title: In vitro differentiation of osteocytes and adipocytes from human placenta-derived cells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the capability of human placenta-derived adherent cells to differentiate into osteocytes and adipocytes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Placenta-derived adherent cells were isolated by type IV collagenase digestion of a single freshly obtained human placenta and cultured under standard  conditions. Cell surface markers of adherent cells from passages 3 - 9 were analysed by flow cytometry. Osteocytic differentiation was induced with β-glycerol phosphate, vitamin C and dexamethasone and confirmed by Alizarin red staining. Adipocytic differentiation was induced  with dexamethasone and insulin and confirmed by oil red O staining.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Placenta-derived adherent cells were positive for high levels of CD44 and CD105 and very low levels of CD29 but were negative for CD34, CD45 and CD19. This pattern of cell surface markers is identical to human mesenchymal  stem cells. Alizarin red-positive cells were detected 10 days after the induction of osteocyte differentiation. Oil red O-positive cells were detected 7 days after the induction of adipocyte differentiation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Placenta-derived adherent cells can differentiate into either osteocytes  or adipocytes in vitro. The human placenta may provide an alternative source of mesenchymal stem cells for basic research and clinical use.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 107 Wenhua West Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China. jnsnz@sohu.com
authors.forename: N Z
authors.initials: NZ
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Hs
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ji
mesh_terms: D017667:Adipocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D050156:Adipogenesis; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000096:biosynthesis; D018941:Antigens, CD19 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology; D000071063:Endoglin; D005260:Female; D005994:Glycerophosphates / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors / Q000096:biosynthesis; D019012:Integrin beta1 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D010011:Osteocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D010920:Placenta / Q000166:cytology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D018941:Antigens, CD19; D018952:Antigens, CD34; C064206:ENG protein, human; D000071063:Endoglin; D005994:Glycerophosphates; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors; D019012:Integrin beta1; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D003907:Dexamethasone; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens; D001205:Ascorbic Acid; C031463:beta-glycerophosphoric acid