Wharton's jelly derived mesenchymal stem cells differentiate into oocyte like cells in vitro by follicular fluid and cumulus cells conditioned medium
Mona Zolfaghar,
Leila Mirzaeian,
Bahareh Beiki,
Tahereh Naji,
Ashraf Moini,
Poopak Eftekhari-Yazdi,
Vahid Akbarinejad,
Andrea J. Vernengo,
Rouhollah Fathi
Affiliations
Mona Zolfaghar
Department of Embryology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran; Department of Molecular and Cellular Sciences, Faculty of Advanced Sciences & Technology, Pharmaceutical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, IAUPS, Tehran, Iran
Leila Mirzaeian
Department of Embryology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
Bahareh Beiki
Skin and Stem Cell Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Tahereh Naji
Department of Molecular and Cellular Sciences, Faculty of Advanced Sciences & Technology, Pharmaceutical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, IAUPS, Tehran, Iran
Ashraf Moini
Department of Endocrinology and Female Infertility, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
Poopak Eftekhari-Yazdi
Department of Embryology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
Vahid Akbarinejad
Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
Andrea J. Vernengo
Rowan University, Department of Biomedical Engineering, 201 Mullica Hill Rd, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA
Rouhollah Fathi
Department of Embryology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran; Corresponding author.
Wharton's jelly derived-mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) have a same developmental origin with primordial germ cells. WJ-MSCs perhaps differentiate into oocyte and germ like-cells (OLCs/GLCs) in the presence of appropriate inducers. Human follicular fluid (FF) and cumulus cells conditioned medium (CCM) are naturally rich sources for oocyte development. The aim of this study was to evaluate WJ-MSCs potential for differentiating into OLCs and GLCs exposed to FF and CCM. WJ-MSCs were cultured in two different induction media (10% FF, 10% CCM) for 21 days. Morphological changes and expression of developmental genes were evaluated on days 0, 7, 14 and 21 of culture. Also, on 21st day of culture, the expression of oocyte and germ cell proteins investigated using immunofluorescence staining. Appearance of round shaped cells from 7th day onwards indicated that WJ-MSCs can differentiate into OLCs when exposed to FF and CCM. The size of produced OLCs and expression of oocyte specific genes and proteins were increased more positively in FF group rather than CCM group. Although, WJ-MSCs could differentiate into OLCs by FF and CCM, however, the induction potential of FF for producing OLCs was better than CCM.
