Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2010, Vol. 14 ›› Issue (40): 7583-7587.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-8225.2010.40.040

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In vitro female germline potential of human umbilical cord-derived matrix stem cells

Li Cai-xia, Wang Feng-ying, Liang Zhi-qing, Li Yu-yan, Yu Chi-yang, Chang Qing, Long Ling   

  1. Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University of Chinese PLA, Chongqing 400038, China
  • Online:2010-10-01 Published:2010-10-01
  • Contact: Wang Feng-ying, Doctor, Master’s supervisor, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University of Chinese PLA, Chongqing 400038, China fyw018@163.com
  • About author:Li Cai-xia★, Master, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University of Chinese PLA, Chongqing 400038, China caixia111@21cn.com

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Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) have been shown to possess the potential to differentiate into oocytes. However, immune rejection and a limited number of donors of BM-MSCs constrain the applications of BM-MSCs. Several studies have demonstrated that human umbilical cord matrix stem cells (UC-MSCs) also have an intrinsic ability to differentiate into oocyte-like cells in vitro.
OBJECTIVE: To establish the method for UC-MSCs culture and to investigate the in vitro differentiation potential of UC-MSCs towards germ cells.
METHODS: Umbilical cord from full-term normal deliveries was obtained in sterile condition. Collagenase I-digested cells were cultured in DMEM. The immunophenotype of cells was determined by flow cytometry. Lipoblasts, osteoblasts and chondroblasts were induced in different condition cultures. The expression of germ cells specific marker in UC-MSCs was determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Follicular fluid was employed to induce UC-MSCs differentiation into germ cells.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Spindle-like umbilical cord cells were shown and cells in culture were extended to more than 10 passages. BM-MSCs-like immunophenotypes were shown: CD29, CD44, CD73 (SH3), CD90 and CD105 (SH2) were positive; SSEA-4 was weakly positive; CD31, CD34, CD45 and HLA-DR were negative. After UC-MSCs were induced in different condition cultures, lipid droplet-, bone tubercle-, and cartilage tubercle-like structures emerged and the mRNA expressions of specific gene of fat, bone and cartilage were observed. Germ cells markers, OCT4, Stella, Ifitm3, were expressed in UC-MSCs. After induced by 5%, 10% or 20% follicular fluid, cells aggregated and oocyte-like structures were observed. Human UC-MSCs could be cultured and amplificated in vitro. UC-MSCs showed immunophenotypes similar to BM-MSCs. UC-MSCs had the potential to differentiate into lipoblasts, osteoblasts, and chondroblasts. Oocyte-like structure was induced in vitro from UC-MSCs with germ cells specific marker. These findings suggest that UC-NSCs have the potential to differentiate into germ cells.

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