Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Different sources of stem cells have different molecular characteristics and growth characteristics; therefore, there are some differences in therapeutic mechanisms and effects.
OBJECTIVE: To compare mesenchymal stem cells growth characteristics form two sources.
METHODS: Mesenchymal stem cells from the umbilical cord and the embryonic liver were isolated and cultured. Passage 5 cells were used to observe the cell morphology, calculate the doubling time of cell population-doubling time, identify surface markers and determine the differentiation capacity. Mesenchymal stem cells from the umbilical cord were subcultured to passages 10 and 15, and cell curves were drawn and population doubling time was calculated.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Mesenchymal stem cells from these two sources in logarithmic phase were fusiform and grew spirally with osteogenic, adipogenic, and chondrogenic capacities. The growth curves of cells were both S-shaped. At passage 5, the doubling time was (34.37±0.31) hours for embryonic liver-derived mesenchymal stem cells and (35.63±0.38) hours for umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells, and there was no significant difference (P > 0.05). However, the population doubling time of passages 10 and 15 umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells was (52.6±0.53) and (53.27±0.92) hours, respectively, which was significantly difference from that of passage 5 cells (P < 0.05). The cell morphology and growth curve from two sources are basically the same. Embryonic liver-derived stem cells are smaller and proliferate faster than umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells, but no statistical difference is found between the two types.