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Single-cell RNA sequencing technology in human spermatogenesis: Progresses and perspectives

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Abstract

Spermatogenesis, a key part of the spermiation process, is regulated by a combination of key cells, such as primordial germ cells, spermatogonial stem cells, and somatic cells, such as Sertoli cells. Abnormal spermatogenesis can lead to azoospermia, testicular tumors, and other diseases related to male infertility. The application of single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) technology in male reproduction is gradually increasing with its unique insight into deep mining and analysis. The data cover different periods of neonatal, prepubertal, pubertal, and adult stages. Different types of male infertility diseases including obstructive and non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA), Klinefelter Syndrome (KS), Sertoli Cell Only Syndrome (SCOS), and testicular tumors are also covered. We briefly review the principles and application of scRNA-seq and summarize the research results and application directions in spermatogenesis in different periods and pathological states. Moreover, we discuss the challenges of applying this technology in male reproduction and the prospects of combining it with other technologies.

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Data sharing is not applicable to this article as no new data were created in this study.

Abbreviations

APLN/APJ:

Apelin peptide/Apelin-receptor

DMR:

Differentially methylated region

GCNA:

Germ-cell nuclear antigen

hPGC:

Human primordial germ cell

KS:

Klinefelter syndrome

MMLV:

Moloney murine leukemia virus

NOA:

Non-obstructive azoospermia

OA:

Obstructive azoospermia

PGC:

Primordial germ cell

SCOS:

Sertoli cell only syndrome

scRNA-seq:

Single-cell RNA sequencing

SNP:

Single nucleotide polymorphism

SSC:

Spermatogonial stem cell

T2DM:

Type 2 diabetes mellitus

TF:

Transcription factor

TSO:

Template-switching oligo

UMI:

Unique molecular indentifier

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Funding

This work was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32270912), Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province (2021JJ41091) and College Students Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program of Central South University(XCX2022140).

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  1. NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China

    Hanbo Jia, Wei Wang, Zhaowen Zhou, Zhiyi Chen, Zijun Lan, Hao Bo & Liqing Fan

  2. Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, Hunan, China

    Hao Bo & Liqing Fan

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Hanbo Jia, Wei Wang, Zhaowen Zhou, Zhiyi Chen, and Zijun Lan drafted the manuscript. Liqing Fan and Ho Bo edited the manuscript. Hanbo Jia prepared Figs. 1–2. The final manuscript has been read and approved for publication by all authors.

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Jia, H., Wang, W., Zhou, Z. et al. Single-cell RNA sequencing technology in human spermatogenesis: Progresses and perspectives. Mol Cell Biochem (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11010-023-04840-x

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