Comparison of Human Amniotic, Chorionic, and Umbilical Cord Multipotent Mesenchymal Stem Cells Regarding Their Capacity for Differentiation Toward Female Germ Cells

Abstract

Placenta harbors a plentiful source of various cells with stem cells or stem-like cell properties, which can be used in therapeutic procedures and research. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have attracted much attention due to their specific differentiation potential and tolerogenic properties. MSCs have been isolated from different parts of placenta; however, in this study, we isolated MSCs from amnion and chorion membrane, as well as umbilical cord (Wharton's jelly [WJ]) and compared their capacity regarding differentiation toward female germ cells under influence of 10 ng/mL BMP4. All placenta samples were collected from delivering mothers by normal cesarean section and cells were isolated by different methods. Results showed that all isolated cells were mostly positive for the MSC markers CD73, CD166, and CD105, and minimally reacted with CD34 and CD45 (hematopoietic markers). After differentiation induction using third passage cultured cells, immunocytochemistry staining showed that cells were positive for germline cell-related genes Ssea4, Oct4, and Ddx4, and oocyte-related gene Gdf9. RT-qPCR results indicated that human chorion MSCs (hCMSCs) had a greater potential to be differentiated into female germline cells. Moreover, the results of this study indicate that human umbilical cord MSCs originated from either male or female umbilical cord have the same differentiation potential into female germline cells. We recommend that for presumptive application of MSCs for infertility treatment and research, hUMSCs are best candidates due to their higher differentiation potential, ease of proliferation and expansion, and low immunogenicity.

Umbilical Cord Blood Mesenchymal Stem Cells as an Infertility Treatment for Chemotherapy Induced Premature Ovarian Insufficiency

“…Previous studies have shown that UCMSCs presumably function through the paracrine pathway. In other words, they enhance the environmental factors surrounding the ovarian milieu to better function without differentiating into any of the follicular elements, neither oocytes or granulosa cells due to the absence of evaluating evidence of any meiotic marker to confirm that these cells are haploid [17,18].…”

Human mesenchymal stem cell treatment of premature ovarian failure: new challenges and opportunities

“…Epidermal growth factor (EGF) released from hPMSCs improved premature ovarian insufficiency via NRF2/ HO-1 activation [64]. The derivation of germ cells, both female and male, was possible in vitro from placentaderived MSCs [65]. To date, no studies have described the role of hPMSC-derived exosomes (hPMSCs-EXOs) in POF.…”

Placenta and Placental Derivatives in Regenerative Therapies: Experimental Studies, History, and Prospects

“…By now, cells from the amniotic and chorionic membranes, placental villi, and umbilical cord have been successfully isolated, phenotyped, and characterized [ 74 , 75 ]. Protocols based on trypsin, collagenase, or dispase digestion are used to isolate the cells from the fetal membranes.…”