Induction of human umbilical Wharton's jelly-derived stem cells toward oligodendrocyte phenotype

In this study, we examined phenotypic features of human Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells-derived oligodendrocytes. We induced human WJMSCs to form OLs by signaling molecules including basic fibroblastic growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor-AA, and triiodothyronine hormone. Differentiated WJMSCs showed morphologic characteristics of an OL phenotype. Expression of surface markers and genes in oligodendrocyte precursor cells or OLs were analyzed by immunocytochemistry staining and real-time polymerase chain reaction, respectively. These results suggest that WJMSCs could be programmed to OLs and might provide a potential source for cell therapy in neurodegenerative disease.