%0 Journal Article
%T Differentiation of Human Umbilical Cord Lining Membrane-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells into Hepatocyte-Like Cells
%A Chinh Chung Doan
%A Thanh Long Le
%A Nghia Son Hoang
%A Dinh Nguyen Ky
%A Hoang Chuong Nguyen
%A Van Dong Le
%A Minh Si Do
%J ISRN Stem Cells
%D 2013
%R 10.1155/2013/749587
%X Background. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), isolated from bone marrow, adipose tissue, and umbilical cord tissue, have been known to differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells. MSCs can also be easily obtained from umbilical cord lining membrane (CLMSCs). CLMSCs are more primitive MSCs than those isolated from other tissue sources. Objectives. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro differentiation of CLMSCs into hepatocyte lineage. Materials and Methods. In this study, CLMSCs were isolated through a tissue attachment method. Cells were characterized for expression of MSC-specific markers and differentiation potency. CLMSCs were induced to differentiate into hepatocytes by a simple two-step protocol. Differentiated cells were examined for the expression of hepatocyte-specific markers and hepatocyte functions. Results. CLMSCs expressed MSC-specific markers and differentiated into adipocytes and osteoblasts. RT-PCR, real-time qRT-PCR, Western blot, and immunocytochemistry analyses demonstrated that differentiated CLMSCs, having hepatocyte-like morphology, expressed several liver-specific markers, such as ALB, AFP, CK18, and CK19, at both mRNA and protein levels following hepatocyte differentiation. Furthermore, periodic acid-Schiff staining and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) uptake assay showed that differentiated cells could store glycogen and uptake LDL. Conclusion. This study demonstrated that CLMSCs can differentiate into functional hepatocyte-like cells. CLMSCs can serve as a favorable cell source for tissue engineering in the treatment of liver disease. 1. Introduction Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are referred to as highly proliferating and adherent fibroblastic cells featuring a unique expression profile of cell surface molecules. Like any other stem cells, they own capacity of self-renewal and multilineage differentiation [1]. MSCs can be obtained from various tissue sources, such as bone marrow (BM), adipose tissue (AD), and umbilical cord (UC) [2, 3]. BM is the main source for MSC isolation and BM-derived MSC (BMMSCs) have been extensively studied. However, the disadvantages of autologous BMMSCs, such as a highly invasive procedure for the donors and a significant decrease in both quantity and differentiation potential of cells with age, have restricted their use in tissue engineering and organogenesis [4]. Hence, it has accelerated the search for alternative sources of stem cells. In recent years, many research groups have focused on various types of umbilical cord-derived MSCs (UCMSCs), including UC matrix stem cells, UC
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/isrn.stem.cells/2013/749587/