Different Angiogenic Potentials of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived from Umbilical Artery, Umbilical Vein, and Wharton's Jelly.

Lu Xu,Ruiwei Jiang,Haixiang Sun,Guijun Yan,Lijun Ding,Bruno Pèault,Yong Liu,Zhenyu Diao,Jingyu Liu,Jianjun Zhou,Lei Wang

doi:10.1155/2017/3175748

Abstract

Human mesenchymal stem cells derived from the umbilical cord (UC) are a favorable source for allogeneic cell therapy. Here, we successfully isolated the stem cells derived from three different compartments of the human UC, including perivascular stem cells derived from umbilical arteries (UCA-PSCs), perivascular stem cells derived from umbilical vein (UCV-PSCs), and mesenchymal stem cells derived from Wharton's jelly (WJ-MSCs). These cells had the similar phenotype and differentiation potential toward adipocytes, osteoblasts, and neuron-like cells. However, UCA-PSCs and UCV-PSCs had more CD146+ cells than WJ-MSCs (P < 0.05). Tube formation assay in vitro showed the largest number of tube-like structures and branch points in UCA-PSCs among the three stem cells. Additionally, the total tube length in UCA-PSCs and UCV-PSCs was significantly longer than in WJ-MSCs (P < 0.01). Microarray, qRT-PCR, and Western blot analysis showed that UCA-PSCs had the highest expression of the Notch ligand Jagged1 (JAG1), which is crucial for blood vessel maturation. Knockdown of Jagged1 significantly impaired the angiogenesis in UCA-PSCs. In summary, UCA-PSCs are promising cell populations for clinical use in ischemic diseases.

Highlights

Over the last few decades, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been widely explored for their potential as a treatment strategy for disorders caused by insufficient angiogenesis, including atherosclerosis, stroke, myocardial infarction, and chronic wounds [1]
NG2 is a proteoglycan associated with pericytes during vascular morphogenesis. α-SMA can be reproducibly detected in cells surrounding the venules and arterioles and is responsible for regulating microvessel contractility
Immunofluorescence staining was used to visualize the expression of PDGF-Rβ, NG2, α-SMA, and CD146 in umbilical arteries (UCAs), umbilical vein (UCV), and WJ samples obtained from the same umbilical cord (UC)

Summary

Introduction

Over the last few decades, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been widely explored for their potential as a treatment strategy for disorders caused by insufficient angiogenesis, including atherosclerosis, stroke, myocardial infarction, and chronic wounds [1]. They can adhere to tissue culture flasks and are positive for specific markers like CD73, CD90, and CD105 and negative for hematopoietic markers such as CD34, CD45, and HLA-DR. UC-derived MSCs are isolated primarily from Wharton’s jelly (WJ-MSCs), which is the mucoid connective tissue in the UC [8]

Methods

Results

Conclusion