Isolation and Characterization of Feline Wharton’s Jelly-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Abstract

Background Wharton’s jelly is a well-known mesenchymal stem cell source in many species, including human. However, there have been no reports confirming the presence of mesenchymal stem cells in wharton’s jelly in cats. The purpose of this study was to isolate mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from wharton’s jelly of cats and to characterize stem cells. Result In this study, Feline wharton’s jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (fWJ-MSCs) were isolated and successfully cultured. fWJ-MSCs were maintained and the proliferative potential was measured by cumulative population doubling level (CPDL) test, scratch test and colony forming unit (CFU) test. Stem cell marker, karyotyping and immunophenotyping analysis by flow cytometry showed that fWJ-MSCs possessed characteristic mesenchymal stem cell markers. To confirm the differentiation potential, we performed osteogenic, adipogenic and chondrogenic induction under each differentiation condition. fWJ-MSC has the ability to differentiate into multiple lineages including osteogenic, adipogenic and chondrogenic differentiation. Conclusions This study shows that wharton’s jelly of cat can be a good source of mesenchymal stem cells. In addition, fWJ-MSC may be useful for stem cell-based therapeutic applications in feline medicine.

Isolation and Characterization of Feline Wharton’s Jelly-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

“…In our study, we isolated and cultured cells from feline Wharton’s jelly. Cellular morphology of fWJ-MSCs was fibroblast-like and spindle-like, similar to other MSCs such as adipose-derived MSCs, bone marrow-derived MSCs, peripheral blood-derived MSCs, and umbilical cord blood-derived MSCs [ 20 , 25 , 33 , 46 ]. Additionally, fWJ-MSCs had similar proliferation and characteristics to MSCs derived from other feline tissues [ 29 , 47 ].…”

“…fWJ-MSCs were positive by flow cytometry for CD44 , CD90 and CD105 and negative for CD14 , CD34 and CD105 , similar to MSCs from other feline tissues and WJ-MSCs from other species [ 20 , 49 ]. fWJ-MSCs also had the potential for multiple lineage differentiation, including osteogenic, adipogenic and chondrogenic, similar to other species’ WJ-MSCs [ 25 , 49 ]. Based on this evidence, we suggest that cells derived from feline Wharton’s jelly in this study were MSCs.…”

“…However, little is known about stem cells from Wharton’s jelly in cats. Although the existence of MSCs in Wharton’s jelly has been demonstrated in many species, including humans, canines, swines, bovines, equines, chickens, and mice [ 25 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 ], our study is the first to demonstrate the isolation of fWJ-MSCs exhibiting morphology, proliferation, karyotyping, surface markers, and the capacity to differentiate into multi-lineage.…”

“…Feline Wharton’s jelly was obtained after cesarean section, and collected samples were moved to a sterile culture dish ( Figure 1 A). We isolated fWJ-MSCs from the Wharton’s jelly using conventional methods for stem cell isolation and culture, as previously described [ 25 ]. Cellular morphology was fibroblast-like and spindle-like in identity ( Figure 1 B).…”

“…Cell isolation was performed through modifications such as those previously described [ 1 , 2 , 25 ]. The collected tissue was delivered into the sterile specimen cup and then washed with 0.9% physiological saline to remove as much blood as possible.…”