Differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells derived from human umbilical cord into cardiomyocytes

Jingling HUANG; Shuixiang YANG

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Compared with the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs),cells from the umbilical cord blood (UCB)are considered"very young",and its proliferation and differentiation cannot decrease with age.Thus,cells from UCB are a great substitute of BMSCs.

OBJECTIVE:

To observe the characteristics of in vitro differentiation of UCB-MSCs into cardiomyocytes.DESIGN,TIME AND

SETTING:

The observational experiment was performed at the Beijing Sijitan Hospital from March 2005 to February 2007.MATERIALSCells from UCB were collected from healthy arturients after signing the informed consent.

METHODS:

Mononuclear cells were isolated to further harvest MSCs.At the third passage,CD34,CD44 and CD90 were measured using immunofluorescence flow cytometry.After 4 weeks of 5-azacitidine treatment,myosin heavy chain,GATA4 and troponin 1 were identified using immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.MAIN OUTCOME

MEASURES:

β-myosin heavy chain,GATA4 and troponin I expression.

RESULTS:

UCB-MSCs showed a fibrolast-like morphology,clonally expanded after 5-azacitidine reatment.The immunophenotype of these clonally expanded cells is consistent with that reported for BMSCs.Immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction showed β-myosin heavy chain,GATA4 and troponin I expression.

CONCLUSION:

UCB-MSCs differentiate into cardiomyocyte-like cells,which have the characteristics of cardiomyocytes.