Isolation, characterization and immunomodulatory-associated gene transcription of Wharton’s jelly-derived multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells at different trimesters of cow pregnancy

• Published in: Cell and tissue research Vol. 367; no. 2; pp. 243 - 256
• Main Authors: Cardoso, Tereza C., Okamura, Lucas H., Baptistella, Jamila C., Gameiro, Roberto, Ferreira, Helena L., Marinho, Márcia, Flores, Eduardo F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.02.2017; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Animals; Biomarkers - metabolism; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Cattle; Cell Differentiation; Cell Lineage; Cell Proliferation; Cell Separation - methods; Cell Shape; Cell Survival; Female; Flow Cytometry; Gene Expression Profiling; Genetic aspects; Human Genetics; Immunomodulation - genetics; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells - cytology; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells - metabolism; Molecular Medicine; Multipotent Stem Cells - cytology; Multipotent Stem Cells - metabolism; Phenotype; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Trimesters - genetics; Pregnant women; Proteomics; Regular Article; Stem cells; T cells; Telomerase - metabolism; Transcription (Genetics); Transcription, Genetic; Umbilical cord; Umbilical Cord - cytology; Wharton Jelly - cytology; Umbilical cord; Bovine; Immunomodulation; Stem cells
• ISSN: 0302-766X; 1432-0878
• DOI: 10.1007/s00441-016-2504-9

The possibility of isolating bovine mesenchymal multipotent stromal cells (MSCs) from fetal adnexa is an interesting prospect due to the potential use of these cells in biotechnological applications. However, little is known about the properties of these progenitor cells in bovine species. Wharton’s jelly (WJ) MSC cells were obtained from the umbilical cord of bovine fetuses at three different stages of pregnancy and divided into groups 1, 2 and 3 according to gestational trimester. Cell morphology, from the three stages of pregnancy, typically appeared fibroblast-like spindle-shaped, presenting the same viability and number. Moreover, the proliferative ability of T-cells in response to a mitogenic stimulus was suppressed when WJMSC cells were added to the culture. Multilineage properties were confirmed by their ability to undergo adipogenic, osteogenic/chondrogenic and neurogenic differentiation. Mesenchymal phenotyping, CD105+, CD29+, CD73+ and CD90+ cell markers were detected in all three cell groups, yet these markers were considered more expressed in MSCs of group 2 ( p  < 0.005). Expression of cytokines IL2 , IL6RR , INFAC , INFB1 , IFNG , TNF and LTBR were downregulated, whereas IL1F10 expression was upregulated in all tested WJMSCs. The present study demonstrated that WJMSCs harvested from the bovine umbilical cord at different gestational stages showed proliferative capacity, immune privilege and stemness potential.