Quantitative Raman spectral changes of the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into islet-like cells by biochemical component analysis and multiple peak fitting

Abstract

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) differentiate into islet-like cells, providing a possible solution for type I diabetes treatment. To search for the precise molecular mechanism of the directional differentiation of MSC-derived islet-like cells, biomolecular composition, and structural conformation information during MSC differentiation, is required. Because islet-like cells lack specific surface markers, the commonly employed immunostaining technique is not suitable for their identification, physical separation, and enrichment. Combining Raman spectroscopic data, a fitting accuracy-improved biochemical component analysis, and multiple peaks fitting approach, we identified the quantitative biochemical and intensity change of Raman peaks that show the differentiation of MSCs into islet-like cells. Along with increases in protein and glycogen content, and decreases in deoxyribonucleic acid and ribonucleic acid content, in islet-like cells relative to MSCs, it was found that a characteristic peak of insulin (665 cm-1) has twice the intensity in islet-like cells relative to MSCs, indicating differentiation of MSCs into islet-like cells was successful. Importantly, these Raman signatures provide useful information on the structural and pathological states during MSC differentiation and help to develop noninvasive and label-free Raman sorting methods for stem cells and their lineages.

Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells in diabetes mellitus and its complications: applications and research advances

“…HUC-MSCs ameliorate hyperglycaemia and weight loss in DM rats by differentiating them into IPCs (37)(38)(39). HUC-MSCs induced to differentiate into IPCs (40,41) express pancreatic β-cell differentiationrelated genes (e.g. nestin, pancreatic duodenal homeobox-1 (PDX-1), neurogenin3 (NGN3), paired box 6 (PAX6), paired box 4 (PAX4), nk2 homeobox 2 (NKX2.2), nk6 homeobox 1 (NKX6.1), glucose transporter 2 (GLUT-2), and insulin (INS) genes) (42,43), and promote the secretion of serum C-peptide and INS in DM rats (44,45).…”