Mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells in human umbilical cord blood as support for ex vivo expansion of CD34(+) hematopoietic stem cells and for chondrogenic differentiation.
OBJECTIVE
Human mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells (MSPC) ar pluripotent, being the precursors for marrow stroma, bone, cartilage, muscle and connective tissues. Although the presence of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPC) in umbilical cord blood (UCB) is well known, that of MSPC has been not fully evaluated.


METHODS
In this study, we examined the immunophenotype, the supporting function in relation to ex vivo expansion of hematopoietic stem progenitor cells and the chondrogenic differentiation of cultured cells with characteristics of MSPC from UCB. When UCB nucleated cells were isolated and 107 cells cultured in IMDM with 20% fetal bovine serum, the mean number of adherent fibroblastlike colonies was 3.5+/-0.7/10(6) monuclear cells.


RESULTS
UCB-derived MSPC could be expanded for at least 15 passages. In their undifferentiated state, UCB-derived MSPC were CD13(+), CD29(+), CD90(+), CD105(+), CD166(+), SH2(+), SH3(+), SH4(+), CD45(-), CD34(-), and CD14(-); they produced stem cell factor, interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha. UCB-derived MSPC cultured in chondrogenic media differentiated into chondrogenic cells. UCB-derived MSPC supported the proliferation and differentiation of CD34(+) cells from UCB in vitro.


CONCLUSIONS
UCB-derived MSPC have the potential to support ex vivo expansion of HSPC and chondrogenic differentiation. UCB should not be regarded as medical waste. It can serve as an alternative source of mesenchymal stem cells and may provide a unique source of fetal cells for cellular and gene therapy.
Wang
Jin-Fu
JF
College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, No. 232, Wen San Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310012, PR China. wjfu@zju.edu.cn
Wang
Li-Juan
LJ
Wu
Yi-Fan
YF
Xiang
Ying
Y
Xie
Chun-Gang
CG
Jia
Bing-Bing
BB
Harrington
Jenny
J
McNiece
Ian K
IK
D000328:Adult; D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000097:blood*; D002356:Cartilage / Q000166:cytology*; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D020219:Chondrogenesis; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000166:cytology*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*
D018952:Antigens, CD34