Stem Cell Research (Jun 2024)

Generate an AZFa deleted human embryonic stem cell line

  • Yuting Zhen,
  • Qina He,
  • Chao Sun,
  • Yanlin Ma,
  • Qi Li,
  • Luan Wen

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 77
p. 103436

Abstract

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Y chromosome deletion and karyotype abnormalities are commonly associated with congenital non-obstructive azoospermia, impairing spermatogenesis. Specifically, the deletion of the Y chromosome Azoospermia factor a (AZFa) has been identified in infertile males with severely impaired spermatogenesis. AZFa, encompassing megabase-scale of the Y chromosome region, poses challenges in modeling AZFa deletion-related male infertility using gene editing tools. Here, we successfully created an AZFa-deleted human embryonic stem cell line utilizing the CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing tool. Our analysis indicates the AZFa-deleted stem cell line holds promise for differentiation into ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm, highlighting its potential for further comprehensive study.