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Updated: May 7, 2026
Isolation and Characterization of Human Umbilical Cord-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Preterm and Term Infants
Published on: January 26, 2019
A slowly proliferating subpopulation in human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells in culture
Xing-Ai Ju1, Jin Chen, Li Ding
1Department of Cardiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110016, China.
Abstract:
In this report, a slow-growing subpopulation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) was identified. These cells were around 5 μm in diameter and their relative gravity was between 1.031 and 1.043 g/ml. In sharp contrast to the parent MSCs, they expressed highly CD271 and poorly the receptor for platelet-derived growth factor. Quantitative PCR with the identification of the products by DNA sequencing proved that these cells expressed Nanog at a higher level than cells from the other subpopulation (approximately 30-fold), which was further confirmed by western blotting. Furthermore, they did not grow at clonal density and depletion of these cells from the population had little effect on the colony formation of the parent MSCs. The results here indicate that a subpopulation of cells with special biological features exist in human cord MSCs in culture.
Insights
Researchers discovered a distinct subpopulation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). These slow-growing cells exhibit unique properties, including high CD271 and Nanog expression, differentiating them from parent MSCs.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Stem Cell Research
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are widely studied for their therapeutic potential.
- Heterogeneity within MSC populations can influence their biological behavior and therapeutic efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize distinct subpopulations within human umbilical cord MSC cultures.
- To investigate the unique biological features of a slow-growing MSC subpopulation.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry for cell surface marker analysis (CD271, platelet-derived growth factor receptor).
- Quantitative PCR and DNA sequencing to assess gene expression (Nanog).
- Western blotting to confirm protein expression levels.
- Clonal density growth assays to evaluate proliferative capacity.
Main Results:
- A slow-growing subpopulation of human umbilical cord MSCs was identified, characterized by a diameter of approximately 5 μm and density between 1.031-1.043 g/ml.
- This subpopulation demonstrated significantly higher expression of CD271 and Nanog (approx. 30-fold by qPCR) compared to the parent MSCs.
- These cells exhibited poor expression of the platelet-derived growth factor receptor and did not grow at clonal density.
Conclusions:
- Human umbilical cord MSC cultures contain a distinct subpopulation with unique biological characteristics.
- This subpopulation's distinct properties, including high Nanog expression and altered growth kinetics, suggest specialized functions.
- Further research is warranted to understand the implications of this subpopulation for MSC biology and therapeutic applications.
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