Strategies for Mammalian Mesenchymal Stem Cells Differentiation into Primordial Germ Cell-Like Cells: A Review

Primordial germ cells develop into oocytes and sperm cells. These cells are useful resources in reproductive biology and regenerative medicine. The mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been examined for in vitro production of primordial germ cell-like cells (PGLCs). This study aimed to summarize the existing protocols for MSCs differentiation into PGLCs. In limited identified studies, various models of MSCs, including those derived from adipose tissue, bone marrow, and Wharton's jelly, have been successfully differentiated in to PGLCs. Although the protocols of specification induction are basically very similar, they have been adjusted to the mesenchymal cell type and the species of origin. The availability of MSCs has made it possible to customize conditions for their differentiation into PGLCs in several models, including humans. Refining germ cell-related signaling pathways during induced differentiation of MSCs will help to define extension to the protocols for PGLCs production.