Lessons from human umbilical cord: gender differences in stem cells from Wharton’s jelly

• Published in: European journal of obstetrics & gynecology and reproductive biology 2019-03, Vol.234, p.143-148
• Main Authors: Balzano, Francesca, Bellu, Emanuela, Basoli, Valentina, Dei Giudici, Silvia, Santaniello, Sara, Cruciani, Sara, Facchin, Federica, Oggiano, Annalisa, Capobianco, Giampiero, Dessole, Francesco, Ventura, Carlo, Dessole, Salvatore, Maioli, Margherita
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: epigenetics; Gender; pluripotency; Stem cells; Wharton jelly
• ISSN: 0301-2115; 1872-7654
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2018.12.028

To study the molecular features of mesenchymal stem cells from Wharton Jelly (WJ-MSCs) of umbilical cord to predict their differentiation capacity. Comparison of gene expression from mesenchymal stem cells of male and female umbilical cord University hospital umbilical cords (n = 12, 6 males and 6 females) retrieved from spontaneous full-term vaginal delivery of healthy women we analyzed the expression of the stemness related genes C-MYC, OCT4, SOX2 and NANOG and of the epigenetic modulating gene DNA-methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1). WJ-MSCs were isolated by standard procedures and immunophenotypically characterized. Gene expression analysis of stemness related genes and the epigenetic modulating gene DNMT1 were performed by real-time PCR expression of the OCT4 and DNMT1 genes was significantly higher in WJ- MSCs isolated from male subjects, as compared to MSCs isolated from female-derived WJ. The resulting higher expression of OCT4 and DNMT1 in WJ-MSCs from males as compared with female WJ-MSCs for the first time identifies a specific relationship between stemness genes, an epigenetic modulator, and gender differences. our findings disclose novel biomedical implications in WJ-MSCs related to the sex of the donor, thus providing additional cues to exploit their regenerative potential in allogenic transplantation.