Differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells isolated from the amniotic membrane and umbilical cord to osteocytes and the expression of RunX2, Osteonectin, ALP genes

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells and able to differentiate into connective tissues such as bone, fat, cartilage, tendon, and muscle. They show to be very potent tools for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Several researches have shown that amniotic membrane mesenchymal stem cells (AM-MSCs) and umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UCB-MSCs) are both multipotent in nature differentiating into several cell types such as adipocytes and osteoblasts. In this study, mesenchymal stem cells were derived from the human amniotic membrane (hAM-dMSCs) and umbilical cord then characterized with their surface antigens using flow cytometry. These cells differentiated to osteocyte and adipocyte in induction medium then the expression of RunX2, Osteonectin, and ALP genes were calculated by Real-Time PCR. We showed that AM-MSCs and UCB-MSCs can discriminate to osteogenic and adipogenic cells in the specific induction medium. The capability of AM-MSCs and UCB-MSCs differentiation to osteogenic cells was confirmed by enhanced expression of RUNX2, ALP and Osteonectin gene and deposition calcium shown by alzerin staning. Given the available evidence, we conclude that AM-MSCs and UCB-MSCs have suitable access, low immunization and lack of medical ethics problems are one of the appropriate sources for differentiation in to osteogenic and adipogenic cells. Also, they can be considered as good choices for treatment of mesenchymal tissue injuries and tissue engineering.

Differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells isolated from the amniotic membrane and umbilical cord to osteocytes and the expression of RunX2, Osteonectin, ALP genes Keywords:

Amniotic membrane , Umblical cord , Osteocyst , Osteonectin , RunX2