Phenotypic and Functional Characterization of Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Chorionic Villi of Human Term Placenta

• Published in: Stem cell reviews and reports 2013-02, Vol.9 (1), p.16-31
• Main Authors: Abumaree, M. H., Al Jumah, M. A., Kalionis, B., Jawdat, D., Al Khaldi, A., AlTalabani, A. A., Knawy, B. A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adipocytes; Adipocytes - metabolism; Angiogenesis; Antigens, CD - biosynthesis; Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering; Bone marrow transplantation; CD105 antigen; CD14 antigen; CD19 antigen; CD40 antigen; CD44 antigen; CD45 antigen; CD80 antigen; CD83 antigen; CD86 antigen; Cell Adhesion Molecules - biosynthesis; Cell Biology; Cell Differentiation; Cell migration; Cell Movement; Cell Proliferation; Cells, Cultured; Chemokines; Chemokines - biosynthesis; Chemotactic factors; Chondrocytes; Chondrocytes - metabolism; Chondrogenesis; Chorionic Villi - physiology; Cytokines; Cytokines - biosynthesis; Explants; Female; Fetuses; Flow Cytometry; Growth factors; Humans; Interleukin 1; Interleukin 10; Interleukin 6; Life Sciences; Mesenchymal Stem Cells - cytology; Mesenchymal Stem Cells - physiology; Monocyte chemoattractant protein 1; Osteocytes - metabolism; Placenta; Placenta - cytology; Pregnancy; Receptors, Chemokine - biosynthesis; Receptors, Cytokine - biosynthesis; Receptors, Growth Factor - biosynthesis; Regenerative Medicine/Tissue Engineering; Stem Cells
• ISSN: 2629-3269; 2629-3277
• DOI: 10.1007/s12015-012-9385-4

Background Bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) are used extensively in transplantation but their use is associated with many problems including low abundance in BM, low overall number, decreased differentiation potential with age and the invasive isolation procedures needed to obtain BM. We report a novel method of isolating placental MSCs (pMSCs) from chorionic villi, which exhibit the phenotypic and functional characteristics that will make them an attractive source of MSCs for cell-based therapy. Methods A novel explant approach was used to isolate pMSCs from chorionic villi of human placentae. These pMSCs were characterized by flow cytometry and were differentiated into adipocytes, osteocytes and chondrocytes using differentiation medium as demonstrated by cytochemical staining. The gene and protein expression profiles of pMSCs were also characterized using real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and flow cytometry, respectively. In addition, cytokine secretion by pMSCs was also analysed using sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Moreover, the migration and proliferation potentials of pMSCs were also determined. Results pMSCs were isolated from fetal part of the chorionic villi and these pMSCs expressed CD44, CD90, CD105, CD146, CD166 and HLA-ABC but not CD14, CD19, CD40, CD45, CD80, CD83, CD86 and HLA-DR. In addition, these pMSCs differentiated into osteocytes, chondrocytes and adipocytes and they also expressed several adhesion molecules, chemokines/receptors, growth factor receptors and cytokines/receptors. Moreover, they secreted many cytokines (IL-1Ra, IL6, IL8, IL10, IL11 and IL15) and they were able to proliferate. Furthermore, they migrated in response to chemotactic factors including stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1), platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1). Conclusions We devised a novel explant method of isolating pMSCs that expressed many biological factors responsible for mediating cellular processes such as migration/homing, immune modulation and angiogenesis. Therefore, we suggest that pMSCs prepared from human term placental chorionic villous explants are an attractive source of MSCs for cell therapy.