Biol Reprod Track the topics, authors and articles important to you
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
 QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     


BOR - Papers in Press, published online ahead of print September 3, 2003.
Biol Reprod 2003, 10.1095/biolreprod.103.020867
This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow All Versions of this Article:
70/1/70    most recent
biolreprod.103.020867v1
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow My Folders
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Kanatsu-Shinohara, M.
Right arrow Articles by Shinohara, T.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Kanatsu-Shinohara, M.
Right arrow Articles by Shinohara, T.
Agricola
Right arrow Articles by Kanatsu-Shinohara, M.
Right arrow Articles by Shinohara, T.
BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION 70, 70–75 (2004)
DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.103.020867
© 2004 by the Society for the Study of Reproduction, Inc.


Testis

CD9 Is a Surface Marker on Mouse and Rat Male Germline Stem Cells1

Mito Kanatsu-Shinohara, Shinya Toyokuni, and Takashi Shinohara2

Horizontal Medical Research Organization3 Department of Pathology and Biology of Diseases,4 Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan


    ABSTRACT
 TOP
 ABSTRACT
 INTRODUCTION
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS
 DISCUSSION
 REFERENCES
 
Spermatogenesis is dependent on a small population of stem cells. Despite the biological significance of spermatogonial stem cells, their analysis has been hampered by their scarcity. However, spermatogonial stem cells can be enriched by selection with an antibody against cell-surface molecules. In this investigation, we searched for new antigens expressed on spermatogonial stem cells. Using the spermatogonial transplantation technique, we examined expression of the CD9 molecule, which is commonly expressed on stem cells of other tissues. Selection of both mouse and rat testis cells with anti-CD9 antibody resulted in 5- to 7-fold enrichment of spermatogonial stem cells from intact testis cells, indicating that CD9 is commonly expressed on spermatogonial stem cells of both species. Therefore, CD9 may be involved in the common machinery in stem cells of many self-renewing tissues, and the identification of a common surface antigen on spermatogonial stem cells of different species has important implications for the development of a technique to enrich stem cells from other mammalian species.

developmental biology, gametogenesis, Sertoli cells, spermatogenesis, testis


    INTRODUCTION
 TOP
 ABSTRACT
 INTRODUCTION
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS
 DISCUSSION
 REFERENCES
 
Spermatogenesis is a complex process involving spermatogonial stem cells [1, 2]. These are the only cells in the spermatogenic system that can self-renew, thereby supporting male reproduction throughout life. Despite their importance in male reproduction, very little is known about these stem cells. Although spermatogonial stem cells can now be identified by transplantation assay [3], there are very few stem cells in the testis, which hampers their analysis. It is estimated that the mouse testis contains only two or three stem cells per 104 testis cells [2, 4]. Therefore, methods to purify these stem cells are essential for understanding their biology and for their efficient manipulation.

The purification of spermatogonial stem cells has been most successful in mice [5]. Using spermatogonial transplantation, we found that {alpha}6- and ß1-integrin are expressed on spermatogonial stem cells [6], and using flow cytometry with multiparameter selection, we successfully enriched the stem cell population to 1 in 30 testis cells (166-fold enrichment compared with the unselected testis cell population) [5]. Another research group recently achieved 700-fold enrichment using a transgenic donor mouse expressing a specific marker for undifferentiated spermatogonia [7]. Using this strategy, mouse spermatogonial stem cells can now be routinely isolated for various purposes. Similar studies have begun with rats using xenogeneic transplantation of rat testis cells into immunodeficient nude mice [8]. Rat spermatogonial stem cells can complete spermatogenesis in the mouse testis environment following introduction into the seminiferous tubules [9]. Using this system, selection with laminin-coated plates resulted in 8.5-fold enrichment, similar to mouse spermatogonial stem cells [8, 10]. Although several molecules are expressed on rat gonocytes [11, 12], such as Epithelial Cellular Adhesion Molecule (EpCAM) or Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule (NCAM) antigens, it is not clear whether they are expressed on stem cells, because gonocytes are heterogeneous populations of precursor cells for spermatogonia [1] and their expression was not confirmed by functional transplantation assay.

In this investigation, we searched for new antigens that are expressed on spermatogonial stem cells. We hypothesized that stem cells of many self-renewing tissues share a common molecular machinery and examined the expression of CD9, which is expressed on other types of stem cells [1315]. Mouse and rat testis cells were selected by magnetic bead technique and examined for the stem cell activity by spermatogonial transplantation.


    MATERIALS AND METHODS
 TOP
 ABSTRACT
 INTRODUCTION
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS
 DISCUSSION
 REFERENCES
 
Animals and Transplantation Procedure

In the first set of experiments using mice, cells were collected from the testes of a transgenic mouse line B6-TgR(ROSA26)26Sor (designated ROSA; Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME) [16]. This mouse line expresses the Escherichia coli LacZ transgene in all seminiferous tubule cells [16]. In a second set of experiments using rats, cells were collected from the testes of wild-type SD rats (Japan SLC, Shizuoka, Japan) or from the transgenic rat line TgN(act-EGFP)Osb4 (designated Green; Dr. M. Okabe, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan). These rats express the Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein (EGFP) gene ubiquitously under the control of the ß-actin promoter [17]. Cells for transplantation were obtained from the testes of 8- to 12-wk-old animals. In both experiments, cells were collected from intact testes. Single-cell suspensions from testes were prepared by two-step enzymatic digestion [18].

Mouse cells were transplanted into the testes of WBB6F1-W/Wv mice (designated W; Japan SLC), whereas rat cells were transplanted into immunodeficient Imperial Cancer Research nude mice (designated nude; Charles River Japan, Atsugi, Japan). W mice are histocompatible with the donor cells and are congenitally infertile because they lack all stages of differentiating germ cells because of mutations in the c-kit receptor tyrosine kinase [19, 20]. Cells were transplanted into W mice when the recipients were 6–10 wk of age. Nude mice were injected with busulfan (44 mg/kg i.p.) at 6 wk of age and used for the experiments at least 1 mo after treatment. For the testicular injections, approximately 3 µl of the donor cell suspension was introduced into the seminiferous tubules of a W mouse testis and 10 µl was introduced into the tubules of a nude mouse testis, because the nude mouse testes are larger. Transplantation was by efferent duct injection [18], which filled 75%–85% of the tubules in each recipient testis.

The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Kyoto University approved all of the animal experimentation protocols.

Flow Cytometry

Flow cytometric analyses were performed using a standard protocol [6]. Aliquots of 106 testis cells were suspended in 0.1 ml of PBS containing 1% fetal bovine serum (PBS/FBS) and incubated with primary antibodies. To detect CD9-positive cells, mouse or rat testis cells were incubated with 10 µg/ml biotin-conjugated anti-mouse CD9 antibody (clone KMC8; BD Biosciences, Franklin Lakes, NJ) or mouse anti-rat CD9 antibody (clone RPM.7; BD Biosciences), respectively. The primary antibodies were detected using 5 µg/ml of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated streptavidin (BD Biosciences) or Cy5-conjugated goat anti-mouse IgG antibody (Jackson ImmunoResearch Laboratories, West Grove, PA), respectively, for mouse and rat testis cells. Control cells were not treated with primary antibodies.

To analyze selected testis cell populations, CD9-selected mouse testis cells were incubated with 5 µg/ml FITC-conjugated streptavidin, phycoerythrin (PE)-conjugated anti-{alpha}6-integrin antibody (clone GoH3; BD Biosciences), or allophycocyanin (APC)-conjugated anti-c-kit antibody (clone 2B8; BD Biosciences). Control cells were not treated with streptavidin or the two antibodies. Likewise, CD9-selected rat testis cells were incubated with 5 µg/ml Cy5-conjugated anti-mouse IgG antibody, and control cells were not incubated with this antibody. Cells were kept in the dark on ice until analysis on a Becton Dickinson FACSCalibur (BD Biosciences). At least 10 000 events were acquired for each sample.

Immunohistochemistry

The technique for immunohistochemistry was previously described [21]. Testes were fixed with 10% neutral formalin and embedded in paraffin. Antigen was retrieved by autoclaving in 10 mM citrate buffer, pH 6.0, at 121°C for 10 min. The sections were stained with 10 µg/ml biotin-conjugated anti-mouse CD9 antibody (clone KMC8). The avidin-biotin complex method combined with the TSA Biotin system (PerkinElmer Life Sciences, Boston, MA) was applied for detection. Liquid diaminobenzidine (DAB; Dako Japan, Kyoto, Japan) was used as a substrate for peroxidase.

Selection of Testis Cell Subpopulation

The magnetic bead selection technique was described previously [22]. Aliquots of 2 x 107 testis cells were suspended in 1 ml of PBS/FBS with 10 µg/ml primary antibody. The cells plus antibody were incubated for 15 min on ice and washed three times with PBS/FBS, and magnetic beads were added. Biotin-conjugated rat anti-mouse CD9 antibody was used with streptavidin microbeads (25 µl; Miltenyi Biotec, Gladbach, Germany) to select cells expressing mouse CD9 molecules. Mouse anti-rat CD9 antibody was used with goat anti-mouse IgG microbeads (25 µl; Miltenyi Biotec) to select cells expressing rat CD9 molecules. The cells were further incubated for 15 min at 4°C and passed through an MS+ separation column (Miltenyi Biotec) to select cells, according to the manufacturer's instructions. Selected or unselected cells were suspended in Dulbecco modified Eagle medium supplemented as described previously [18].

Analysis of Testes

To evaluate colony number, recipient mice were examined 2 mo (first experiment) or 3 mo (second experiment) after the transplantation of donor cells. Transplanted donor cells, from ROSA mice or Green rats, were detected by staining for LacZ with 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl ß-D-galactoside (X-gal; Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Osaka, Japan) [16] or by ultraviolet (UV) light excitation [17], respectively. These methods specifically identify donor cells, because host cells do not stain positively for LacZ and lack endogenous fluorescence. A cluster of germ cells was defined as a colony when it occupied >50% of the basal surface of the tubule and was >=0.1 mm long [16]. The efficiency of colonization was evaluated by counting the total number of colonies under a stereomicroscope. Because donor testis cell concentrations varied, colony number was normalized to 107 cells/ml. All sections were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin (Wako) and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Statistical analysis was performed using the Student t-test.


    RESULTS
 TOP
 ABSTRACT
 INTRODUCTION
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS
 DISCUSSION
 REFERENCES
 
Expression of CD9 on Mouse Spermatogonial Stem Cells

Because CD9 is expressed on mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells [13], hematopoietic stem cells [14], and neural stem cells [15], we hypothesized that CD9 is also expressed on spermatogonial stem cells. In a previous study, expression of CD9 was found along the basement membrane of the seminiferous tubules in human testis [23]. However, these researchers did not examine whether CD9 is similarly expressed in the mouse testis. To test this possibility, we initially examined the presence of the CD9 molecule in a mouse testis cell population using flow cytometry. Testes of ROSA mice were dissociated enzymatically and stained with anti-mouse CD9 antibody. The expression of CD9 was confirmed in the mouse testis by flow cytometry, and approximately 4.7% of the testis cells expressed CD9 (Fig. 1A). Furthermore, immunohistochemical analysis of wild-type mouse testis also showed that CD9 is predominantly expressed on cells of the basement membrane, including spermatogonia, in the seminiferous tubule and interstitial cells (Fig. 1B).



View larger version (47K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
FIG. 1. Expression of CD9 in mouse testis. A) Characterization of anti-CD9 antibody-purified mouse testis cells using flow cytometry. Unselected (upper row) and anti-CD9 antibody-selected (lower row) testis cells were stained with FITC-conjugated streptavidin, PE-conjugated anti-{alpha}6-integrin antibody, or APC-conjugated anti-c-kit antibody, and the fluorescence was compared with that of controls. The dotted lines show the range of fluorescence in the controls. Note the increased percentages of all three antigens in the anti-CD9 antibody-selected cell population. B) Immunohistological staining of CD9 antigen in mouse testis. Positive cells were found on the basement membrane of seminiferous tubules (arrows). Staining was also observed in the interstitial cells. Bar = 50 µm (section). Stain: DAB followed by hematoxylin

We next used a magnetic bead selection procedure to enrich cells expressing CD9. The selected cells were analyzed for the degree of enrichment and for the expression of {alpha}6-integrin (a stem cell marker) and c-kit (a marker for differentiating spermatogonia) [5, 6]. In these experiments, 2 x 107 testis cells from ROSA mice were used for the selection, and approximately 1.5 x 106 cells (7.5% of the total) were recovered with this procedure. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that 28% of the selected cells expressed CD9, indicating a 6-fold enrichment from the control unselected testis cells. Staining for spermatogonial markers revealed that the selected cells were relatively enriched for spermatogonia: the percentage (mean ± SEM) of cells expressing {alpha}6-integrin or c-kit increased from 3.1% ± 0.7% to 7.4% ± 0.7% (2.4-fold increase, n = 3) or from 7.7% ± 1.6% to 17.1% ± 8.7% (2.2-fold increase, n = 3), respectively, suggesting that the concentration of stem cells is increased after CD9 selection (Fig. 1A).

To examine whether stem cells express CD9, we next performed spermatogonial transplantation experiments [3]. Because the LacZ transgene is expressed in donor spermatogenic cells at all stages [16], spermatogenesis from donor stem cells can be identified by staining with X-gal following transplantation into recipient testes. In three experiments, 2 x 107 testis cells were selected using the magnetic bead procedure, and 1.1–1.5 x 106 cells were recovered. Equal numbers of selected and unselected cells were transplanted into the seminiferous tubules of infertile W mice at concentrations of 2.3–3.0 x 107 cells/ml. Two months after transplantation, the recipient mice were killed and their testes were stained for LacZ activity. The numbers of blue seminiferous tubules (colonies) were counted in each experimental and control recipient testis. Each colony is believed to arise from a single stem cell [16]. Therefore, the number of colonies reflects the concentration of stem cells in the injected testis cell population.

The number of blue colonies was increased by a factor of 6.9 for anti-CD9 antibody-selected cells compared with unselected control cells (5.5 vs. 0.8 colonies per 3 x 104 cells), and the difference was significant (P < 0.001) (Fig. 2, A and B). Histological analysis of the blue region of the seminiferous tubules revealed normal-appearing spermatogenesis and the presence of mature spermatozoa in the host seminiferous tubules (Fig. 2A). Therefore, the population of mouse testis cells with CD9 surface antigen can be enriched for spermatogonial stem cells.



View larger version (63K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
FIG. 2. Expression of CD9 on mouse spermatogonial stem cells. A) Gross and histological appearance of recipient testes after transplantation of LacZ-marked donor testis cells. Left: Testis from a W recipient mouse 2 mo after transplantation of anti-CD9 antibody-selected cells. Middle: Testis from a W recipient mouse 2 mo after transplantation of unselected testis cells. Right: Histological section from a W recipient testis 2 mo after transplantation of anti-CD9-antibody-selected testis cells. Note the normal appearance and organization of spermatogenesis. Stain: X-gal followed by hematoxylin and eosin. B) Enhanced colonization of recipient testis by anti-CD9 antibody-selected mouse testis cells. The degree of colonization in three experiments is indicated by the number of individual blue colonies. The values (mean ± SEM) for anti-CD9 antibody-selected cells and unselected cells were 5.5 ± 0.8 (n = 16) and 0.8 ± 0.2 (n = 18) cells per 3 x 104 injected cells, respectively. Bars = 1 mm (testes) and 50 µm (section)

Expression of CD9 on Rat Spermatogonial Stem Cells

Based on the results of the first experiments with mouse testis cells, we investigated whether CD9 is expressed on rat spermatogonial stem cells. Testis cells from wild-type SD rats were dissociated enzymatically and stained with anti-rat CD9 antibody. Flow cytometric analysis revealed the presence of CD9 in the rat testis cell population, and approximately 17.5% of the testis cells expressed CD9 (Fig. 3A), a value higher than that in mouse testis cells (4.7%) (Figs. 1 and 3A). Using the same magnetic bead selection protocol as in the first experiment, 2 x 107 rat testis cells were selected and the degree of enrichment was examined. Approximately 1.1 x 106 cells (5.5% of the total) were recovered using this procedure. Flow cytometric analysis indicated that 87% of the selected cells expressed CD9, a percentage significantly greater than that in the first experiments using mouse cells (28%) (Fig. 3A). However, CD9-selected rat cells showed 4.9-fold enrichment compared with the unselected cells, a value comparable to that in the mouse experiment.



View larger version (43K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
FIG. 3. Expression of CD9 on rat spermatogonial stem cells. A) Characterization of anti-CD9 antibody-purified rat testis cells using flow cytometry. Unselected (left) and anti-CD9 antibody-selected (right) testis cells were stained with Cy5-conjugated anti-mouse IgG antibody, and the fluorescence was compared with similar cell controls. The dotted lines show the control range of fluorescence. Note the increase in percentage of CD9-positive cells after magnetic selection. B) The appearance of recipient testes after transplantation of green fluorescent protein-marked donor testis cells. Seminiferous tubules were dissected using fine forceps. Left: Testis from a busulfan-treated nude recipient mouse 3 mo after transplantation of unselected testis cells (8.2 x 104 cells injected). Right: Testis from a busulfan-treated nude recipient mouse 3 mo after transplantation of anti-CD9 antibody-selected cells (2.7 x 104 cells injected). Note the increase in number of colonies of CD9-positive cells despite the lower concentration of injected cells. Bar = 100 µm. C) Enhanced colonization of recipient testis by anti-CD9 antibody-selected rat testis cells. The number of individual fluorescent colonies represents the degree of colonization in three experiments. The values (mean ± SEM) for anti-CD9 antibody-selected and unselected cells were 15.8 ± 4.2 (n = 16) and 3.1 ± 0.9 (n = 13) cells per 105 injected, respectively

To examine whether rat spermatogonial stem cells express CD9, we performed xenogeneic transplantation using immunodeficient nude mouse recipients [9]. As donors in this experiment, we used Green rats in which the EGFP gene is expressed ubiquitously [17]. Therefore, donor rat cells fluoresce under UV light after transfer into nude mouse recipients. Testis cells were collected from Green rats and isolated using the magnetic bead purification procedure. In these experiments, 2 x 107 cells were used for selection in each experiment and 0.8–1.6 x 106 cells were recovered. Unselected and selected cells were transplanted into busulfan-treated nude mouse testes. Because colonies from rat stem cells are significantly larger than those from mouse stem cells [8], the CD9-selected testis cells were injected at lower concentrations (2.7–5.6 x 106/ml) to avoid the merging of colonies. Unselected cells were injected at higher concentrations (0.8–1.7 x 107/ml). The recipients were analyzed 3 mo after donor cell transplantation, because rat spermatogenesis takes longer than mouse spermatogenesis (53 vs. 35 days) [9].

Xenogeneic rat spermatogenesis was apparent under UV light, and the numbers of colonies in each experimental and control recipient testis were counted (Fig. 3B). The number of colonies derived from CD9-selected cells showed 5.1-fold enrichment of stem cells compared with unselected control testis cells (15.8 vs. 3.1 colonies per 105 cells), and the difference was significant (P < 0.001) (Fig. 3C). These results demonstrate that rat spermatogonial stem cells also express CD9.


    DISCUSSION
 TOP
 ABSTRACT
 INTRODUCTION
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS
 DISCUSSION
 REFERENCES
 
Studies have begun to reveal the phenotype of mouse spermatogonial stem cells. Their surface phenotype is side scatterlow, {alpha}6-integrin+, ß1-integrin+, CD24+, thy-1+, {alpha}v-integrin-, c-kit-, MHC- [5, 6, 24]. These stem cells also express Oct-4 and Stra8 [7, 25]. Some of these molecules are expressed on other types of stem cells. For example, thy-1 and ß1-integrin are expressed on hematopoietic stem cells [26, 27], and Oct-4 and {alpha}6-integrin are expressed on ES cells [28]. However, spermatogonial stem cells and other stem cells are not identical. Hematopoietic stem cells express {alpha}4-integrin and c-kit [27, 29], which are absent on spermatogonial stem cells [6]. Oct-4, a marker on ES cells, is not expressed on hematopoietic stem cells [30]. Nonetheless, the search for common molecules on different stem cells has facilitated the identification of stem cell surface markers [6, 24].

CD9 can now be added to the list of molecules that are commonly expressed on several types of stem cells. CD9 is a type III membrane protein with four transmembrane domains and is involved in cell adhesion, migration, proliferation, and fusion [3135]. It is expressed on many types of cells, including bone marrow, brain, and muscle cells [3135]. It is also expressed on oocytes and plays an important role in fertilization; disruption of the CD9 molecule by gene targeting results in female infertility [36, 37]. In the testis, expression of CD9 is not specific to stem cells. The CD9-selected cells showed significant amount of c-kit, which is expressed on differentiating spermatogonia [5, 6]. Nonspecific expression of CD9 on stem cells was corroborated by the results of immunohistochemical staining. However, fractionation of CD9-positive cells is possible by combining with other cell-specific markers, and identification of a new surface antigen on stem cells will likely improve stem cell enrichment protocols in mice.

An important question that arises from this study concerns the role of CD9 in spermatogonial stem cells. CD9 associates with integrins, including ß1- and {alpha}6-integrin [38], and it may play a role in signal transduction and in regulating cellular adhesion [39]. Because these integrin molecules are involved in the binding of cells to the basement membrane, this complex of molecules may be expressed on spermatogonial stem cells and may regulate cell adhesion. In a previous study, the addition of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) or STAT3 activation induced CD9 expression in ES cells [13], which indicates that the LIF/STAT3 pathway is critical for maintaining CD9 expression. The LIF/STAT3 pathway is essential for maintaining the undifferentiated state of ES cells [40, 41]. Given that spermatogonial stem cells in Drosophila also depend on the STAT pathway for maintenance of the undifferentiated state [42, 43], one possible scenario is that a similar pathway regulates CD9 expression in mammalian spermatogonial stem cells, thereby tethering stem cells to a niche so that they remain undifferentiated. Although CD9-null male mice lack an apparent reproductive phenotype, other closely related tetraspan transmembrane molecules, such as CD81, may serve this function [3135]. Further functional study is required to investigate the role of CD9 in mammalian spermatogenesis.

Our identification of a rat spermatogonial stem cell antigen will help in the development of a new enrichment strategy for this species. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of a rat stem cell surface antigen using a functional assay. Rats are important in the study of spermatogenesis because regeneration of spermatogenesis after irradiation or chemotherapy in humans is more similar to the process in rats than to the process in mice [44]. However, there are several problems to be resolved before an efficient protocol for enriching rat spermatogonial stem cells can be developed. Stem cell purification in many self-renewing tissues is based on a combination of several enrichment techniques, such as multiparameter selection of cells using a cell sorter or centrifugation, as initially performed with mouse testis cells [5]. In mice, a simple cryptorchid operation enriches spermatogonial stem cells in vivo to 1/200 cells [45]. This procedure greatly facilitates subsequent multiparameter selection of stem cells using antibodies with a cell sorter [5]. The greater sensitivity of differentiated germ cells to body core temperature results in massive apoptosis, leaving only undifferentiated spermatogonia [46]. Unfortunately, however, previous attempts using this procedure with rats met with little success [8], and it was not possible to achieve an enrichment level comparable to that in mice [47, 48]. Another approach is to use vitamin A-deficient animals, because they have only undifferentiated spermatogonia in the testis [49, 50]. However, the degree of enrichment achieved with mouse models was unexpectedly modest [51]. It remains to be determined whether testes from vitamin A-deficient rats have a high stem cell concentration.

At present, the most reliable method for enriching rat spermatogonial stem cells depends on the ability of stem cells to bind laminin [8, 10]. This laminin selection technique is based on the observation that spermatogonial stem cells adhere to laminin more rapidly than do other somatic cells [45]. The degree of selection with this method was 3- to 8-fold for mouse and rat spermatogonial stem cells [6, 8, 45]. Although the technique may be extended to other species, the absence of surface markers limits application of this multiparameter selection strategy to testis cells of other species. Another study showed that it is possible to select neonatal gonocytes with high stem cell activity by micromanipulation [52]. However, the selection procedure is based on the size and morphology of stem cells (i.e., the presence of pseudopods, low intracellular complexity, and prominent round nuclei) and is therefore subject to interoperator differences and is extremely laborious. In addition, the number of stem cells in the neonatal testis is smaller than that in the adult testis [53]. In this context, our identification of a new antigen for rat spermatogonial stem cells is an important step for applying the concept and technique established in mice to enrich stem cells in large numbers.

Further studies should also be directed to identifying new molecules on the stem cells of other animal species. Xenogeneic transplantation of stem cells from hamsters, cattle, pigs, primates, and humans has been reported [47, 48, 5459]. These reports indicate that stem cells of distantly related species can still attach to the basement membrane of mouse seminiferous tubules and proliferate. Although these studies indicate striking conservation of stem cell properties between species and suggest that they share many molecules, little progress has been made in characterizing stem cells from these species, and no surface molecules on stem cells have been found. Given our results, it is worth examining whether CD9 is also expressed on the stem cells of other animal species.

Our successful identification of a spermatogonial stem cell antigen supports the hypothesis that spermatogonial stem cells share the same molecule with stem cells in other self-renewing systems. The identification of a rat spermatogonial stem cell antigen provides a basis for establishing an efficient enrichment protocol. It is worth examining whether a similar approach is useful for identifying new antigens on spermatogonial stem cells.


    ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
 
We thank Ms. S. Hashino for her technical assistance.


    FOOTNOTES
 
1 M.K.S. was supported by a grant from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. Financial support for this research was provided by the Kanae Foundation for Life & Socio-Medical Science, The Inamori Foundation, NOVARTIS Foundation (Japan) for the Promotion of Science, and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology of Japan. Back

2 Correspondence: Takashi Shinohara, Horizontal Medical Research Organization, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan. FAX: 81 75 753 9281; takashi{at}mfour.med.kyoto-u.ac.jp Back

Received: 1 July 2003.

First decision: 21 July 2003.

Accepted: 2 September 2003.


    REFERENCES
 TOP
 ABSTRACT
 INTRODUCTION
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS
 DISCUSSION
 REFERENCES
 

  1. de Rooij DG, Russell LD. All you wanted to know about spermatogonia but were afraid to ask. J Androl 2000 21:776-798[Medline]
  2. Meistricch ML, van Beek MEAB. Spermatogonial stem cells. In: Desjardins C, Ewing LL (eds.), Cell and Molecular Biology of the Testis. New York: Oxford University Press; 1993:266–295
  3. Brinster RL, Zimmermann JW. Spermatogenesis following male germ-cell transplantation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1994 91:11298-11302[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  4. Tegelenbosch RAJ, de Rooij DG. A quantitative study of spermatogonial multiplication and stem cell renewal in the C3H/101 F1 hybrid mouse. Mutat Res 1993 290:193-200[CrossRef][Medline]
  5. Shinohara T, Orwig KE, Avarbock MR, Brinster RL. Spermatogonial stem cell enrichment by multiparameter selection of mouse testis cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2000 97:8346-8351[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  6. Shinohara T, Avarbock MR, Brinster RL. ß1- and {alpha}6-integrin are surface markers on mouse spermatogonial stem cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1999 96:5504-5509[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  7. Giuili G, Tomljenovic A, Labrecque N, Oulad-Abdelghani M, Rassoulzadegan M, Cuzin F. Murine spermatogonial stem cells: targeted transgene expression and purification in an active state. EMBO Rep 2002 3:753-759[CrossRef][Medline]
  8. Orwig KE, Shinohara T, Avarbock MR, Brinster RL. Functional analysis of stem cells in the adult rat testis. Biol Reprod 2002 66:944-949[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  9. Clouthier DE, Avarbock MR, Maika SD, Hammer RE, Brinster RL. Rat spermatogenesis in the mouse testis. Nature 1996 381:418-421[CrossRef][Medline]
  10. Kent Hamra F, Gatlin J, Chapman KM, Grellhes DM, Victor Garcia J, Hammer RE, Garbers DL. Production of transgenic rats by lentiviral transduction of male germ-line stem cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2002 99:14931-14936[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  11. Moore TJ, de Boer-Brouwer M, van Dissel-Emiliani FM. Purified gonocytes from the neonatal rat form foci of proliferating germ cells in vitro. Endocrinology 2002 143:3171-3174[Abstract]
  12. Orth JM, Jester WF Jr. NCAM mediates adhesion between gonocytes and Sertoli cells in cocultures from testes of neonatal rats. J Androl 1995 16:389-399[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  13. Oka M, Tagoku K, Russell TL, Nakano Y, Hamazaki T, Meyer EM, Yokota T, Terada N. CD9 is associated with leukemia inhibitory factor-mediated maintenance of embryonic stem cells. Mol Biol Cell 2002 13:1274-1281[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  14. Oritani K, Wu X, Medina K, Hudson J, Miyake K, Gimble JM, Burnstein SA, Kincade PW. Antibody ligation of CD9 modifies production of myeloid cells in long-term cultures. Blood 1996 87:2252-2261[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  15. Klassen H, Schwartz MR, Bailey AH, Young MJ. Surface markers expressed by multipotent human and mouse progenitor cells include tetraspanins and and non-protein epitopes. Neurosci Lett 2001 312:180-182[CrossRef][Medline]
  16. Nagano M, Avarbock MR, Brinster RL. Pattern and kinetics of mouse donor spermatogonial stem cell colonization in recipient testes. Biol Reprod 1999 60:1429-1436[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  17. Ito T, Suzuki A, Okabe M, Imai E, Hori M. Application of bone marrow-derived stem cells in experimental nephrology. Exp Nephrol 2001 59:444-450
  18. Ogawa T, Aréchaga JM, Avarbock MR, Brinster RL. Transplantation of testis germinal cells into mouse seminiferous tubules. Int J Dev Biol 1997 41:111-122[Medline]
  19. Geissler EN, Ryan MA, Housman DE. The dominant white spotting (W) locus of the mouse encodes the c-kit proto-oncogene. Cell 1988 55:185-192[CrossRef][Medline]
  20. Silvers WK. Dominant spotting, Patch, and Rump-White. In: Silvers WK (ed.), The Coat Colors of Mice. New York: Springer; 1979:206–223
  21. Hiroyasu M, Ozeki M, Kohda H, Echizenya M, Tanaka T, Hiai H, Toyokuni S. Specific allelic loss of p16INK4A tumor suppressor gene after weeks of iron-mediated oxidative damage during rat renal carcinogenesis. Am J Pathol 2002 160:419-424[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  22. von Schönfeldt V, Krishnamurthy H, Foppiani L, Schlatt S. Magnetic cell sorting is a fast and effective method of enriching viable spermatogonia from Djungarian hamster, mouse, and marmoset monkey testes. Biol Reprod 1999 61:582-589[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  23. Nakamura Y, Handa K, Iwamoto R, Tsukamoto T, Takahashi M, Mekada E. Immunohistochemical distribution of CD9, heparin binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor, and integrin {alpha}3ß1 in normal human tissues. J Histochem Cytochem 2001 49:439-444[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  24. Kubota H, Avarbock MR, Brinster RL. Spermatogonial stem cells share some, but not all, phenotypic and functional characteristics with other stem cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2003 100:6487-6492[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  25. Tadokoro Y, Yomogida K, Ohta H, Tohda A, Nishimune Y. Homeostatic regulation of germinal stem cell proliferation by the GDNF/FSH pathway. Mech Dev 2002 113:29-39[CrossRef][Medline]
  26. Spangrude GJ, Heimfeld S, Weissman IL. Purification and characterization of mouse hematopoietic stem cells. Science 1988 241:58-62[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  27. Williams DA, Rios M, Stephens C, Patel VP. Fibronectin and VLA4 in hematopoietic stem cell-microenvironment interactions. Nature 1991 352:438-441[CrossRef][Medline]
  28. Xu C, Inokuma MS, Denham J, Golds K, Kundu P, Gold JD, Carpenter MK. Feeder-free growth of undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells. Nat Biotechnol 2001 19:971-974[CrossRef][Medline]
  29. Ikuta K, Weissman IL. Evidence that hematopoietic stem cells express mouse c-kit but do not depend on steel factor for their generation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1992 89:1502-1506[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  30. Pesce M, Schöler HR. Oct-4: gatekeeper in the beginnings of mammalian development. Stem Cells 2001 19:271-278[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  31. Ikeyama S, Koyama M, Yamaoko M, Sasada R, Miyake M. Suppression of cell motility and metastasis by transfection with human motility-related protein (MRP/CD9) DNA. J Exp Med 1993 177:1231-1237[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  32. Masellis-Smith A, Shaw AR. CD9-regulated adhesion: anti-CD9 monoclonal antibody induces pre-B cell adhesion to bone marrow fibroblasts through de novo recognition of fibronectin. J Immunol 1994 152:2768-2777[Abstract]
  33. Hadjiargyrou M, Patterson PH. An anti-CD9 monoclonal antibody promotes adhesion and induces proliferation of Schwann cells in vitro. J Neurosci 1995 15:574-583[Abstract]
  34. Maecker HT, Todd SC, Levy S. The tetraspanin superfamily: molecular facilitators. FASEB J 1997 11:428-442[Abstract]
  35. Tachibana I, Hemler ME. Role of transmembrane 4 superfamily (TM4SF) proteins CD9 and CD81 in muscle cell fusion and myotube maintenance. J Cell Biol 1999 146:893-904[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  36. Miyado K, Yamada G, Yamada S, Hasuwa H, Nakamura Y, Ryu F, Suzuki K, Kosai K, Inoue K, Ogura A, Okabe M, Mekada E. Requirement of CD9 on the egg plasma membrane for fertilization. Science 2000 287:321-324[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  37. Le Naour F, Rubinstein E, Jasmin C, Prenant M, Boucheix C. Severely reduced female fertility in CD9-deficient mice. Science 2000 287:319-321[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  38. Park KR, Inoue T, Ueda M, Hirano T, Higuchi T, Maeda M, Konishi I, Fujiwara H, Fujii S. CD9 is expressed on human endometrial epithelial cells in association with integrins {alpha}6, {alpha}3 and ß1. Mol Hum Reprod 2000 6:252-257[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  39. Wright MD, Tomlinson MG. The ins and outs of the transmembrane 4 superfamiliy. Immunol Today 1994 15:588-594[CrossRef][Medline]
  40. Niwa H, Burdon T, Chambers I, Smith A. Self-renewal of pluripotent embryonic stem cells is mediated via activation of STAT3. Genes Dev 1998 12:2048-2060[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  41. Matsuda T, Nakamura T, Nakao K, Arai T, Katsuki M, Heike T, Yokota T. STAT3 activation is sufficient to maintain an undifferentiated state of mouse embryonic stem cells. EMBO J 1999 18:4261-4269[CrossRef][Medline]
  42. Kiger AA, Jones DL, Schulz C, Rogers MB, Fuller MT. Stem cell self-renewal specified by JAK-STAT activation in response to a support cell cue. Science 2001 294:2542-2545[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  43. Tulina N, Matunis E. Control of stem cell self-renewal in Drosophila spermatogenesis by JAK-STAT signaling. Science 2001 294:2546-2549[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  44. Meistrich ML. Hormonal stimulation of the recovery of spermatogenesis following chemo- and radiotherapy. APMIS 1998 106:37-45[Medline]
  45. Shinohara T, Avarbock MR, Brinster RL. Functional analysis of spermatogonial stem cells in Steel and cryptorchid infertile mouse models. Dev Biol 2000 220:401-411[CrossRef][Medline]
  46. Nishimune Y, Aizawa S, Komatsu T. Testicular germ cell differentiation in vivo. Fertil Steril 1978 29:95-102[Medline]
  47. Ogawa T, Dobrinski I, Brinster RL. Recipient preparation is critical for spermatogonial transplantation in the rat. Tissue Cell 1999 31:461-472[CrossRef][Medline]
  48. Zhang Z, Renfree MB, Short RV. Successful intra- and interspecific male germ cell transplantation in the rat. Biol Reprod 2003 68:961-967[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  49. van Pelt AM, de Rooij DG. Synchronization of the seminiferous epithelium after vitamin A replacement in vitamin A-deficient mice. Biol Reprod 1990 43:363-367[Abstract]
  50. Morales C, Griswold MD. Retinol-induced stage synchronization in seminiferous tubules of the rat. Endocrinology 1987 121:432-434[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  51. McLean DJ, Russell LD, Griswold MD. Biological activity and enrichment of spermatogonial stem cells in vitamin A-deficient and hyperthermia-exposed testes from mice based on colonization following germ cell transplantation. Biol Reprod 2002 66:1374-1379[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  52. Orwig KE, Ryu BY, Avarbock MR, Brinster RL. Male germ-line stem cell potential is predicted by morphology of cells in neonatal rat testes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2002 99:11706-11711[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  53. Shinohara T, Orwig KE, Avarbock MR, Brinster RL. Remodeling of the postnatal mouse testis is accompanied by dramatic changes in stem cell number and niche accessibility. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2001 98:6186-6191[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  54. Ogawa T, Dobrinski I, Avarbock MR, Brinster RL. Xenogeneic spermatogenesis following transplantation of hamster germ cells to mouse testes. Biol Reprod 1999 60:515-521[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  55. Oatley JM, de Avila DM, McLean DJ, Griswold MD, Reeves JJ. Transplantation of bovine germinal cells into mouse testes. J Anim Sci 2002 80:1925-1931[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  56. Dobrinski I, Avarbock MR, Brinster RL. Transplantation of germ cells from rabbits and dogs into mouse testes. Biol Reprod 1999 61:1331-1339[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  57. Dobrinski I, Avarbock MR, Brinster RL. Germ cell transplantation from large domestic animals into mouse testes. Mol Reprod Dev 2000 57:270-279[CrossRef][Medline]
  58. Nagano M, McCarrey JR, Brinster RL. Primate spermatogonial stem cells colonize mouse testes. Biol Reprod 2001 64:1409-1416[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  59. Nagano M, Patrizio P, Brinster RL. Long-term survival of human spermatogonial stem cells in mouse testes. Fertil Steril 2002 78:1225-1233[CrossRef][Medline]



This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
Hum ReprodHome page
B. P. Hermann, M. Sukhwani, D. R. Simorangkir, T. Chu, T. M. Plant, and K. E. Orwig
Molecular dissection of the male germ cell lineage identifies putative spermatogonial stem cells in rhesus macaques
Hum. Reprod., July 1, 2009; 24(7): 1704 - 1716.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Biol. Reprod.Home page
J. A. Schmidt, M. R. Avarbock, J. W. Tobias, and R. L. Brinster
Identification of Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor-Regulated Genes Important for Spermatogonial Stem Cell Self-Renewal in the Rat
Biol Reprod, July 1, 2009; 81(1): 56 - 66.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
M. Nurmio, V. Keros, P. Lahteenmaki, T. Salmi, M. Kallajoki, and K. Jahnukainen
Effect of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Therapy on Spermatogonia Populations and Future Fertility
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., June 1, 2009; 94(6): 2119 - 2122.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Hum ReprodHome page
C. B. Maki, J. Pacchiarotti, T. Ramos, M. Pascual, J. Pham, J. Kinjo, S. Anorve, and F. Izadyar
Phenotypic and molecular characterization of spermatogonial stem cells in adult primate testes
Hum. Reprod., June 1, 2009; 24(6): 1480 - 1491.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Hum ReprodHome page
T. Muller, G. Fleischmann, K. Eildermann, K. Matz-Rensing, P. A. Horn, E. Sasaki, and R. Behr
A novel embryonic stem cell line derived from the common marmoset monkey (Callithrix jacchus) exhibiting germ cell-like characteristics
Hum. Reprod., June 1, 2009; 24(6): 1359 - 1372.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Hum ReprodHome page
T. Muller, K. Eildermann, R. Dhir, S. Schlatt, and R. Behr
Glycan stem-cell markers are specifically expressed by spermatogonia in the adult non-human primate testis
Hum. Reprod., October 1, 2008; 23(10): 2292 - 2298.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J AndrolHome page
J.-B. Stukenborg, J. Wistuba, C. M. Luetjens, M. A. Elhija, M. Huleihel, E. Lunenfeld, J. Gromoll, E. Nieschlag, and S. Schlatt
Coculture of Spermatogonia With Somatic Cells in a Novel Three-Dimensional Soft-Agar-Culture-System
J Androl, May 1, 2008; 29(3): 312 - 329.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Stem CellsHome page
K. E. Orwig, B.-Y. Ryu, S. R. Master, B. T. Phillips, M. Mack, M. R. Avarbock, L. Chodosh, and R. L. Brinster
Genes Involved in Post-Transcriptional Regulation Are Overrepresented in Stem/Progenitor Spermatogonia of Cryptorchid Mouse Testes
Stem Cells, April 1, 2008; 26(4): 927 - 938.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
ReproductionHome page
M. Hou, M. Andersson, C. Zheng, A. Sundblad, O. Soder, and K. Jahnukainen
Decontamination of leukemic cells and enrichment of germ cells from testicular samples from rats with Roser's T-cell leukemia by flow cytometric sorting
Reproduction, December 1, 2007; 134(6): 767 - 779.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Hum ReprodHome page
H. Ohta, Y. Sakaide, and T. Wakayama
Generation of progeny via ICSI following enrichment of elongated spermatids from mouse testis by flow-cytometric cell sorting
Hum. Reprod., June 1, 2007; 22(6): 1612 - 1616.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Biol. Reprod.Home page
M. Kanatsu-Shinohara, K. Inoue, N. Ogonuki, H. Miki, S. Yoshida, S. Toyokuni, J. Lee, A. Ogura, and T. Shinohara
Leukemia Inhibitory Factor Enhances Formation of Germ Cell Colonies in Neonatal Mouse Testis Culture
Biol Reprod, January 1, 2007; 76(1): 55 - 62.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Biol. Reprod.Home page
M. Tokuda, Y. Kadokawa, H. Kurahashi, and T. Marunouchi
CDH1 Is a Specific Marker for Undifferentiated Spermatogonia in Mouse Testes
Biol Reprod, January 1, 2007; 76(1): 130 - 141.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Biol. Reprod.Home page
M. Kanatsu-Shinohara, K. Inoue, J. Lee, H. Miki, N. Ogonuki, S. Toyokuni, A. Ogura, and T. Shinohara
Anchorage-Independent Growth of Mouse Male Germline Stem Cells In Vitro
Biol Reprod, March 1, 2006; 74(3): 522 - 529.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Biol. Reprod.Home page
A. Buageaw, M. Sukhwani, A. Ben-Yehudah, J. Ehmcke, V. Y. Rawe, C. Pholpramool, K. E. Orwig, and S. Schlatt
GDNF Family Receptor alpha1 Phenotype of Spermatogonial Stem Cells in Immature Mouse Testes
Biol Reprod, November 1, 2005; 73(5): 1011 - 1016.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
DevelopmentHome page
M. Kanatsu-Shinohara, N. Ogonuki, T. Iwano, J. Lee, Y. Kazuki, K. Inoue, H. Miki, M. Takehashi, S. Toyokuni, Y. Shinkai, et al.
Genetic and epigenetic properties of mouse male germline stem cells during long-term culture
Development, September 15, 2005; 132(18): 4155 - 4163.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
EndocrinologyHome page
L. Riou, H. Bastos, B. Lassalle, M. Coureuil, J. Testart, F. D. Boussin, I. Allemand, and P. Fouchet
The Telomerase Activity of Adult Mouse Testis Resides in the Spermatogonial {alpha}6-Integrin-Positive Side Population Enriched in Germinal Stem Cells
Endocrinology, September 1, 2005; 146(9): 3926 - 3932.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Biol. Reprod.Home page
M. Kanatsu-Shinohara, H. Miki, K. Inoue, N. Ogonuki, S. Toyokuni, A. Ogura, and T. Shinohara
Long-Term Culture of Mouse Male Germline Stem Cells Under Serum-or Feeder-Free Conditions
Biol Reprod, April 1, 2005; 72(4): 985 - 991.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Histochem. Cytochem.Home page
L. Cui, K. Johkura, F. Yue, N. Ogiwara, Y. Okouchi, K. Asanuma, and K. Sasaki
Spatial Distribution and Initial Changes of SSEA-1 and Other Cell Adhesion-related Molecules on Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells Before and During Differentiation
J. Histochem. Cytochem., November 1, 2004; 52(11): 1447 - 1457.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Biol. Reprod.Home page
M. Kanatsu-Shinohara, S. Toyokuni, and T. Shinohara
Transgenic Mice Produced by Retroviral Transduction of Male Germ Line Stem Cells In Vivo
Biol Reprod, October 1, 2004; 71(4): 1202 - 1207.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow All Versions of this Article:
70/1/70    most recent
biolreprod.103.020867v1
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow My Folders
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Kanatsu-Shinohara, M.
Right arrow Articles by Shinohara, T.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Kanatsu-Shinohara, M.
Right arrow Articles by Shinohara, T.
Agricola
Right arrow Articles by Kanatsu-Shinohara, M.
Right arrow Articles by Shinohara, T.


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS