Characterization and hepatogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells from human amniotic fluid and human bone marrow: a comparative study.
Since stem cells can differentiate into hepatocyte, stem cell-based therapy becomes a potential alternative treatment for terminal liver diseases. However, an appropriate source of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) for hepatocytes has not yet been clearly elucidated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the in vitro biological characterization and hepatic differentiation potential of human amniotic fluid-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AF-hMSCs) and human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-hMSCs). Our results show that AF-hMSCs possess higher proliferation and self-renewal capacity than BM-hMSCs. Cytogenetic studies indicate that AF-hMSCs are as genetically stabile as BM-hMSCs. Following incubation with specific hepatogenic agents, AF-hMSCs showed a higher hepatic differentiation potential than BM-hMSCs. Expression of several liver-specific markers was significantly greater in AF-hMSCs than in BM-hMSCs, as shown by real time RT-PCR and immunofluorescence (IF). In conclusion, AF-hMSCs possess superior potential for hepatic differentiation, making them more suitable for diverse terminal liver diseases.
Zheng
Yu-Bao
YB
Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510630, Guangdong Province, PR China.
Gao
Zhi-Liang
ZL
Xie
Chan
C
Zhu
Hai-Peng
HP
Peng
Liang
L
Chen
Jun-Hong
JH
Chong
Yu Tian
YT
D000650:Amnion / Q000166:cytology*; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000166:cytology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D043171:Chromosomal Instability / Q000235:genetics; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008115:Liver Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D015415:Biomarkers