Phenotype Characteristics and Osteogenic Differentiation Potential of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived from Amnion Membrane (HAMSCs) and Umbilical Cord (HUC-MSCs)

INTRODUCTION: Human amnion membrane mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs) and human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) are potential, non invasive sources of stem cells used for bone tissue engineering. Phenotyping characterization is an extremely important consideration in the choice of the appropriate passage in order to maximize its osteogenic differentiation potential. AIM: To explore phenotype characteristics and compare osteogenic differentiation potential of hAMSCs and hUC-MSCs. METHOD: Isolation and culture were performed on hAMSCs and hUC-MSCs from a healthy woman in her 38(th) weeks of pregnancy. CD90, CD105 and CD73 phenotype characterization was done in passage 4-7. An osteogenic differentiation examination of hAMSCs and hUC-MSCs with Alizarin red staining and RUNX2 expression was performed in the passage that had appropriate expressions of phenotype characteristics. RESULTS: The expression of CD90 hUC-MSCs was higher than that of hAMSCs in all passages. CD105 hUC-MSCs was higher in passage 4-6, while CD105 hAMSCs was equal to that of hUC-MSCs in passage 7. CD73 hUC-MSCs was higher than hAMSCs in passage 4 and 5, while in passage 6 and 7 hAMSCs was higher than hUC-MSCs. There was a decrease in the number of CD90, CD105 and CD73 on hAMSCs and hUC-MSCs in passage 5, then determined as appropriate passage. Alizarin red staining examination showed calcium deposition and revealed no significant difference, but RUNX2 expression of hUC-MSCs was significantly higher than that for hAMSCs. CONCLUSION: Both hAMSCs and hUC-MSCs had phenotype characteristics of mesenchymal stem cell and showed ostegenic differentiation potential.