Multi-lineage differentiation of human umbilical cord Wharton's Jelly Mesenchymal Stromal Cells mediates changes in the expression profile of stemness markers

PLoS One. 2015 Apr 7;10(4):e0122465. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0122465. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

Wharton's Jelly- derived Mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) have gained interest as an alternative source of stem cells for regenerative medicine because of their potential for self-renewal, differentiation and unique immunomodulatory properties. Although many studies have characterized various WJ-MSCs biologically, the expression profiles of the commonly used stemness markers have not yet been addressed. In this study, WJ-MSCs were isolated and characterized for stemness and surface markers expression. Flow cytometry, immunofluorescence and qRT-PCR analysis revealed predominant expression of CD29, CD44, CD73, CD90, CD105 and CD166 in WJ-MSCs, while the hematopoietic and endothelial markers were absent. Differential expression of CD 29, CD90, CD105 and CD166 following adipogenic, osteogenic and chondrogenic induction was observed. Furthermore, our results demonstrated a reduction in CD44 and CD73 expressions in response to the tri-lineage differentiation induction, suggesting that they can be used as reliable stemness markers, since their expression was associated with undifferentiated WJ-MSCs only.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adipogenesis
  • Adult
  • Antigens, Differentiation / biosynthesis
  • Cell Differentiation*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chondrogenesis
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / cytology
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Osteogenesis
  • Umbilical Cord / cytology
  • Umbilical Cord / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antigens, Differentiation

Grants and funding

RA-2013-009 and 2012-1302-03, www.kfas.org, Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences, for AAM and HA, respectively. OMICSRU grant SRUL02/13 for HA. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.