Stem cell transplantation extends the reproductive life span of naturally aging cynomolgus monkeys.

Long Yan, Wan Tu, Xuehan Zhao, Haifeng Wan, Jiaqi Wu, Yan Zhao, Jun Wu, Yingpu Sun, Lan Zhu, Yingying Qin, Linli Hu, Hua Yang, Qiong Ke, Wenzhe Zhang, Wei Luo, Zhenyu Xiao, Xueyu Chen, Qiqian Wu, Beijia He, Man Teng, Shanjun Dai, Jinglei Zhai, Hao Wu, Xiaokui Yang, Fan Guo, Hongmei Wang

Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China. · pubmed

Paper

Abstract

The ovary is crucial for female reproduction and health, as it generates oocytes and secretes sex hormones. Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has been shown to alleviate pathological ovarian aging. However, it is unclear whether MSCs could benefit the naturally aging ovary. In this study, we first examined the dynamics of ovarian reserve of Chinese women during perimenopause. Using a naturally aging cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis) model, we found that transplanting human embryonic stem cells-derived MSC-like cells, which we called M cells, into the aging ovaries significantly decreased ovarian fibrosis and DNA damage, enhanced secretion of sex hormones and improved fertility. Encouragingly, a healthy baby monkey was born after M-cell transplantation. Moreover, single-cell RNA sequencing analysis and in vitro functional validation suggested that apoptosis, oxidative damage, inflammation, and fibrosis were mitigated in granulosa cells and stromal cells following M-cell transplantation. Altogether, these findings demonstrate the beneficial effects of M-cell transplantation on aging ovaries and expand our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying ovarian aging and stem cell-based alleviation of this process.

The following analysis is generated by AI and may contain errors. It is separate from the authors’ abstract and is not peer review.

Research summary

The paper addresses the effects of mesenchymal stem cell transplantation on ovarian aging, which is directly related to reproductive longevity and the aging process in females. It explores potential interventions that could mitigate age-related decline in ovarian function, thus contributing to the understanding of aging mechanisms. However, while the findings are promising, they represent a solid but limited advance in the field, primarily focused on a specific model and intervention without broader implications for general longevity research.

Author of this paper? Send a correction.