title: Stem cells derived from human first-trimester umbilical cord have the potential to differentiate into oocyte-like cells in vitro.
abstract: Compared to stem cells derived from human term umbilical cord, stem cells derived from human first-trimester umbilical cord (hFTUC) exhibit a significantly greater proliferative potential, and more efficiency in terms of their in vitro differentiation. In the present study, we investigated whether hFTUC-derived stem cells are able to differentiate into germ cells. The hFTUC-derived stem cells were first isolated, expanded and then cultured in differentiation medium containing human follicular fluid, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)/luteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol for 24 days. During the period of induction, a subpopulation of the cultured cells appeared that had a morphological resemblance to primordial germ cells (PGCs) and cumulus-oocyte complex (COC)-like cells, and oocyte-like cells (OLCs). The PGC-like cells expressed specific markers indicative of germ cell formation such as octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4), stage-specific embryonic antigen 1 (SSEA1), B lymphocyte-induced maturation protein-1 (Blimp1), PR domain containing 14 (Prdm14), transcription factor AP-2 gamma (Tfap2C), VASA, STELLA, deleted in azoospermia-like (DAZL) and interferon-induced transmembrane protein 3 (IFITM3). The OLCs, which contained a single germinal vesicle, expressed oocyte-specific markers, such as synaptonemal complex protein 3 (SCP3), growth/differentiation factor-9 (GDF9), GDF9B and zona pellucida (ZP)1, ZP2 and ZP3. The COC-like cells secreted estradiol, vascular endothelial growth factor and leukemia inhibitory factor. Thus, our findings suggest that hFTUC-derived stem cells have an intrinsic ability to differentiate into OLCs, which may provide an in vitro model for the identification of factors involved in germ cell formation and differentiation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Medical College/Teaching Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Xiang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Medical College/Teaching Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Hua
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Medical College/Teaching Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Sheng
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Medical College/Teaching Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Yan-Li
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Deng
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Medical College/Teaching Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Qi-Jia
authors.initials: QJ
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Medical College/Teaching Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Qian
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wan
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Medical College/Teaching Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Shang-Mian
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Yie
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004958:Estradiol / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005260:Female; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D059785:Karyotype; D053605:Leukemia Inhibitory Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis; D009865:Oocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D014470:Umbilical Cord / Q000166:cytology*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D053605:Leukemia Inhibitory Factor; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D004958:Estradiol