Transplantation of encapsulated human Leydig-like cells: A novel option for the treatment of testosterone deficiency. (1st January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Feng, Xin; Xia, Kai; Ke, Qiong; Deng, Rongda; Zhuang, Jintao; Wan, Zi; Luo, Peng; Wang, Fulin; Zang, Zhijun; Sun, Xiangzhou; Xiang, Andy Peng; Tu, Xiang'an; Gao, Yong; Deng, Chunhua
• Is Part Of: Molecular and cellular endocrinology. Volume 519(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-01-01
• Subjects: Hypogonadism -- Human stem Leydig cells -- Leydig-like cells -- Alginate-poly-ʟ-lysine-alginate -- Encapsulation; APA alginate-poly-ʟ-lysine-alginate -- hSLCs human stem Leydig cells -- LLCs Leydig-like cells -- DBM differentiation basal medium -- Cas castrated -- Lm-Cas castrated and intraperitoneally injected with LLC microcapsules -- Em-Cas castrated and intraperitoneally injected with empty microcapsules -- IngWAT inguinal white adipose tissue -- SV seminal vesicle -- LA/BC levator ani/bulbocavernosus; Endocrinology -- Periodicals; Molecular biology -- Periodicals; Cytology -- Periodicals; Endocrinology -- Periodicals; Hormones -- Periodicals; Endocrinologie -- Périodiques; Cytology; Endocrinology; Molecular biology; Periodicals; 573.4
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2020.111039
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0303-7207

Abstract

Abstract: Previous studies have demonstrated that the transplantation of alginate-poly-ʟ-lysine-alginate (APA)-encapsulated rat Leydig cells (LCs) provides a promising approach for treating testosterone deficiency (TD). Nevertheless, LCs have a limited capacity to proliferate, limiting the efficacy of LC transplantation therapy. Here, we established an efficient differentiation system to obtain functional Leydig-like cells (LLCs) from human stem Leydig cells (hSLCs). Then we injected APA-encapsulated LLCs into the abdominal cavities of castrated mice without an immunosuppressor. The APA-encapsulated cells survived and partially restored testosterone production for 90 days in vivo. More importantly, the transplantation of encapsulated LLCs ameliorated the symptoms of TD, such as fat accumulation, muscle atrophy and adipocyte accumulation in bone marrow. Overall, these results suggest that the transplantation of encapsulated LLCs is a promising new method for testosterone supplementation with potential clinical applications in TD. Highlights: Functional LLCs could be obtained from hSLCs by an efficient induction protocol in vitro . Encapsulated LLCs survived and restored testosterone production up to 90 days in castrated mice . Transplantation of encapsulated LLCs ameliorated the symptoms of TD.