Differentiation of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells into steroidogenic cells in comparison to bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells

Objectives Human umbilical cord can be obtained easily and it represents a non‐controversial source of mesenchymal stem cells ( MSC s) and umbilical cord Wharton's jelly‐derived MSC s ( UC ‐ MSC s) have low immunogenicity. In this study, UC ‐ MSC s were induced to become steroidogenic cells and compared to bone marrow‐derived MSC s ( BM ‐ MSC s). Material and methods UC ‐ MSC s and BM ‐ MSC s were induced to differentiate into steroidogenic cells by infection with adenovirus containing SF ‐1. Expression of steroidogenic m RNA was analysed by real‐time RT ‐ PCR and steroid secretion was detected by ELISA testing. Viability of differentiated cells was examined using cell counting kit‐8 assay. Results Both UC ‐ MSC s and BM ‐ MSC s expressed typical MSC markers and could differentiate into adipocytes, osteocytes and chondrocytes and both cell types had the potential to differentiate into steroidogenic cells after being infected with adenovirus containing SF ‐1 c DNA . However, UC ‐ MSC s had significantly higher proliferative potential than BM ‐ MSC s and differentiated UC ‐ MSC s had significantly higher expression of all steroidogenic m RNA s tested over those of differentiated BM ‐ MSC s; this included P450 side‐chain cleavage enzyme, 3β‐ HSD , 17β‐ HSD type 3, LH ‐ R , ACTH ‐ R , P450c21 and CYP 17. In addition, differentiated UC ‐ MSC s secreted significantly more steroidogenic hormones than differentiated BM ‐ MSC s, including testosterone and cortisol. Furthermore, differentiated UC ‐ MSC s had significantly higher cell viability than differentiated BM ‐ MSC s. Conclusions UC ‐ MSC s had significantly higher potential of steroidogenic differentiation than BM ‐ MSC s; thus, UC ‐ MSC s could be favourable cells of choice for cell‐based therapy for steroidogenic insufficiency compared to BM ‐ MSC s.