ABSTRACT
UCB (umbilical cord blood) as a resource of MSCs (mesenchymal stem cells) is widely accepted, but the quantity and characteristics of UCB-MSCs from different gestational ages have not been well studied. We have quantified the number of MSCs in UCB at different gestational ages using a multi-colour flowcytometer and compared the cell proliferation rates of these UCB-MSCs. Defining MSCs as CD44+/CD105+/CD34-/CD45 population, their numbers declined in the UCB at the gestational age. Proliferation rates were significantly higher in UCB before term than at full term. Non-full term UCB samples may be a better source of MSCs.
Subject(s)
Fetal Blood/cytology , Mesenchymal Stem Cells/cytology , Pregnancy/blood , Adult , Antigens, CD/analysis , Cell Count , Cell Differentiation/physiology , Cell Proliferation , Cells, Cultured , Cesarean Section , Female , Fetal Blood/physiology , Fetus , Flow Cytometry , Gestational Age , Humans , Mesenchymal Stem Cells/physiologyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the change of the neuronal restricted silencing factor (NRSF) gene as well as the NRSF regulation genes in beta-mercaptoethanol induction of the marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to neurons, and to discuss the function of NRSF in neural induction of the MSCs and the mechanism of the differentiation from MSCs to neurons. METHOD: We used beta-mercaptoethanol, serum-free DMEM, and dimethyl sulfoxide to induce rat MSCs to differentiate to neurons, and then analyzed the changes of the expressions of NRSF gene and NRSF-regulated genes through real-time PCR. RESULTS: The rat MSCs were successfully induced to differentiate into neuron-like cells. The induced neuron marker, neuron-specific enolase, was positive. Real-time PCR showed that the expression of NRSF gene remarkably declined. The expressions of neurotrophic tyrosine kinase receptor, type 3, synaptosomal-associated protein 25, L1 cell adhesion molecular,neuronal pentraxin receptor in the NRSF-regulated genes also increased at varied extents. CONCLUSIONS: The differentiation from MSCs to neurons is relevant with the decline of NRSF expression and the increase of the expressions of NRSF-regulated genes. The NRSF may be the key gene during the differentiation from MSCs to neurons.
