OBJECTIVETo investigate the biological function of hepatocyte-like cells derived from mesenchymal stem cells that isolated from human umbilical cord UC-MSCs in vitro, and to detect the changes in the immunogenicity of the differentiated hepatocyte-like cells (DHC).

METHODSTransdifferentiation of UC-MSCs into hepatic lineage in vitro was induced in modified two-step induction medium. The expressions of hepatic specific markers were detected by RT-PCR analysis and immunofluorescence staining at different time points after induction. The levels of albumin and urea in the supernatants of cultures were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Furthermore, the immunosuppressive property of DHC was detected by one-way mixed lymphocyte culture.

RESULTSThe mRNA and proteins of alpha fetoprotein (AFP), albumin (ALB),and cytokeratin-19 (CK-19) were expressed in naive UC-MSCs at low levels. DHC highly expressed hepatic markers AFP, ALB, CK-19, and tryptophan 2, 3-dioxygenase 14 and 28 days after hepatic differentiation and were accompanied by an increased production of ALB and urea in supernatant in a time-dependent manner. DHC did not express human leukocyte antigen DR antigen and significantly decreased the lymphocyte proliferation.

CONCLUSIONUC-MSCs are able to differentiate into functional hepatocyte-like cells in vitro, while the immunogenicity of DHC remains low.

Cell Transdifferentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; Hepatocytes ; cytology ; immunology ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Umbilical Cord ; cytology

OBJECTIVEThis literature review aims to summarize the methods of isolation, expansion, differentiation and preservation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs), for comprehensive understanding and practical use in preclinical research and clinical trials.

DATA SOURCESAll the literature reviewed was published over the last 10 years and is listed in PubMed and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). Studies were retrieved using the key word "human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells".

RESULTSExplants culture and enzymatic digestion are two methods to isolate hUCMSCs from WJ and there are modifications to improve these methods. Culture conditions may affect the expansion and differentiating orientations of hUCMSCs. In addition, hUCMSCs can maintain their multi-potential effects after being properly frozen and thawed.

CONCLUSIONConsidering their multi-potential, convenient and non-invasive accessibility, low immunogenicity and the reported therapeutic effects in several different preclinical animal models, hUCMSCs have immense scope in regeneration medicine as a substitute for MSCs derived from bone marrow or umbilical cord blood.

Cell Culture Techniques ; methods ; Cell Differentiation ; physiology ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Umbilical Cord ; cytology

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) could be obtained from many sources, and there are differences between them. This study was purposed to compare and analyze the basic biological characteristics of umbilical cord, adipose tissue-and bone marrow-derived MSC (UC-MSCs, AD-MSCs and BM-MSCs). The MSCs were isolated from umbilical cord, adipose tissue and bone marrow were cultured; the morphology of UC-MSCs, AD-MSCs and BM-MSCs was observed by using microscopy; the immunophenotype, differentiation potential and expression of peroxisome proliferation-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) mRNA were detected by using flow cytometry, differentiation test (von kossais and 0:1 red O staining) and quantitative fluorescent PCR, respectively. The results showed that the UC-MSCs, AD-MSCs and BM-MSCs displayed similar morphology under confocal microscope after being stained with rhodamine phalloidin and DAPL. The immunophenotypes of these three originated cells conform to coincide with identification criterion for MSCs, and showed similar expression level. During adipogenic induction the adipogenic potential of these MSCs was different, AD-MSCs exhibited the highest adipogenic potential, UC-MSCs displayed the lowest, while potential of BM-MSCs get between; however, the osteogenic differentiation potential of UC-MSCs, AD-MSCs and BM-MSCs was similar. The PCR detection showed that the expression level of PPAR-γ mRNA was the highest in AD-MSCs and the lowest in UC-MSCs, while expression level in BM-MSCs get between, these results were identical with the adipogenic potential, suggest that the difference of adipogenic potential in 3 kinds of MSCs was associated with basic expression level of PPAR-γ mRNA. It is concluded that UC-MSCs, AD-MSCs and BM-MSCs exhibit similar morphology, the immunophenotypes of these MSCs coincide with identification criterion for MSCs, the osteogenic potential of these MSCs is similar, while the adipogenic potential and the expression level of PPAR-γ mRNA are different. The difference-associated mechanisms need to further study.
Adipogenesis ; Adipose Tissue ; cytology ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cell Separation ; Cells, Cultured ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Umbilical Cord ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo review the recent studies about human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) and advances in the treatment of spinal cord injury. Data sources Published articles (1983 - 2007) about hUCMSCs and spinal cord injury were selected using Medline. Study selection Articles selected were relevant to development of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for transplantation in spinal cord injury therapy. Of 258 originally identified articles 51 were selected that specifically addressed the stated purpose.

RESULTSRecent work has revealed that hUCMSCs share most of the characteristics with MSCs derived from bone marrow and are more appropriate to transplantation for cell based therapies.

CONCLUSIONSHuman umbilical cord could be regarded as a source of MSCs for experimental and clinical needs. In addition, as a peculiar source of stem cells, hUCMSCs may play an important role in the treatment of spinal cord injury.

Humans ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; physiology ; Models, Biological ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; pathology ; therapy ; Stem Cell Transplantation ; Umbilical Cord ; cytology

Because advantage of tissue origin and proliferation potential, the umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSC) and placental chorionic villous-derived mesenchymal stem cells (CV-MSC) have clinical application potential, as compared with bone marrow MSC. But whether the differences of biological characteristics exist between UC-MSC and CV-MSC, which deserve to be further explored. This study was purposed to compare the biological characteristics of UC-MSC and CV-MSC. The placental and umbilical cord were cleaned by using the sterile physiological salt, the UC-MSC and CV-MSC were separated by enzyme digestion. Short tandem repeat (STR) analysis was used to detect whether the MSC obtained from fetal tissue. MTT method was used to detect proliferation of MSC. Flow cytometry was applied to analyze cell phenotype. The different differential medium was used to detect their multi-directional differentiation capacity. After the MSC and PHA-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells were co-cultured, the γ-interferon (IFN-γ) levels of the co-culture supernatant were detected using the ELISA. The results showed that these MSC were derived from fetal tissue by STR analysis. They were adherent cells with typical fibroblast morphology. Cells expressed the MSC surface markers CD90, CD73 and CD105 and CD44, not expressed CD45 and of CD11b and CD34.These cells could differentiate into osteoblasts and adipoblasts under culture with different conditioned medium, but in the adipogenic differentiation of CV-MSC, the larger lipid droplets appeared. It is concluded that these cells are obtained MSC. These MSC can inhibit peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated by PHA to secrete IFN-γ, and the the CV-MSC have a stronger suppression capacity, which makes the CV-MSC to have a greater advantage in the treatment of autoimmune diseases.
Cell Differentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Placenta ; cytology ; Pregnancy ; Umbilical Cord ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the possibility of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSC) differentiating into human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLC) by establishing a coculture model in vitro.

METHODSIndirect coculture model of hPDLC with hUCMSC was established on Transwell system. The protein expression of bone sialoprotein(BSP), osteocalcin(OCN) and osteopontin (OPN) was examined by immunohistochemical staining. The changes of hUCMSC on molecular level were analyzed by Western blotting.

RESULTShUCMSC was in the form of polygon and rhombus after induction by hPDLC. Immunohistochemistry staining and Western blotting showed that OCN and OPN were up-regulated [OCN:(0.88 +/- 0.21)vs (1.42 +/- 0.17), OPN: (0.93 +/- 0.13) vs (1.43 +/- 0.22), P < 0.05] and BSP was down-regulated [(1.60 +/- 0.09) vs (0.75 +/- 0.20), P < 0.05] after coculture.

CONCLUSIONShUCMSC can differentiate into hPDLC under certain conditions in vitro and hUCMSC may hopefully become the stem cells in periodontal tissue engineering.

Cell Differentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; Coculture Techniques ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Periodontal Ligament ; cytology ; Tissue Engineering ; Umbilical Cord ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo explore the feasibility of using a virus-free system in the induction of umbilical cord derived mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) into insulin-secreting cells.

METHODSMSCs were isolated from human umbilical cord and induced into insulin-secreting cells with a three-stage method. The mRNA expression levels of foxa2, sox17, pdx1, ngn3, pax4, insulin, and glut-2 were compared between induced and non-induced groups by RT-PCR in each stage. The distribution pattern of insulin and c-peptide were detected by immunofluorescence staining and observed by fluorescence microscopy. Insulin and c-peptide secretion and glucose responsiveness were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSTranscription factors foxa2, sox17, pdx1, ngn3, pax4, insulin, and glut-2 were expressed in the induced cells. The mRNA expression levels of foxa2 and sox17 were significantly higher in the induced group than those in non-induced group in the first stage (all P < 0.05), pdx1, ngn3, and pax4 were significantly higher in the induced cells than those in non-induced cells in the second stage (all P < 0.05), and insulin and glut-2 expressions were significantly up-regulated in the induced group at last stage (all P < 0.05). Immunofluorescence staining showed that insulin and c-peptide were located in the cytoplasm of more than 90% of induced cells. ELISA showed that total intracellular insulin content of the induced cells contained up to (346.3 739 +/- 32.5 149) microU/ml, which was significantly higher than insulin in non-induced cells (17.69 +/- 1.46) microU/ml (P < 0.01). C-peptide content of the induced cells measured up to (195.10 +/- 8.88) pmol/L/h (P < 0.01), when exposed to 5.5 mmol/L glucose (P < 0.01). When stimulated with 22 mmol/L glucose, the c-peptide content of the induced cells increased to (340.99 +/- 7.91) pmol/L/h (P < 0.01 ).

CONCLUSIONThe umbilical cord derived MSCs can be efficiently induced into insulin-secreting cells via a virus-free system.

Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Differentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; Humans ; Islets of Langerhans ; cytology ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Umbilical Cord ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo explore the feasibility of inducing human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (HuMSCs) to differentiate into Leydig cells through conditioned medium derived from Leydig cells.

METHODSHuMSCs and Leydig cells were obtained by tissue blocks culture attachment and enzymatic digestion respectively. HuMSCs were induced by conditioned medium of Leydig cells as an experiment group while those before induction were cultured as a control group. The expressions of LHR, 3β-HSD and StAR in the induced HuMSCs were determined by RT-PCR after 3, 7 and 10 days of culture; those of CYP11A1, CYP17A1 and 3β-HSD measured by immunofluorescence staining after 2 weeks; and that of 3β-HSD detected by Western blot after 4 weeks.

RESULTSThe experimental group showed positively expressed LHR, 3β-HSD and StAR at 3, 7 and 10 days, CYP11A1, CYP17A1 and 3β-HSD at 2 weeks, and 3β-HSD at 4 weeks, while the control group revealed negative expressions at all the time points.

CONCLUSIONInduced with conditioned culture medium derived from Leydig cells, HuMSCs are likely to differentiate into steroidogenic cells and eventually into Leydig cells.

Cell Differentiation ; Culture Media, Conditioned ; Humans ; Leydig Cells ; cytology ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Umbilical Cord ; cytology

This study was aimed to investigate the immunomodulatory ability of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UB-MSC) along with prolonging of culture time and increasing of passages in vitro. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) were isolated from human umbilical cord and cultured in vitro. The morphological changes and nucleocytoplasmic ratio of MSC were observed using Giemsa staining. MSC of the 5th passage were selected as control group, and MSC of the 13th passage were taken as senile group. The degree of cell senescence was detected by aging cells in situ test kit. Cell Counting Kit-WST-8 was used to determine the proliferation of lymphocytes in mixed lymphocytes coculture system with different passages of MSC. The expression of immunomodulation-related genes was detected by RT-PCR. The results showed that the length-breadth ratio of MSC increased and nucleocytoplasmic ratio decreased along with the increasing of passages. The senium degree of cells of the 13th passage was higher than that of the 5th passage cells. The capacity of suppressing lymphocyte proliferation of the 13th passage MSC was enhanced, compared with the 5th passage. Moreover, the expression of immunosuppression-related genes of senile MSC increased and the expression of most anti-inflammation associated genes declined as compared with young MSC by RT-PCR. It is concluded that the degree of MSC senescence gradually develops with increasing of culture passage, but the immunosuppressive ability of MSC strengthens with continuous culture.
Cell Differentiation ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Cellular Senescence ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; cytology ; immunology ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; Umbilical Cord ; cytology

Aim of this study was to explore the effects of cryopreservation on biological characteristics of wharton's jelly derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSC), and to provide experimental evidence for clinical applications and the establishment of WJ-MSC bank. Primary WJ-MSC were produced by umbilical cord tissue culture in vitro. Fifth passage of WJ-MSC acquired by continuous cell culture were mixed with cryoprotectants, frozen in -80°C refrigerator and stored in liquid nitrogen. After the cryopreserved WJ-MSC were thawed, the first passage of WJ-MSC was obtained through cell culture and was taken as the 1st preserved passage (PP1). Thus, PP2-PP15 WJ-MSC were obtained by continuous cell subculture. The 1st control passage (CP1) to 15th passage (CP15) represented the 6th passage to 21st passage WJ-MSC acquired by subculturing in non-cryopreserved group. The biological characteristics of WJ-MSC from cryopreserved and control group, including the recovery rate of nucleated cells, trypan blue exclusion, CCK-8 activity, cell apoptosis, cell adherence, proliferation index, cell surface antigen, cell cycle and the capacities of induced differentiation into adipocyte, osteoblast and neuron, were detected and compared. The results indicated that the recovery rate of nucleated cells of cryopreserved WJ-MSC was 98.2%, trypan blue exclusion rate was 94.3%, CCK-8 activity was 91.4%, apoptotic rate was 3.9%, and the adherence rate was 92.6%. There was a statistically significant difference in proliferation index between PP1 and CP1 (P < 0.05), but there were no statistically significant differences between PP2-PP15 and their corresponding controls. The subculture cells highly expressed CD29, CD44, CD71, CD73, CD90, CD105, CD166 and HLA-ABC, and lowly expressed CD34, CD45 and HLA-DR. The expressions of above-mentioned surface antigens were not different statistically between two groups. The proliferation latency and logarithm proliferation of the subculture cells between two groups were also not different. After induced differentiation into adipocyte, osteoblast and neuron, the staining with oil red O, alkaline phosphatase and neuron-specific enolase was performed respectively, and the positive degrees were not clearly different macroscopically between two groups. Relatively high levels of triglyceride, alkaline phosphatase, and neuron-specific enolase in relevant cells could be detected, but had no significant differences between two groups. It is concluded that some WJ-MSC (< 10%) are damaged after cryopreservation, and the biological characteristics of WJ-MSC in cryopreservation group keep constant, as compared with that in non-cryopreservation group.
Cell Differentiation ; Cell Survival ; Cryopreservation ; methods ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Sincalide ; metabolism ; Umbilical Cord ; cytology ; metabolism ; Wharton Jelly ; cytology