Work

A single-cell atlas of the testicular interstitium defines Leydig progenitor networks sustaining Leydig cell homeostasis across the lifespan

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Declining rates of male fertility pose a significant clinical challenge, while the mechanisms underlying testicular interstitial function remain incompletely understood. Here, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of the single-cell transcriptomic landscape of the murine testicular interstitium across the postnatal lifespan. The investigation unveiled a previously unrecognized population of Cd34 + /Sox4 + mesenchymal cells nestled within the interstitium, hinting at their potential as Leydig cell (LC) progenitors. With the aging process of Cd34 + /Sox4 + mesenchymal cells, we observed a decline in glutathione levels within the testicular interstitium. Remarkably, these Cd34 + /Sox4 + mesenchymal cells exhibited clonogenic self-renewal capacity and a robust propensity to differentiate into LCs. Intriguingly, when transplanted into LC-disrupted or failure models, Cd34 + /Sox4 + cells efficiently colonized the testicular interstitium, resulting in a notable increase in testosterone production. Exploring the epigenetic landscape, we identified critical transcription factors, most notably Sox4, governing the stem cell fate of Cd34 + /Sox4 + mesenchymal cells. Overall, this comprehensive lifespan-resolved single-cell atlas of testicular interstitial cells provides fundamental insights into LC progenitor biology and regenerative capacity during aging.

Source: eLife

DOI: 10.7554/elife.100396