Comparison of Biological Characteristics and Multiple Differentiation Potential of Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Different Sources

This study aimed to compare the biological characteristics and differentiation potential of hADSCs (human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells) and hUMSCs (human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells). hADSCs and hUMSCs were cultured in vitro. Cell proliferation was characterized by construction of growth curves and calculation of the PDT (population doubling time). We also compared the cells’ proliferative ability by colony forming assays, determined the cell surface antigens by flow cytometry, and tested the pluripotency-related genes by RT-PCR. Differentiation potential was compared by adipogenic, osteogenic induction and differentiation kits. The ratios of CD34, CD44, CD45, CD105 expressed in hADSCs versus hUMSCs were 2.7% vs 6.2%, 92.3% vs 93.4%, 1.3% vs 3.1%, and 99.4% vs 98.0%, respectively. All cells expressed Oct4 and Nanog and presented an S-shaped growth curve. There was no significant difference in PDT between the two cell types (P>0.05). The proliferative ability of both cell types declined progressively with passaging, but the proliferative ability of hADSCs at passage 7 was significantly higher than hUMSCs (P<0.05). Results of oil red O, alizarin red staining, RT-PCR and cell immunofluorescence suggested that both cell types had the potential to differentiate into adipocytes and osteocytes. However, hADSCs had stronger adipogenic ability than hUMSCs, but there was no significant difference in osteogenic ability between the two cell types. In summary, while hADSCs and hUMSCs share key biological features, hADSCs seem to have stronger proliferative and adipogenic abilities.

CSTR: 32200.14.cjcb.2020.04.0003