The differentiation potential of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells into cell lineage related to male germ cells

P Bräunig,P.B.D Gonçalves,V.B Rissi,W.G Glanzner

doi:10.1590/1678-4162-9132

Abstract

ABSTRACT The adipose tissue is a reliable source of Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) showing a higher plasticity and transdifferentiation potential into multilineage cells. In the present study, adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AT-MSCs) were isolated from mice omentum and epididymis fat depots. The AT-MSCs were initially compared based on stem cell surface markers and on the mesodermal trilineage differentiation potential. Additionally, AT-MSCs, from both sources, were cultured with differentiation media containing retinoic acid (RA) and/or testicular cell-conditioned medium (TCC). The AT-MSCs expressed mesenchymal surface markers and differentiated into adipogenic, chondrogenic and osteogenic lineages. Only omentum-derived AT-MSCs expressed one important gene marker related to male germ cell lineages, after the differentiation treatment with RA. These findings reaffirm the importance of adipose tissue as a source of multipotent stromal-stem cells, as well as, MSCs source regarding differentiation purpose.

Highlights

An area of biological research that generates great optimism is the use of stem cells for the treatment of diseases (Young and Black, 2004; Nayernia et al, 2006)
AT-Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) cultures from two different fat pads in mice, omentum and epididymis, were analyzed by flow citometry and, the classical mesenchymal surface markers were expressed in cells from both sources, their levels differed between cells from the two adipose sources and among passages (Figure 1A, B and Table 2)
These results indicated that adipose tissue isolated from mouse omentum and epididymis regions have different subsets of MSC The immunophenotype results presented in this study are in accordance with studies that relate the variable expression of surface markers to differences in tissue sources, the method of isolation and culture, and species differences (Silva et al, 2013; Prunet-Marcussus et al, 2006; Chamberlain et al, 2007; Schäffler and Büchler, 2007)

Summary

Introduction

An area of biological research that generates great optimism is the use of stem cells for the treatment of diseases (Young and Black, 2004; Nayernia et al, 2006). A reliable source of stem cells are the adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AT-MSCs), which are well characterized, easy to isolate, and have already been used for therapeutic applications (Mitchell et al, 2006; Gimble et al, 2007). The cellular complexity of adipose tissue can be divided into two different cell fractions: mature adipocytes and the stromal-vascular fraction (SVF). The SVF is highly heterogeneous, containing fibroblasts, endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, monocytes, hematopoietic cells, and mesenchymal stem cells (Prunet-Marcassus et al, 2006; Schäffler and Büchler, 2007). This cellular fraction can be isolated from adipocytes and maintained in culture. The AT-MSCs expand manifold in culture, reaching high passage numbers and retaining differentiation potential (Bunnell et al, 2008; Zhu et al, 2008)

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