Association of expression levels of pluripotency/stem cell markers with the differentiation outcome of Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells into insulin producing cells

• Published in: Biochimie 2016-08, Vol.127, p.187-195
• Main Authors: Kassem, Dina H., Kamal, Mohamed M., El-Kholy, Abd El-Latif G., El-Mesallamy, Hala O.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biomarkers - metabolism; Cell Differentiation; Diabetes mellitus; Gene Expression Regulation; Humans; Insulin producing cells; Insulin-Secreting Cells - cytology; Mesenchymal stem cells; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells - cytology; Nestin - genetics; Octamer Transcription Factor-3 - genetics; Pluripotency/stem cell markers; Pluripotent Stem Cells - cytology; Pluripotent Stem Cells - metabolism; Wharton Jelly - cytology; Wharton's jelly
• ISSN: 0300-9084; 1638-6183
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2016.05.019

Recently, there has been much attention towards generation of insulin producing cells (IPCs) from stem cells, especially from Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs). However, generation of mature IPCs remains a challenge. Assessment of generation of IPCs was usually done by examining β-cell markers, however, assessment of pluripotency/stem cell markers drew less attention. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the levels of pluripotency/stem cell markers during differentiation of WJ-MSCs into IPCs and the association of these levels with differentiation outcomes. WJ-MSCs were isolated, characterized then induced to differentiate into IPCs using three different protocols namely A, B and C. Differentiated IPCs were assessed by the expression of pluripotency/stem cell markers, together with β-cell markers using qRT-PCR, and functionally by measuring glucose stimulated insulin secretion. Differentiated cells from protocol A showed lowest expression of pluripotency/stem cell markers and relatively best GSIS. However, protocol B showed concomitant expression of pluripotency/stem cell and β-cell markers with relatively less insulin secretion as compared to protocol A. Protocol C failed to generate glucose-responsive IPCs. In conclusion, sustained expression of pluripotency/stem cell markers could be associated with the incomplete differentiation of WJ-MSCs into IPCs. A novel finding for which further investigations are warranted. [Display omitted] •Wharton jelly is a potential source of mesenchymal stem cells for DM cell therapy.•WJ-MSCS can differentiate into IPCs using various protocols.•Pluripotency markers' levels could be associated with this differentiation outcome.