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World J Stem Cells. Apr 26, 2014; 6(2): 203-212
Published online Apr 26, 2014. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v6.i2.203
Published online Apr 26, 2014. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v6.i2.203
Differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into gonad and adrenal steroidogenic cells
Takashi Yazawa, Takanobu Taniguchi, Department of Biochemistry, Asahikawa Medical University, Hokkaido 078-8510, Japan
Takashi Yazawa, Yoshitaka Imamichi, Kaoru Miyamoto, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-1193, Japan
Akihiro Umezawa, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan
Author contributions: Yazawa T, Umezawa A and Miyamoto K designed the research; Yazawa T and Imamichi Y performed the research; Yazawa T and Taniguchi T wrote the paper.
Supported by Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan, No. 23590329; the Terumo Life Science Foundation, and the Smoking Research Foundation
Correspondence to: Takashi Yazawa, Lecturer, Department of Biochemistry, Asahikawa Medical University, Midorigaoka Higashi 2-1-1-1, Asahikawa, Hokkaido 078-8510, Japan. yazawa@asahikawa-med.ac.jp
Telephone: +81-166-682342 Fax: +81-166-682349
Received: November 2, 2013
Revised: December 24, 2013
Accepted: January 17, 2014
Published online: April 26, 2014
Revised: December 24, 2013
Accepted: January 17, 2014
Published online: April 26, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: Stem cells can be a potential source of cells for regenerative medicine for diseases caused by steroidogenesis deficiency. Among various stem cell types, mesenchymal stem cells have the potential to differentiate into steroidogenic cells both in vivo and in vitro. This system can also provide a powerful tool for studying the molecular mechanisms of steroidogenesis and its related diseases.