RESUMEN
Umbilical cord blood [UCB] is a source of Hematopoietic Stem Cells [HSC] and progenitor cells that can reconstitute the hematopoietic system in patients with malignant and nonmalignant disorders. Mesenchymal stem cell-derived from umbilical cord blood [UCB] have been differentiated to some kind of cells, such as osteobblast, adipoblast and chondroblast in Vitro. This study examined the differentiation of Umbilical Cord Blood [UCB] derived stem cells to functional hepatocytes. The present study was an experimental study which was carried out in the Payam-e-Noor University of Tehran in cooperation with Hamedan University of Medical Sciences in 2008. Umbilical cord blood [UCB] was obtained from Fatemieh hospital [Hamadan, Iran]. Stem cells were isolated from the cord blood by combining density gradient centrifugation with plastic adherence. When the isolated cells reached 80% confluence, they differentiated to hepatocyte like cells. The medium which was used was consists of DMEM and 10% Fetal Bovine Serum [FBS] supplemented with 20 ng/mL Hepatocyte Growth Factor [HGF], 10 ng/mL basic Fibroblast Growth Factor [bFGF] and 20 ng/mL Oncostatin M [OSM].The medium was changed every 3 days and stored for Albumin [ALB], Alpha Fetoprotein [AFP], Alkaline Phosphatase [ALP], and urea assay. Finally PAS stain was done to study Glycogen storage in the differentiated cell. Measurement of biochemical factors in different days showed that concentration of albumin [ALB], alpha fetoprotein [AFP], alkaline phosphatase [ALP], and Urea gradually increased. Also, PAS staining showed the storage of glycogen in these cells. Stem cell-derived from human umbilical cord blood [HUCB] is a new source of cell types for cell transplantation therapy of hepatic diseases and under certain conditions these cells can differentiate into liver cells