title: Differentiation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells into prostate-like epithelial cells in vivo.
abstract: Although human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) have been identified as a new source of MSCs for potential application in regenerative medicine, their full potential of differentiation has not been determined. In particular, whether they have the capability to differentiate into epithelial cells of endodermal origin such as the prostate epithelial cells is unknown. Here we report that when hUC-MSCs were combined with rat urogenital sinus stromal cells (rUGSSs) and transplanted into the renal capsule in vivo, they could differentiate into prostate epithelial-like cells that could be verified by prostate epithelial cell-specific markers including the prostate specific antigen. The prostatic glandular structures formed in vivo displayed similar cellular architecture with lumens and branching features as seen for a normal prostate. In addition, the human origin of the hUC-MSCs was confirmed by immunocytochemistry for human nuclear antigen. These findings together indicate that hUC-MSCs have the capability to differentiate into epithelial-like cells that are normally derived from the endoderm, implicating their potential applications in tissue repair and regeneration of many endoderm-derived internal organs.
authors: State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji-Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
authors: Wang
authors: W
authors: Li
authors: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
authors: Bo
authors: B
authors: Ye
authors: State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji-Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
authors: Xiao-Yan
authors: XY
authors: Cai
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
authors: Jian-Hua
authors: JH
authors: Lin
authors: State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji-Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; School of Biomedical Engineering & Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
authors: Wei-Qiang
authors: WQ
authors: Gao
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D053533:Keratin-8 / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology*; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008819:Mice, Nude; D011247:Pregnancy; D011467:Prostate / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology*; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000032:analysis; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous; D014470:Umbilical Cord / Q000166:cytology*; D014566:Urogenital System / Q000166:cytology
chemical_list: D053533:Keratin-8; D011944:Receptors, Androgen