title: In Vitro Differentiation Potential of Human Placenta Derived Cells into Skin Cells.
abstract: Skin autografting is the most viable and aesthetic technique for treatment of extensive burns; however, this practice has potential limitations. Harvesting cells from neonatal sources (such as placental tissue) is a simple, inexpensive, and noninvasive procedure. In the current study authors sought to evaluate in vitro potential of human placenta derived stem cells to develop into skin-like cells. After extensive washing, amniotic membrane and umbilical cord tissue were separated to harvest amniotic epithelial cells (AECs) and umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs), respectively. Both types of cells were characterized for the expression of embryonic lineage markers and their growth characteristics were determined. AECs and UC-MSCs were induced to differentiate into keratinocytes-like and dermal fibroblasts-like cells, respectively. After induction, morphological changes were detected by microscopy. The differentiation potential was further assessed using immunostaining and RT-PCR analyses. AECs were positive for cytokeratins and E-Cadherin while UC-MSCs were positive for fibroblast specific makers. AECs differentiated into keratinocytes-like cells showed positive expression of keratinocyte specific cytokeratins, involucrin, and loricrin. UC-MSCs differentiated into dermal fibroblast-like cells indicated expression of collagen type 3, desmin, FGF-7, fibroblast activation protein alpha, procollagen-1, and vimentin. In conclusion, placenta is a potential source of cells to develop into skin-like cells.
authors.affiliation: National Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan ; University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Ruhma
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mahmood
authors.affiliation: National Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan ; Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Mahmood S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Choudhery
authors.affiliation: National Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Azra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mehmood
authors.affiliation: National Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Shaheen N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: National Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan ; Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Sheikh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Riazuddin