Isolation and Characterization of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived from Human Umbilical Cord Wharton�s Jelly and Amniotic Membrane

• Main Authors: T Pirjali, N Azarpira, M Ayatollahi, MH Aghdai, B Geramizadeh, T Talai
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shiraz University of Medical Sciences 2013-07-01
• Series: International Journal of Organ Transplantation Medicine
• Subjects: Mesenchymal Stromal cells; Amnion; Umbilical cord
• Online Access: http://www.ijotm.com/ojs/index.php/IJOTM/article/view/138

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have a capacity for self-renewal and multi-potential differentiations. These cells are considered powerful sources for cell therapy in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. The cells can be isolated from various tissues; however, harvesting from human umbilical cord and amniotic membrane is easy and accessible source. Objective: To isolate and characterize the MSCs derived from human umbilical cord Wharton’s jelly (WJMSC) and amniotic membrane (AM-MSC) with regard to their morphology, immunophenotype and mesodermal differentiation potential in order to obtain an alternative source of MSC for therapeutic clinical applications. Methods: Fetal membranes and umbilical cords (n=3) were retrieved from healthy full-term women by elective cesarean delivery. Amniotic membrane and umbilical cord were separately minced and cultured in DMEM supplemented with 10% FBS. After reaching 80% of confluency, the umbilical cord WJ-MSC and AM-MSC were characterized by expression of cell surface markers with flowcytometry, stem cell gene expression with adipogenic/osteogenic potential. Results: Both WJ-MSC and AM-MSC were spindle-shaped cells, expressed MSC surface markers in flowcytometry and stem cell transcriptional factors (OCT4 and NANOG). After induction, the cells differentiated into adipogenic and osteogenic lineages. Conclusion: MSC were successfully generated from umbilical cord WJ-MSC and AM-MSC with similar mesenchymal markers and properties.