Effects of demineralized bone matrix on proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells from human umbilical cord.
BACKGROUND
Mesenchymal stem cells or mesenchymal progenitor cells are defined as self-renewable, multipotent progenitor cells with the unlimited capacity to differentiate into multiple lineage-specific cells that form bone, cartilage, fat, and muscle tissues. Demineralized bone matrix (DBM) has been extensively utilized in orthopaedic, periodontal, and maxillofacial applications and widely investigated as a biomaterial to promote new bone formation.


OBJECTIVE
To isolate and characterize umbilical cord mesenchymal stem (UCMS) cells and examine the biological activity of DBM in the UCMS cells


METHODS
UCMS cells were obtained from human umbilical cord culture. Cells were treated with or without DBM over 7 days of culture. Cell proliferation was examined by direct cell counting. Osteogenic differentiation of the UCMS cells was analysed with alkaline phosphatase staining assay.


RESULTS
Phenotypic characteristics ofhuman UCMS cells were spindle and stellate shapes with fine homogenous cytoplasm, typically associated with fibroblast-like cells. The control cells (without DBM treatment) exhibited a spindle shape with little extracellular matrix, whereas the DBM treated cells appeared shortened and flattened, and they were surrounded by extracellular matrix. DBM inhibited the growth of the UCMS cells by 50%, as determined by direct cell counting. Morphologic and histochemical studies confirmed that DBM had a strong stimulatory effect on the alkaline phosphatase activities of UCMS cells, a very early marker of cell differentiation into the osteogenic lineage.


CONCLUSIONS
Mesenchymal progenitor cells derived from umbilical cord could differentiate along an osteogenic lineage and thus provide an alternative source for cell-based therapies and tissue engineering strategies.
Honsawek
Sittisak
S
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University and Hospital, Rama IV Rd, Patumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand. fmedshs@md.chula.ac.th
Dhitiseith
Dhakoon
D
Phupong
Vorapong
V
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D018775:Bone Demineralization Technique; D001857:Bone Matrix; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006801:Humans; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D014470:Umbilical Cord / Q000166:cytology*