Mesenchymal stromal/stem cells and their exosomes for restoration of spermatogenesis in non-obstructive azoospermia: a systemic review

• Published in: Stem cell research & therapy Vol. 12; no. 1; p. 229
• Main Authors: Zhankina, Rano, Baghban, Neda, Askarov, Manarbek, Saipiyeva, Dana, Ibragimov, Almaz, Kadirova, Bakhyt, Khoradmehr, Arezoo, Nabipour, Iraj, Shirazi, Reza, Zhanbyrbekuly, Ulanbek, Tamadon, Amin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central 06.04.2021; BMC
• Subjects: Adipocytes; Animal model; Animal models; Bone marrow; Cell differentiation; Clinical trial; Clinical trials; Degenerative diseases; Exosomes; Fibroblasts; Genetic engineering; Germ cells; Hormone replacement therapy; In vitro fertilization; In vitro study; Infertility; Mesenchymal stromal/stem cell; Mesenchyme; Molecular biology; Non-obstructive azoospermia; Progenitor cells; Reproductive technologies; Review; Sperm; Spermatogenesis; Stem cell transplantation; Stem cells; Testes; Testosterone; Tubules; Xenografts; Animal model; Clinical trial; Non-obstructive azoospermia; Infertility; In vitro study; Mesenchymal stromal/stem cell
• ISSN: 1757-6512; 1757-6512
• DOI: 10.1186/s13287-021-02295-9

Stem cells have been introduced as new promising therapeutic agents in treatment of degenerative diseases because of having high differentiation potential while maintaining the ability to self-replicate and retaining features of their source cells. Among different type of cell therapies, mesenchymal stromal/stem cell (MSC) therapy is being increasingly developed as a new way to treat structural defects that need to be repaired and regenerated. Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) is a reproductive disease in men that causes infertility in 10% of infertile men. Based on in vitro studies, MSCs from different tissue sources have been differentiated into germ cells or gamete progenitor cells by simple methods in both male and female. On the other hand, the therapeutic effects of MSCs have been evaluated for the treatment of NOA animal models created by chemical or surgical compounds. The results of these studies confirmed successful allotransplantation or xenotransplantation of MSCs in the seminiferous tubules. As well, it has been reported that exosomes secreted by MSCs are able to induce the process of spermatogenesis in the testes of infertile animal models. Despite numerous advances in the treatment of reproductive diseases in men and women with the help of MSCs or their exosomes, no clinical trial has been terminated on the treatment of NOA. This systematic review attempts to investigate the possibility of MSC therapy for NOA in men.