Mesenchymal Stem Cells in the Wharton's Jelly of the Human Umbilical Cord

Abstract

The Wharton's jelly of the umbilical cord contains mucoid connective tissue and fibroblast-like cells. Using flow cytometric analysis, we found that mesenchymal cells isolated from the umbilical cord express matrix receptors (CD44, CD105) and integrin markers (CD29, CD51) but not hematopoietic lineage markers (CD34, CD45). Interestingly, these cells also express significant amounts of mesenchymal stem cell markers (SH2, SH3). We therefore investigated the potential of these cells to differentiate into cardiomyocytes by treating them with 5-azacytidine or by culturing them in cardiomyocyteconditioned medium and found that both sets of conditions resulted in the expression of cardiomyocyte markers, namely N-cadherin and cardiac troponin I. We also showed that these cells have multilineage potential and that, under suitable culture conditions, are able to differentiate into cells of the adipogenic and osteogenic lineages. These findings may have a significant impact on studies of early human cardiac differentiation, functional genomics, pharmacological testing, cell therapy, and tissue engineering by helping to eliminate worrying ethical and technical issues.

Human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells differentiate into epidermal-like cells using a novel co-culture technique

“…hUCMSCs have the advantages of being less controversial (derived from abandoned umbilical cords after delivery) as well as relatively simple to isolate. Moreover, hUCMSCs have extensive differentiation potential to multiple mesenchymal lineages under controlled conditions and are considered to be at an earlier stage as compared to MSCs derived from adult fat or bone marrow (Wang et al 2004;Wu et al 2007). Therefore, the present study sought to determine if hUCMSCs can differentiate into epidermal lineage cells in vitro using an indirect co-culture method with ESCs.…”

“…The isolation of hUCMSCs was performed as previously described (Wang et al 2004). In brief, the umbilical cord was cut into 1-cm pieces, and the vessels were removed.…”

“…Previous studies have reported the in vitro differentiation of hUCMSCs into mesoderm-type cells, such as osteoblasts, chondrocytes, adipocytes, cardiomyocytes, skeletal muscle cells, and endothelial cells Conconi et al 2006;Hoerstrup et al 2002;Sarugaser et al 2005;Schmidt et al 2006;Wang et al 2004;Wu et al 2007) as well as cells of nonmesoderm lineages, including neurocytes (Wang et al 2004;Fu et al 2004;Ma et al 2005;Mitchell et al 2003). hUC blood-derived MSCs enhanced wound healing in mice by differentiating into keratinocytes (Luo et al 2010).…”

Updates on stem cells and their applications in regenerative medicine

“…However, throughout the organism's life, non-ESCs retain a multipotent differentiation potential. Non-ESCs can be derived from several sources including amniotic fluid (De Coppi et al, 2007), umbilical cord tissue (Wharton's jelly) (Wang et al, 2004), fat tissue (Zuk et al, 2001), central nervous system (Gage, 2000), bone marrow (Caplan, 1991), retina (Tropepe et al, 2000) and skin (Toma et al, 2001). Here we discuss some of the main sources of adult stem cells with translational potential.…”

“…Umbilical cord blood is a source of both pluripotent stem cells (Kogler et al, 2004) and haematopoietic stem cells. The umbilical cord matrix was found to be a source of multipotent stem cells (Mitchell et al, 2003, Wang et al, 2004. When transplanted to an allo-recipient, these cells show low immunogenicity and can even have localized immunosuppressive functions.…”