Human umbilical mesenchymal stem cell and its adipogenic differentiation: Profiling by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Abstract

To study the metabolic profile of human umbilical mesenchymal stem cells (HUMSC) and adipogenic differentiation by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. HUMSC isolated from human umbilical cord stroma were induced to adipocytes over 2 wk by adding dexamethasone, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, indomethacin, and insulin to the culture medium. Adipogenic differentiation was confirmed by Red O staining and transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Perchloric acid extracts of the HUMSCs and adipocytes (about 7 × 10(6)) were characterized for metabolites by using in vitro high resolution 9.4T NMR spectroscopy. Several major metabolites, such as: choline, creatine, glutamate and myo-inositol, acetate, and some fatty acids/triglycerides, were observed in the MR spectroscopic pattern of HUMSCs and their adipogenic differentiation. HUMSCs are characterized by an unusually low number of NMR-detectable metabolites, high choline, acetate, glutamate and creatine content. However, the metabolic profiles of adipogenic differentiation demonstrated considerably higher methionine and fatty acids, and non-detectable creatine. The biomarkers of HUMSCS and adipocytes were obtained and assigned. NMR spectroscopy will be a promising tool for monitoring stem cell differentiation.