title: Enrichment in c-Kit+ enhances mesodermal and neural differentiation of human chorionic placental cells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Human term placenta (HTP) has attracted increasing attention as an alternative source of stem cells for regenerative medicine since the amniochorionic membrane harbors stem cells populations that are easily accessible, abundantly available without ethical objections. In the chorionic side of HTP we found a progenitor perivascular "niche" in which rare cells co-express Oct-4 and c-Kit. We investigated the stem cell characteristics and differentiation potential of a chorionic derived population enriched in c-Kit(+) cells and compared this to the unenriched population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cells, isolated from the chorion of HTP, were expanded and enriched in c-Kit(+) cells (Chorionic Stem Cells-CSC). Histological staining, immunofluorescence, Western blot and flow cytometry were used to verify the stem cells characteristics of the populations and to compare the differentiation capability towards mesodermal and neural lineages in vitro.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The expression of the pluripotent marker Oct-4 was greater in the CSCs compared to the unselected cells (Chorionic Cell-CC) but both Oct-4 and c-Kit expression decreased during passages. After differentiation, CSC displayed stronger chondrogenic and osteogenic potential and a greater adipogenic forming capacity compared to unselected ones. CSC differentiated better into immature oligodendrocytes while CC showed a neuronal progenitor differentiation potential. Moreover, both populations were able to differentiate in hepatogenic lineage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CSC display improved Oct-4 expression and a high differentiation potential into mesodermal lineages and oligodendrocytes.
authors: Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Sciences with interest in Transplant, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy. elisa.resca@unimore.it
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Resca
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Zavatti
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Bertoni
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Maraldi
authors: S
authors: S
authors: De Biasi
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Pisciotta
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Nicoli
authors: G B
authors: GB
authors: La Sala
authors: P V
authors: PV
authors: Guillot
authors: A L
authors: AL
authors: David
authors: N J
authors: NJ
authors: Sebire
authors: P
authors: P
authors: De Coppi
authors: A
authors: A
authors: De Pol
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D019070:Cell Lineage; D002823:Chorion / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000166:cytology; D009420:Nervous System / Q000196:embryology; D050814:Octamer Transcription Factor-3 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D010920:Placenta / Q000166:cytology; D011247:Pregnancy; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D050814:Octamer Transcription Factor-3; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit