Murine Skin-Derived Multipotent Papillary Dermal Fibroblast Progenitors Show Germline Potential In Vitro

The study demonstrated that skin-derived multipotent papillary dermal fibroblast progenitors (pDFPs) from neonatal mice could differentiate into germ cell-like cells (GCLCs) in vitro. Researchers used single-cell RNA sequencing to identify these progenitors and adapted protocols to induce the formation of primordial germ cell-like cells (PGCLCs) and spermatogonia stem cell-like cells (SSCLCs) with meiotic potential when cultured with testicular organoids. The study involved approximately 120 CAG/eGFP transgenic mice and 10 CD-1 mice. Although the process showed germline potential, it remained inefficient, limiting practical applications. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) was found to promote pDFP proliferation, and proper DNA demethylation was suggested as crucial for successful meiotic progression.