Human mesenchymal stem cells isolated from the umbilical cord

Abstract

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are known as a population of multi-potential cells able to proliferate and differentiate into multiple mesodermal tissues including bone, cartilage, muscle, ligament, tendon, fat and stroma. In this study human MSCs were successfully isolated from the umbilical cords. The research characteristics of these cells, e.g., morphologic appearance, surface antigens, growth curve, cytogenetic features, cell cycle, differentiation potential and gene expression were investigated. After 2weeks of incubation, fibroblast-like cells appeared to be dominant. During the second passage the cells presented a homogeneous population of spindle fibroblast-like cells. After more than 4months (approximately 26 passages), the cells continued to retain their characteristics. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that CD29, CD44, CD95, CD105 and HLA-I were expressed on the cell surface, but there was no expression of hematopoietic lineage markers, such as CD34, CD38, CD71 and HLA-DR. Chromosomal analysis showed the cells kept a normal karyotype. The cell cycle at the third passage showed the percentage of G(0)/G(1), G(2)/M and S phase were 88.86%, 5.69% and 5.45%, respectively. The assays in vitro demonstrated the cells exhibited multi-potential differentiation into osteogenic and adipogenic cells. Both BMI-1 and nucleostemin genes, expressed in adult MSCs from bone marrow, were also expressed in umbilical cord MSCs. Here we show that umbilical cords may be a novel alternative source of human MSCs for experimental and clinical applications.

Cord lining progenitor cells: potential in vitro adipogenesis model

“…This is consistent with observations made by other groups dealing with mesenchymal cells. 15,17,26 It is expected that there is no PPARg gene expression in naive CLMCs, as this gene is induced only before transcriptional activation of most adipocyte genes. 27 There is no significant difference in the intensity of gene expression among the four differentiation-treatment groups of different glucose and insulin concentrations.…”

Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell transplantation in severe and refractory systemic lupus erythematosus

“…In addition, the umbilical cord (UC) is a rich source of MSCs (19). Flow cytometric analysis revealed that CD29, CD44, CD95, and CD105 were expressed on the cell surface of UC MSCs, but there was no expression of hematopoietic lineage markers, such as CD34, CD38, CD71, and HLA-DR (20). In addition, colony-forming unit fibroblast frequency was higher in UC nucleated cells than in BM nucleated cells.…”

Comparative study of technique to obtain stem cells from bone marrow collection between the iliac crest and the femoral epiphysis in rabbits

“…They have two very important characteristics: self-renewal and differentiation potential. Furthermore, stem cells from different organs and tissues (heart, liver, brain, bone marrow, muscles, spleen) can be derived and propagated in vitro 11,12,13,14 .…”