Evaluation of surface markers and related genes of the human umbilical cord derived Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cells

Background and purpose: Umbilical cord derived Wharton's jelly is an enrich ed and accessible source of stem cells with highly proliferative and differenti ation potential. This study aimed to evaluate the s urface markers and related genes of the stem cells isolated from t he human Wharton's jelly. Materials and methods: Explants of the human umbilical cord derived Wharton's jelly was dissected and cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM ) supplemented with 20% Fetal bovine serum (FBS). Then, those cells migrated from explant's boundary were r eplated and passaged in DMEM containing 10% FBS. Finally, by using flowcytometry and (Reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction) RT-PCR techniques different surface markers and related genes were analyzed. Results: 5-7 days post-plating, the stem cells initiated th e migration from cultured explants and showed up to 80% densities on days 16-18. Light microscopy demonstrated two distinct cell populations including fibroblast- like and flat endothelial-like cells. Dual staining with flowcytometry also revealed that the cultured cells were found to be positive for CD44, CD73, CD90, CD105 and negative for CD34 and CD45. RT-PCR showed no changes in CD marker expression pattern during different passages . Conclusion: Human Wharton's jelly derived stem cells appear mesenchymal cell morphology and express related surface markers but no hematopoietic stem c ell markers.