Deriving cells expressing markers of female germ cells from premature ovarian failure patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells

Aim: We proposed a two-step protocol for deriving cells expressing markers of female germ cells (FGCs) from premature ovarian failure patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (POF-iPSCs). Material & methods: We cultured POF-iPSCs in suspension and pretreated them with TGF beta-1 (1 ng/ml) for 2 days and continued with both TGF beta-1 and BMP4 (50 ng/ml) for 5 more days. Then changed to media containing retinoic acid (1 mu M) and 5% follicular fluid for another 7 days. Expression of markers of different stages of FGCs were detected. Results: c-KIT, STELLA/DPPA3, VASA/DDX4, SCP3, GDF9 and ZP3 were positively detected and statistically significant different when compared with control groups. Conclusion: Our in vitro system was beneficial for POF-iPSCs differentiated cells to express STELLA, VASA and SCP3, which were the markers of meiosis initiation of FGCs.