title: In Vitro Differentiation of Human Wharton's Jelly-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells into Auditory Hair Cells and Neurons.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We attempted to induce mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from human Wharton's jelly (WJ) to differentiate into neuronal progenitor cells, neurons, and auditory hair cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  MSCs were isolated from WJ from human umbilical cords and cultured in medium containing epidermal growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor. Differentiation into hair cells and neurons was induced using a neurobasal medium containing glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and neurotrophic factor 3. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), immunocytochemistry, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction were performed to characterize the differentiated auditory hair cells and neurons.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MSCs isolated from human WJ were confirmed by FACS. Double immunocytochemistry confirmed the expression of the hair cell markers myosin VIIA and TRPA1 and the functional marker C-terminal binding protein 2. Differentiation into neurons was revealed using neurofilament and βIII-tubulin markers. Gene expression of neuronal lineage-specific markers confirmed the neuronal differentiation state.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MSCs from human WJ can be successfully induced to differentiate into auditory hair cells and neurons in vitro.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea. khpent@catholic.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Kicheol
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kil
authors.forename: Mi Young
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Kyoung Ho
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D002454:Cell Differentiation; D006198:Hair Cells, Auditory / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D055495:Neurogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology; D059631:Wharton Jelly / Q000166:cytology*