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Isolation and Characterization of Human Umbilical Cord-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Preterm and Term Infants
Published on: January 26, 2019
Mesenchymal stem cells from CD34(-) human umbilical cord blood
X Lu1, S Alshemali, E A de Wynter
1Haematological Sciences, School of Clinical & Laboratory Sciences, Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. x.lu@leeds.ac.uk
Transfusion Medicine (Oxford, England)
|December 2, 2009
Summary
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are found in umbilical cord blood (UCB) within the CD34(-) fraction. These undifferentiated MSCs can differentiate into adipocytes, osteoblasts, and chondrocytes, offering therapeutic potential.
Area of Science:
- Stem Cell Biology
- Regenerative Medicine
- Hematology
Background:
- Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is a recognized source of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs).
- Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been identified in UCB, but their undifferentiated phenotype is poorly characterized.
- Understanding MSC surface markers is crucial for their isolation and therapeutic application.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if undifferentiated mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) reside within the CD34(-) fraction of umbilical cord blood (UCB).
- To characterize the surface phenotype of undifferentiated MSCs from UCB.
- To assess the differentiation potential of UCB-derived MSCs into multiple lineages.
Main Methods:
- Separation of CD34(+) and CD34(-) cells from UCB mononuclear cells (MNCs) using magnetic sorting.
- Culture of isolated cell fractions and characterization of adherent fibroblast-like cells at passage 3-4.
- Analysis of cell surface marker expression via fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and assessment of differentiation potential through standard adipogenic, osteogenic, and chondrogenic assays.
Main Results:
- Adherent fibroblast-like cells cultured from the CD34(-) fraction exhibited positive staining for MSC markers CD29, CD73, and CD105.
- These CD34(-) derived cells successfully differentiated into adipocytes, osteoblasts, and chondrocytes, confirmed by gene expression and specific staining.
- Cells from the CD34(+) fraction did not yield MSCs or exhibit differentiation potential under the same culture conditions.
Conclusions:
- Undifferentiated mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are exclusively located within the CD34(-) fraction of umbilical cord blood (UCB).
- UCB-derived MSCs possess multipotent differentiation capabilities, including adipogenesis, osteogenesis, and chondrogenesis.
- This study clarifies the phenotype of undifferentiated MSCs in UCB, supporting their potential for regenerative medicine applications.
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