Biology of the Stem Cells in Human Umbilical Cord Stroma: In situ and in vitro Surveys

¹ Department of Histology and Embryology, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
² Department of Infertility, Etlik Maternity and Women's Health Research Training Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
³ Hemosoft IT & Training Services, Middle East Technical University Technopolis, Ankara , Turkey
⁴ Department of Obstetrics, Zubeyde Hanim Maternity Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
⁵ Department of Medical Biology, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
⁶ Ankara University Biotechnology Institute, Central Laboratory, Ankara,Turkey
⁷ Department of Medical Genetics, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
⁸ Department of Pediatric Hematology, Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara , Turkey

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: alpcan{at}medicine.ankara.edu.tr.

	Abstract

Cells in the umbilical cord stroma have gained attention in recent years however, differentiation to certain lineages in human have been demonstrated in few studies. Unlike bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) human umbilical cord stroma cells (HUCSCs) are far from being well-characterized. This study attempts to describe proliferation, structural and differentiation properties of these cells to account for their exceptional nature in many aspects. Cellular dynamics, structure and the degree of transformations during expansion and differentiation into mesenchymal and neuronal lineages were examined in vitro over ten-month period. Comparison to human bone marrow MSCs regarding differentiation were performed. HUCSCs in culture revealed two distinct cell populations, type-1 and type-2 cells that possessed differential vimentin and cytokeratin filaments. Corresponding cells were encountered in cord sections displaying region-specific localization. Alpha-smooth muscle actin and desmin filaments, which were evident in cord sections, diminished through passages. No difference was noted regarding type-1 and type-2 cells in differentiation to chondrogenic, adipogenic and osteogenic lineages; but in differentiating neurons. Relative success was achieved by production of chondrocytic spheres and osteogenic monolayers, whereas adipocytes were immature compared to bone marrow MSCs. The presence of neuronal markers suggest that they transform into a certain state of maturity under neurogenic induction. Conclusively, HUCSCs retain original phenotype in culture without spontaneous differentiation, have a limited lifespan, and bear multipotent stem cell characteristics. Given these characteristics, they may be generally considered as progenitor cells if manuplated in appropriate conditions and deserve further studies to be potentially used in cell-based therapies.

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