Differentiation Potential of Human Chorion-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells into Motor Neuron-Like Cells in Two- and Three-Dimensional Culture Systems

Abstract

Many people worldwide suffer from motor neuron-related disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and spinal cord injuries. Recently, several attempts have been made to recruit stem cells to modulate disease progression in ALS and also regenerate spinal cord injuries. Chorion-derived mesenchymal stem cells (C-MSCs), used to be discarded as postpartum medically waste product, currently represent a class of cells with self renewal property and immunomodulatory capacity. These cells are able to differentiate into mesodermal and nonmesodermal lineages such as neural cells. On the other hand, gelatin, as a simply denatured collagen, is a suitable substrate for cell adhesion and differentiation. It has been shown that electrospinning of scaffolds into fibrous structure better resembles the physiological microenvironment in comparison with two-dimensional (2D) culture system. Since there is no report on potential of human chorion-derived MSCs to differentiate into motor neuron cells in two- and three-dimensional (3D) culture systems, we set out to determine the effect of retinoic acid (RA) and sonic hedgehog (Shh) on differentiation of human C-MSCs into motor neuron-like cells cultured on tissue culture plates (2D) and electrospun nanofibrous gelatin scaffold (3D).

Differentiation and Molecular Properties of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived from Murine Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Derived on Gelatin or Collagen

“…Gelatin which is composed of collagen-peptides can form three-dimensional complex structures, possibly inducing differences in germ-layer associated potentials of iPSCs. This hypothesis is compatible with previous reports [32–34]. However, three-dimensional relevance of gelatin remains unresolved in this study.…”

Roles of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Spinal Cord Injury

“…Therefore, they are expected to provide an adequate environment for the regeneration of the injured tissues. Taking into account the well-known capacity of MSCs to secrete paracrine factors and the neural protection function when transplanted into spinal cord lesion models, their combination with a 3D matrix holds great promise to SCI repair [94–97]. …”

Electrospun Fibers for Recruitment and Differentiation of Stem Cells in Regenerative Medicine

“…The nanofibrous scaffold of PCL/collagen was found to initiate differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells derived from Wharton's jelly (WJ‐MSCs) into motor‐neuron like cells in the presence of induction factors . A study shows that the chorion‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (C‐MSCs) with induction factors like retinoic acid and sonichedgehog differentiated into motor nerve cells on 3D gelatin electrospun scaffolds . MSCs cultured on oxygen plasma treated PCL electrospun fibers showed differentiation into neuron cells.…”