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Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics
Published in: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics 10/2013

01-10-2013 | Review

Plasticity of granulosa cells: on the crossroad of stemness and transdifferentiation potential

Authors: Edo Dzafic, Martin Stimpfel, Irma Virant-Klun

Published in: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics | Issue 10/2013

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Abstract

The ovarian follicle represents the basic functional unit of the ovary and consists of an oocyte, which is surrounded by granulosa cells (GCs). GCs play an important role in the growth and development of the follicle. They are subject to increased attention since it has recently been shown that the subpopulation of GCs within the growing follicle possesses exceptionally plasticity showing stem cell characteristics. In assisted reproduction programs, oocytes are retrieved from patients together with GCs, which are currently discarded daily, but could be an interesting subject to be researched and potentially used in regenerative medicine in the future. Isolated GCs expressed stem cell markers such as OCT-4, NANOG and SOX-2, showed high telomerase activity, and were in vitro differentiated into other cell types, otherwise not present within ovarian follicles. Recently another phenomenon demonstrated in GCs is transdifferentiation, which could explain many ovarian pathological conditions. Possible applications in regenerative medicine are also given.
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Metadata
Title
Plasticity of granulosa cells: on the crossroad of stemness and transdifferentiation potential
Authors
Edo Dzafic
Martin Stimpfel
Irma Virant-Klun
Publication date
01-10-2013
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics / Issue 10/2013
Print ISSN: 1058-0468
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7330
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-013-0068-0

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