New model for studying germ cell tumors in testes enlists embryonic stem cells
A team of researchers from Spain and Switzerland have developed a new model for studying the development of testicular germ cell tumors by transplanting embryonic stem cells into the seminiferous tubules in mouse models, resulting in the development of testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT) that mimic the early stages of TGCT development. The study, published in Cell Transplantation (20:5), is now freely available on-line.
"Over the last fifteen years, cell transplantation into seminiferous tubules has become a valuable tool for studying germinal cell biology," said the study's corresponding author Dr. Juan Arechaga of the University of Basque Country, Spain. "The blood-testes permeability barrier establishes a sealed compartment that protects against influences such as immunological rejection. Thus, our lab has developed a tumor assay to study the cancer invasion process in testicular germ cell tumors using embryonic stem cells injected into the seminiferous tubules."
According to Dr. Arechaga, the tumors generated by the transplantation of early embryos possess gene expressions and differentiation patterns similar to those in testicular germ cell tumors.
The researchers point out that testicular germ cell tumors are uncommon in non-human animals, so there have been no previously suitable animal models for study. However these tumors appear to be genetically regulated and the specific genes related to the development of this kind of tumor have been identified.
"Embryonic stem cell transplantation into mouse seminiferous tubules represents a model with very valuable potential applications because it mimics the pre-invasive state of TGCTs," said Dr. Arechaga. "Donor cells can be transfected with different transgenes before transplantation to evaluate certain genes during the invasive process."
The authors also note that the approach could also be useful in screening novel therapeutic drugs, including inhibitors of angiogenesis and metastasis, to potentially treat TGCTs.
"This study demonstrates the development of an animal model of testicular germ cell tumor formation" said Dr. David Eve, associate editor of Cell Transplantation and Instructor at the Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair, University of South Florida. "Study of this model will further our understanding of how testicular cancers arise and potential ways to treat it."
More information: Silván, U.; Díez-Torre, A.; Andrade, R.; Arluzea, J.; Silió, M.; Aréchaga, J. Embryonic Stem Cell Transplantation Into Seminiferous Tubules: A Model for the Study of Invasive Germ Cell Tumors of the Testis. Cell Transplant. 20(5):637-642; 2011. www.ingentaconnect… tent/cog/ct/
Provided by Cell Transplantation Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair
-
Relatives of boys with sexual birth defects not at risk for testicular germ cell cancer
Dec 21, 2009 |
not rated yet |
0
-
Bone marrow stem cell co-transplantation prevents embryonic stem cell transplant-associated tumors
May 11, 2009 |
not rated yet |
0
-
Scientists develop the first model for investigating the origins of testicular cancer in humans
Aug 03, 2010 |
not rated yet |
0
-
'Grow your own transplant' may be possible for men with type 1 diabetes
Dec 12, 2010 |
not rated yet |
0
-
Researchers Reprogram Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Jan 27, 2009 |
not rated yet |
0
-
Motion perception revisited: High Phi effect challenges established motion perception assumptions
Apr 23, 2013 |
3 / 5 (2) |
2
-
Anything you can do I can do better: Neuromolecular foundations of the superiority illusion (Update)
Apr 02, 2013 |
4.5 / 5 (11) |
5
-
The visual system as economist: Neural resource allocation in visual adaptation
Mar 30, 2013 |
5 / 5 (2) |
9
-
Separate lives: Neuronal and organismal lifespans decoupled
Mar 27, 2013 |
4.9 / 5 (8) |
0
-
Sizing things up: The evolutionary neurobiology of scale invariance
Feb 28, 2013 |
4.8 / 5 (10) |
14
-
Pressure-volume curve: Elastic Recoil Pressure don't make sense
May 18, 2013
-
If you became brain-dead, would you want them to pull the plug?
May 17, 2013
-
MRI bill question
May 15, 2013
-
Ratio of Hydrogen of Oxygen in Dessicated Animal Protein
May 13, 2013
-
Alcohol and acetaminophen
May 13, 2013
-
Marie Curie's leukemia
May 13, 2013
- More from Physics Forums - Medical Sciences
More news stories
New smartphone application improves colonoscopy preparation
The use of a smartphone application significantly improves patients' preparation for a colonoscopy, according to new research presented today at Digestive Disease Week (DDW). The preparation process, which begins days in ...
Cancer
7 hours ago |
not rated yet |
0
Research examines new methods for managing digestive health
Research presented at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) explores new methods for managing digestive health through diet and lifestyle.
Cancer
7 hours ago |
not rated yet |
0
New colonoscope provides ground-breaking view of colon
A ground-breaking advance in colonoscopy technology signals the future of colorectal care, according to research presented today at Digestive Disease Week(DDW). Additional research focuses on optimizing the minimal withdrawal ...
Cancer
22 hours ago |
5 / 5 (2) |
0
ASCO: combo antibody therapy effective for melanoma
(HealthDay)—Concurrent use of two immune checkpoint antibodies—ipilimumab and nivolumab—may be effective for the treatment of advanced melanoma, according to a proof-of-principal study presented in ...
Cancer
May 17, 2013 |
not rated yet |
0
Risk factors ID'd for poor cutaneous cell CA outcomes
(HealthDay)—The risks of metastasis and death associated with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) are low, but significant, and risk factors for poor outcome include tumor diameter, invasion beyond ...
Cancer
May 17, 2013 |
not rated yet |
0
|
'Gap' for HIV vaccine efforts after latest setback
The hunt for an HIV vaccine has gobbled up $8 billion in the past decade, and the failure of the most recent efficacy trial has delivered yet another setback to 26 years of efforts.
Consuming coffee linked to lower risk of detrimental liver disease, study finds
Regular consumption of coffee is associated with a reduced risk of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), an autoimmune liver disease, Mayo Clinic research shows. The findings were being presented at the Digestive Disease ...
Ketamine shows significant therapeutic benefit in people with treatment-resistant depression
Patients with treatment-resistant major depression saw dramatic improvement in their illness after treatment with ketamine, an anesthetic, according to the largest ketamine clinical trial to-date led by researchers from the ...
New research identifies risks, interventions for children's GI health
An increasing number of U.S. children are experiencing gastrointestinal issues that require interventions to resolve, according to research presented at Digestive Disease Week (DDW).
New research identifies practice changes to improve value and quality of GI procedures
There are significant cost and risk factors associated with two procedures commonly used to diagnose or treat gastrointestinal problems, according to research presented at Digestive Disease Week (DDW).
US psychiatry gets makeover in new manual
The latest makeover to a massive psychiatric tome honored by some, reviled by others and even called the "Bible" of mental disorders is being released Saturday with a host of new changes.