Scientific Journal of

  In vitro differentiation of human umbilical vein

  mesenchymal stem cells into hepatocyte-like cells

  Raufi A.¹ , Amini A.¹ , Azadbakht M.¹ , Nikkhoo B.^2,3 , Aboozari M.³ , Fathi F^2,3

  ¹ Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran

  ² Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran

  ³ Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran

  Abstract

 Background and Objectives

 Umbilical vein mesenchymal stem cells (UVMSC) which are multipotent precursors have been recently isolated. They are capable of differentiating into various cell types including neural and cardiac cells. In this study, the differentiation ability of human UVMSC into hepatocyte cells has investigated with concentration on hepatic genes expression profile.

 Materials and Methods

 The UVMSC were isolated and cultured in differentiation medium containing hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and oncostatin M (OSM) using two step protocol. Differentiation of UVMSCs into cells expressing liver-specific genes was investigated by RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry.

 Results

 The cells showed the remarkable transition from bipolar fibroblast-like morphology to epithelial and polygonal shapes. The temporal gene expression pattern of hepatocyte-specific genes such as CK8, CK18, HNF3β, c-Met, AFP, TTR, G6P, Transthyretin, and ALB were detected during differentiation. The immunoflourescent analysis also showed that the differentiated cells were stained positively for CK-18 protein.

 Conclusions

 Findings indicate that UVMSC has a potential for differentiation into the hepatic like cells.

 Key words : Umbilical Veins, Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Hepatocyte Growth Factor, Oncostatin M 

 Sci J Iran Blood Transfus Org 2011 8(2): 79-87

  Received: 29 Nov 2010

  Accepted: 15 Feb 2011