Turning placenta into brain: placental mesenchymal stem cells differentiate into neurons and oligodendrocytes.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to induce neural stem (NSC) and progenitor cells (NPC) from human placental tissues.


METHODS
Placental stem cells from first-trimester placental chorionic villi and term chorion were isolated. Neural differentiation was initiated with plating on collagen, retinoic acid, and/or human brain-derived neurotrophic factor and epidermal and fibroblast growth factor. Differentiation into neurons, oligodendrocytes, and astrocytes was monitored by immunohistochemistry. Two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, high-performance liquid chromatography, and tandem mass spectrometry were used to identify proteins involved in the differentiation.


RESULTS
Differentiated cells were mostly immediately postmitotic with some more but not fully mature postmitotic neurons. Neurons had dopaminergic or serotonergic character. Some cells differentiated into predominantly immature oligodendrocytes. Upon differentiation, neuron-specific proteins were up-regulated, whereas placental proteins were reduced.


CONCLUSIONS
Stem cells derived from human placenta can be differentiated into neural progenitors.
Portmann-Lanz
C Bettina
CB
Departments of Obstetrics and Clinical Research, University Women's Hospital, Inselspital, Novartis, Basel, Switzerland.
Schoeberlein
Andreina
A
Portmann
Reto
R
Mohr
Stefan
S
Rollini
Pierre
P
Sager
Ruth
R
Surbek
Daniel V
DV
D002454:Cell Differentiation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D008938:Mitosis; D009124:Muscle Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D009836:Oligodendroglia / Q000166:cytology*; D010920:Placenta / Q000166:cytology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D014404:Tubulin / Q000378:metabolism; D015854:Up-Regulation
C102926:DPYSL3 protein, human; D009124:Muscle Proteins; D014404:Tubulin