Functional network analysis of the transcriptomes of mesenchymal stem cells derived from amniotic fluid, amniotic membrane, cord blood, and bone marrow.
Using high-density oligonucleotide microarrays and functional network analyses, we examined whether MSCs derived from four different origins exhibited unique gene expression profiles individually and then compared the gene expression profiles of all MSCs with those of fetal organs. Our results indicated that within each group of MSCs from the same origin, the variability of the gene expression levels was smaller than that between groups of different origins. Functional genomic studies revealed the specific roles of MSCs from different origins. Our results suggest that amniotic fluid MSCs may initiate interactions with the uterus by upregulating oxytocin and thrombin receptors. Amniotic membrane MSCs may play a role in maintaining homeostasis of fluid and electrolytes by regulating the networks of endothelin, neprilysin, bradykinin receptors, and atrial natriuretic peptide. Cord blood MSCs may be involved in innate immune systems as the neonatal defense system against the earliest encountered pathogens. Adult bone marrow MSCs may be an important source not only of all blood lineages but also of bone formation. However, in spite of the different gene expression profiles seen in MSCs derived from different origins, a set of core gene expression profiles was preserved in these four kinds of MSCs. The core signature transcriptomes of all MSCs, when contrasted against those of fetal organs, included genes involved in the regulation of extracellular matrix and adhesion, transforming growth factor-beta receptor signaling, and the Wnt signaling pathways. Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Tsai
Ming-Song
MS
Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Hwang
Shiaw-Min
SM
Chen
Kuang-Den
KD
Lee
Yun-Shien
YS
Hsu
Li-Wen
LW
Chang
Yu-Jen
YJ
Wang
Chao-Nin
CN
Peng
Hsiu-Huei
HH
Chang
Yao-Lung
YL
Chao
An-Shine
AS
Chang
Shuenn-Dyh
SD
Lee
Kuan-Der
KD
Wang
Tzu-Hao
TH
Wang
Hsin-Shih
HS
Soong
Yung-Kuei
YK
D000650:Amnion / Q000166:cytology*; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000166:cytology*; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D019070:Cell Lineage; D002478:Cells, Cultured / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000166:cytology*; D005326:Fetal Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D005333:Fetus / Q000378:metabolism; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006801:Humans; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D009928:Organ Specificity; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D011247:Pregnancy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014599:Uterus / Q000502:physiology; D014882:Water-Electrolyte Balance / Q000235:genetics
D005326:Fetal Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger