Multi-lineage differentiation of human umbilical cord Wharton's Jelly Mesenchymal Stromal Cells mediates changes in the expression profile of stemness markers.

Wharton's Jelly- derived Mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) have gained interest as an alternative source of stem cells for regenerative medicine because of their potential for self-renewal, differentiation and unique immunomodulatory properties. Although many studies have characterized various WJ-MSCs biologically, the expression profiles of the commonly used stemness markers have not yet been addressed. In this study, WJ-MSCs were isolated and characterized for stemness and surface markers expression. Flow cytometry, immunofluorescence and qRT-PCR analysis revealed predominant expression of CD29, CD44, CD73, CD90, CD105 and CD166 in WJ-MSCs, while the hematopoietic and endothelial markers were absent. Differential expression of CD 29, CD90, CD105 and CD166 following adipogenic, osteogenic and chondrogenic induction was observed. Furthermore, our results demonstrated a reduction in CD44 and CD73 expressions in response to the tri-lineage differentiation induction, suggesting that they can be used as reliable stemness markers, since their expression was associated with undifferentiated WJ-MSCs only.

Connection between human leucocyte antigens D region and T helper cytokines in preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia is a common and major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Human leucocyte antigen (HLA) susceptibility and impaired adaptation of the T lymphocyte sub-population and a bi-directional effect of T helper cytokines on the outcome of pregnancy have been reported in patients with preeclampsia. The association between maternal HLA class II and T helper cytokines in women with preeclampsia was investigated in seventy-six preeclamptic women and normotensive controls using Terasaki microlymphocytotoxicity test. T helper cytokines interleukin (IL)-8, IL-6, IL-4, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interferon (IFN)-gamma were estimated in the maternal blood and placenta by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Histopathological evaluation of the placenta was also carried out. HLA class II DR2, DR4, DR5, DRw8, DRw10, DRw11, DRw18, and DQw2 had significant relative risk ratios for preeclampsia, while DQw3 was more common in the controls. DR4-DRw11-DQw2 haplotype was more common in preeclamptic women with intrauterine growth restriction, low birth weight and placental weight, increased expression of T helper cytokines IL-8, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma and abnormal uteroplacental vasculature. These findings suggest that HLA class II DR4-DRw11 -DQw2 haplotypes may be associated with preeclampsia with intrauterine growth restriction through low placental weight from impaired placental development, as a result of increased expression of T helper 1 cytokines IL-8, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma.

Transport kinetics of alpha-aminoisobutyric acid and water in pre-eclamptic pregnancies: an in vitro study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the transport kinetics of a model amino acid, alpha-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB), in the maternal-fetal direction in placentae from pre-eclamptic pregnancies. METHODS: Transport kinetics of the amino acid was assessed in vitro using perfusion of human placental lobules. Control placental lobules were perfused for comparison. National Culture and Tissue Collection--135 medium diluted with Earle's buffered salt solution was used as the perfusate, and tritiated water served as the internal reference marker. AIB along with reference marker was injected as a single bolus into the maternal arterial perfusate, and serial perfusate samples were collected from maternal and fetal venous circuits for a study period of 5 min. RESULTS: The differential transport rate of the amino acid for various efflux fractions differed significantly between control and experimental groups when compared to that of the reference marker. The transport rate (corresponding to 50% of efflux into the fetal vein), transport fraction, absorption and elimination rates of the amino acid differed significantly compared to the reference marker values in study and control groups. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that amino acid transport function is compromised in placentae of pre-eclamptic pregnancies.