Isolation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Wharton’s Jelly in Comparison with Bone Marrow and Their Endothelial Differentiation

Objective: Umbilical cord Wharton’s jelly as source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be easily obtained. In this study, MSCs were isolated from bone marrow and Wharton’s jelly and induced to differentiate into endothelial-like cells. Materials and Methods: MSCs were isolated and induced to differentiate into endothelial-like cells using vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The endothelial differentiation was evaluated by morphological changes, flow-cytometric analysis of surface markers CD31, CD34, and detection of vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin) by immunocytochemical analysis. Proliferation curves were done for non-induced cells and the mean population doubling time was obtained. Results: Umbilical cord Wharton’s jelly (UC-MSCs) and bone marrow (BM-MSCs) induced with VEGF show spindle shape with no much morphology difference form MSCs. No significant difference between BM & UC induced cells as regard to CD31 or CD34. Induced cells showed positive staining with VE-cadherin. The mean cell doubling time of the BM-MSCs was 99.5±2.9 hours, and that of the UC-MSCs was 74.5±10.9 hours. Conclusion: MSCs can be isolated from Wharton’s jelly and UC can be easily obtained, representing a noncontroversial source of MSCs. UC-MSCs were induced to differentiate into endothelial-like cells, their endothelial differentiation potential was compareble to BM-MSCs.