Abstract:

Objective To investigate the protocols of isolating mesenchymal stem cells from the cord using an animal serum-free method and to evaluate their differentiation ability to hepatocytes. Methods Autologous cord blood serum was used to culture cord mesenchymal stem cells. An enzyme digesting method was used to isolate mesenchymal stem cells from the cord. Morphology, immunotyping and hepatogenic differentiation of these cells were assayed. Results FACS experiments showed that immunotyping of adherent cells cultured using autologous cord blood serum matched with the characters of mesenchymal stem cells and could differentiate into hepatocytes under the appropriate induction condition. After treatment for 4 weeks, differentiated cells could express hepatocytespecific markers. Some hepatocyte-like cells could uptake lipoprotein. Conclusion   The autologous cord blood serum method could effectively culture mesenchymal stem cells with hepatogenic differentiation ability.

Key words:  Stem cells; Cord blood serum; Cell culture