Study on mice mesonephros-induced differentiation of oogonial stem cells in vitro and related signaling pathways

In mice, mesonephros persist in the hilus and medulla of the ovary into adulthood, it is not only essential for follicular development, but also an important source of pregranulosa cells and follicular membrane cells. In this study, we found that co-culture of mesonephros and oogonial stem cells (OSCs) could form follicle-like structures with certain functions in vitro. The sequenced results on the 14th day of co-culture showed that it was high expression of specific proteins derived from mesonephros. In addition, the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway was significantly enriched. In the experiment of in vivo transplantation of co-cultured cell clusters we obtained three conclusions. First, the estrogen secretion function of recipient mice was restored to a certain extent. Second, the estrus cycle was completely restored within a certain period of time. Third, the mesonephros and OSCs co-cultured cell clusters were well developed under the renal capsule with normal morphology and structure. Our study showed that the mesonephros could promote the differentiation of OSCs into functional follicles based on the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. This finding provided a new insights into the genesis and development of follicle and granulosa cells, as well as early intervention in follicle development.