title: Isolation and characterization of a novel strain of mesenchymal stem cells from mouse umbilical cord: potential application in cell-based therapy.
abstract: Human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) have recently been recognized as a potential source for cell-based therapy in various preclinical animal models, such as Parkinson's disease, cerebral ischemia, spinal cord injury, and liver failure; however, the precise cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the beneficial outcomes remain under investigation. There is a growing concern regarding rejection and alteration of genetic code using this xenotransplantation approach. In this study, a novel strain of murine MSCs derived from the umbilical cord of wild-type and green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgenic mice have been successfully isolated, expanded, and characterized. After 10 passages, the mUC-MSCs developed a rather homogeneous, triangular, spindle-shaped morphology, and were sub-cultured up to 7 months (over 50 passages) without overt changes in morphology and doubling time. Cell surface markers are quite similar to MSCs isolated from other tissue origins as well as hUC-MSCs. These mUC-MSCs can differentiate into osteoblasts, adipocytes, neurons, and astrocytes in vitro, as well as hematopoietic lineage cells in vivo. mUC-MSCs also possess therapeutic potential against two disease models, focal ischemic stroke induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) and acute hepatic failure. Subtle differences in the expression of cytokine-related genes exist between mUC-MSCs and hUC-MSCs, which may retard and jeopardize the advance of cell therapy. Allografts of these newly established mUC-MSCs into various mouse disease models may deepen our insights into the development of more effective cell therapy regimens.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Wen-Wen
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Yau-Huei
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Hung
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Dar-Ming
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Teng-Nan
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D017667:Adipocytes / Q000166:cytology; D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D064987:Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D020521:Stroke / Q000628:therapy; D014470:Umbilical Cord / Q000166:cytology*
chemical_list: D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins