Multipotent menstrual blood stromal stem cells: isolation, characterization, and differentiation

Cell Transplant. 2008;17(3):303-11. doi: 10.3727/096368908784153922.

Abstract

The stromal stem cell fraction of many tissues and organs has demonstrated to exhibit stem cell properties such as the capability of self-renewal and multipotency, allowing for multilineage differentiation. In this study, we characterize a population of stromal stem cells derived from menstrual blood (MenSCs). We demonstrate that MenSCs are easily expandable to clinical relevance and express multipotent markers such as Oct-4, SSEA-4, and c-kit at the molecular and cellular level. Moreover, we demonstrate the multipotency of MenSCs by directionally differentiating MenSCs into chondrogenic, adipogenic, osteogenic, neurogenic, and cardiogenic cell lineages. These studies demonstrate the plasticity of MenSCs for potential research in regenerative medicine.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adipocytes / cytology
  • Adipocytes / metabolism
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Lineage
  • Chondrocytes / cytology
  • Chondrocytes / metabolism
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Karyotyping
  • Menstrual Cycle / blood*
  • Multipotent Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Multipotent Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Octamer Transcription Factor-3 / genetics
  • Octamer Transcription Factor-3 / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / metabolism
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Stromal Cells / cytology*
  • Stromal Cells / metabolism

Substances

  • Octamer Transcription Factor-3
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit