocrine Function of the Leydig Cells28
Chapter 5 The Neuroendocrine Properties of the Leydig Cells31
5.1 Considering Selected Substances35
5.2 Hormones44
5.3 Natriuretic Peptides46
5.4 Neurofilament and Other Proteins47
5.5 Astrocyte and Oligodendrocyte Marker Molecules47
5.6 The Renin-Angiotensin System48
5.7 VEGFs and Their Receptors49
5.8 PDGFs and Their Receptors50
Chapter 6 Development of the Testis52
6.1 The Testis Arises from the Urogenital Ridge and the Indifferent Gonad Rudiment52
6.2 Primordial Germ Cells Migrate from the Epiblast into the Genital Ridges52
6.3 The Sertoli Cells Emerge from Migrating Cells of the Coelomic Epithelium and Contribute to the Formation of the Testicular Cords53
6.4 Migrating Mesonephric Cells Contribute to the Generation of Other Somatic Cells in the Male Gonad54
Chapter 7 Development of the Neuroendocrine Leydig Cells56
7.1 Two Main Leydig Cell Types Differentiate During Testis Development: The Fetal-Type and the Adult-Type Leydig Cells56
7.2 Origin and Differentiation of the Adult Neuroendocrine Leydig Cells57
7.3 Definition and Classification of the Stem Cells58
7.4 Postnatal Development of the Neuroendocrine Leydig Cells in Rat and Mouse Testis60
7.5 EDS Treatment of Adult Rats Also Leads To Damage of the Seminiferous Epithelium76
7.6 The Pericyte Is a Peculiar Cell Type Just Now Beginning To Be Understood77
7.7 The Vascular Stem Cell Niche and the Stem-Cell-Like Progenitors of Testicular Leydig Cells87
7.8 Leydig Cells May Be Continuously Generated from Stem/ Progenitors Cells in the Testes of Adult Mammals89
7.9 Postnatal Development of Leydig Cells in Rodent Testis91
7.10 Postnatal Development of Leydig Cells in the Human Testis94
Chapter 8 Fetal and Adult Leydig Cells Are of Common Origin95
8.1 Where Do the Leydig Cell Ancestors Come from?96
8.2 The Development of the Fetal Leydig Cells Is Closely Associated with the Development of the Testis Vasculature97
8.3 Leydig Cells, Blood Vessels and the Developing Testis98
8.4 Are Stem Cells Really a Very Rare Population?101
8.5 Leydig Stem/Progenitor Cells and the Neural Crest104
8.6 The Aorta Gonad Mesonephros Region Harbours Many Diverse Stem Cells108
Chapter 9 Concluding Remarks110
References113
Subject Index154