Generating CK19-positive cells with hair-like structures from Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stromal cells

Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stromal cells (WJMSCs) are considered mesenchymal, multipotent, and capable of differentiating into cells of mesodermal origin. Ectodermal differentiation from mesenchymal cells has been recently reported. Herein, we show for the first time that we can generate cytokeratin 19-positive cells and hair-like structures from WJMSCs in vitro using 2 separate methodologies that utilize osteogenic media to induce WJMSCs to undergo osteogenic differentiation. In one method, WJMSCs were seeded on a matrix isolated from Wharton's jelly following decellularization. In the other method, WJMSCs were cultured to form spheroids. Our findings demonstrate that WJMSCs may have the capacity for ectodermal differentiation.