Open Access

Stem cells derived from human first-trimester umbilical cord have the potential to differentiate into oocyte-like cells in vitro

  • Authors:
    • Xiang Hu
    • Hua Lu
    • Sheng Cao
    • Yan-Li Deng
    • Qi-Jia Li
    • Qian Wan
    • Shang-Mian Yie
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: March 11, 2015     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2015.2132
  • Pages: 1219-1229
  • Copyright: © Hu et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License [CC BY_NC 3.0].

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Abstract

Compared to stem cells derived from human term umbilical cord, stem cells derived from human first-trimester umbilical cord (hFTUC) exhibit a significantly greater proliferative potential, and more efficiency in terms of their in vitro differentiation. In the present study, we investigated whether hFTUC-derived stem cells are able to differentiate into germ cells. The hFTUC-derived stem cells were first isolated, expanded and then cultured in differentiation medium containing human follicular fluid, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)/luteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol for 24 days. During the period of induction, a subpopulation of the cultured cells appeared that had a morphological resemblance to primordial germ cells (PGCs) and cumulus-oocyte complex (COC)-like cells, and oocyte-like cells (OLCs). The PGC-like cells expressed specific markers indicative of germ cell formation such as octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4), stage-specific embryonic antigen 1 (SSEA1), B lymphocyte-induced maturation protein-1 (Blimp1), PR domain containing 14 (Prdm14), transcription factor AP-2 gamma (Tfap2C), VASA, STELLA, deleted in azoospermia-like (DAZL) and interferon-induced transmembrane protein 3 (IFITM3). The OLCs, which contained a single germinal vesicle, expressed oocyte-specific markers, such as synaptonemal complex protein 3 (SCP3), growth/differentiation factor-9 (GDF9), GDF9B and zona pellucida (ZP)1, ZP2 and ZP3. The COC-like cells secreted estradiol, vascular endothelial growth factor and leukemia inhibitory factor. Thus, our findings suggest that hFTUC-derived stem cells have an intrinsic ability to differentiate into OLCs, which may provide an in vitro model for the identification of factors involved in germ cell formation and differentiation.
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May-2015
Volume 35 Issue 5

Print ISSN: 1107-3756
Online ISSN:1791-244X

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Spandidos Publications style
Hu X, Lu H, Cao S, Deng Y, Li Q, Wan Q and Yie S: Stem cells derived from human first-trimester umbilical cord have the potential to differentiate into oocyte-like cells in vitro. Int J Mol Med 35: 1219-1229, 2015
APA
Hu, X., Lu, H., Cao, S., Deng, Y., Li, Q., Wan, Q., & Yie, S. (2015). Stem cells derived from human first-trimester umbilical cord have the potential to differentiate into oocyte-like cells in vitro. International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 35, 1219-1229. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2015.2132
MLA
Hu, X., Lu, H., Cao, S., Deng, Y., Li, Q., Wan, Q., Yie, S."Stem cells derived from human first-trimester umbilical cord have the potential to differentiate into oocyte-like cells in vitro". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 35.5 (2015): 1219-1229.
Chicago
Hu, X., Lu, H., Cao, S., Deng, Y., Li, Q., Wan, Q., Yie, S."Stem cells derived from human first-trimester umbilical cord have the potential to differentiate into oocyte-like cells in vitro". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 35, no. 5 (2015): 1219-1229. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2015.2132