Effects of maternal age on the expression of mesenchymal stem cell markers in the components of human umbilical cord

Abstract

Introduction. Although the human umbilical cord (UC) has been previously considered a medical waste, its use as a main source of fetal stem cells for regenerative medicine applications has increased over the past few years. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of the maternal age on the expression of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) markers CD105 and CD29 in the different areas of human UC. Material and methods. In this comparative cross sectional study, one hundred term UCs from five maternal age groups (20-45 years) were collected after delivery from healthy mothers and were processed to assess both immuno-and gene expression of CD105 and CD29 surface antigen markers using immunohistochemical and RT-PCR techniques. Results. The immunoexpression of CD105 and CD29 in the amniotic membrane (AM) and Wharton's jelly (WJ), the umbilical artery (UA) and the umbilical vein (UV) showed significant negative correlation with the maternal age (p < 0.001). Reduced amount of cells as well as the studied MSC markers and their gene expression levels were documented in older age mothers. CD105-positive MSCs were more abundant in the UA, whereas CD29-positive MSCs were more abundant in the AM and WJ. Conclusion. The decreased expression of CD105 and CD29 MSCs markers with age suggests that selective isolation of MSCs from Wharton's jelly, umbilical artery or umbilical vein of younger mothers should be recommended.

Human nail stem cells are retained but hypofunctional during aging

“…This trend has been confirmed in other skin stem cells, such as hair follicle stem cells (Giangreco et al 2008 ; Keyes et al 2013 ; Schultz and Sinclair 2016 ). Although some researchers detected decreased expression of mesenchymal stem cell markers in components of the human umbilical cord, as well as a trend for age-related changes of stem cell markers, we were unable to find many studies that illustrate the change of stem cell numbers with age (Alrefaei et al 2015 ; Cuevas-Diaz Duran et al 2013 ). Instead, regarding skin stem cells, some studies have found that the number of stem cells increases or does not vary with age (Keyes et al 2013 ; Schultz and Sinclair 2016 ).…”

Effect of Mother’s Age and Pathology on Functional Behavior of Amniotic Mesenchymal Stromal Cells—Hints for Bone Regeneration

“…It has been demonstrated that MSCs age in different organs [34], and that the increase in reactive oxygen species and epigenetic changes may underlie these alterations [31,35,36], that may well be at work also in aged placentas. Interestingly, Alrefaei et al [37] determined by an immunohistochemistry study on MSCs in AM and Warthon's jelly of the umbilical cord, that CD105 and CD29 expression showed an inverse correlation with age, with the least expression in women aged older than 40 years. As concerning pre-eclampsia, this pathological condition is thought to be due to inadequate placental cytotrophoblast invasion, followed by widespread maternal endothelial dysfunction, which leads to placental hypoperfusion and ischemia [38][39][40].…”

Premature fetal tissues are possible source of valuable mesenchymal stem cells

“…It was found that WJ-MSCs derived from the extreme cord segments are better source of MSCs compared with cells from the middle segment because of their higher proliferation rate and viability [28]. In the research on 100 term pregnancies, from five maternal age groups (20-45 years), reduced number of cells as well as the level of MSCs markers expression were reported in older mothers [29].…”