title: In vitro differentiation of human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells into hepatocyte-like cells.
abstract: In addition to long-term self-renewal capability, human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) possess versatile differentiation potential ranging from mesenchyme-related multipotency to neuroectodermal and endodermal competency. Of particular concern is hepatogenic potential that can be used for liver-directed stem cell therapy and transplantation. In this study, we have investigated whether human umbilical cord blood (UCB)-derived MSCs are also able to differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells. MSCs isolated from UCB were cultured under the pro-hepatogenic condition similar to that for bone marrow (BM)-derived MSCs. Expression of a variety of hepatic lineage markers was analyzed by flow cytometry, RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence. The functionality of differentiated cells was assessed by their ability to incorporate DiI-acetylated low-density lipoprotein (DiI-Ac-LDL). As the cells were morphologically transformed into hepatocyte-like cells, they expressed Thy-1, c-Kit, and Flt-3 at the cell surface, as well as albumin, alpha-fetoprotein, and cytokeratin-18 and 19 in the interior. Moreover, about a half of the cells were found to acquire the capability to transport DiI-Ac-LDL. Based on these observations, and taking into account immense advantages of UCB over other stem cell sources, we conclude that UCB-derived MSCs retain hepatogenic potential suitable for cell therapy and transplantation against intractable liver diseases.
authors.affiliation: Research Institute of Biotechnology, Histostem Co., Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Seung Hyun
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Eun Ji
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Gang
authors.forename: Ju Ah
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.forename: Chiyoung
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.forename: Soo Han
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Il Ho
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Hwon Kyum
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Hoon
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Hoeon
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000107:Acetylation; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000378:metabolism; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL