Differentiation Of Human Umbilical Cord-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Into Cardiomyocytes

Objective: To investigate human umbilical cord Wharton's Jelly -derived mesenchymal stemcells(MSCs) differentiated into cardiomyocytes and the differentiation rate, to find a new sourceof cells for transplation of cardiomyocytes.Methods:The MSCs derived from human umbilical cord were incubated with 10μmol/ L5-azacytidine(5-aza) and 0.8％dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO).The myogenic cells differentiatedwere then evaluated by immunohistochemistry stained for desmin,cardiac troponinI andcardiac troponinT. Using the method of RT-PCR to test if the cells induced can express Nkx2.5and desmin eDNA. Transmission Electron Microscope was used to observe whether the cellsinduced have myofilament and Scanning Electron Microscopyope to observe the change ofshape.Results: A population of MSCs were isolated from human umbilical Wharton's Jelly. TheMSCs could be induced by both 5-aza and DMSO into cardiomyocytes. Immunocytochemistryshowed that differentiated cardiomyocyte-like cells expressed both desmin,cardiac troponinIand cardiac troponinT positive. The cells expressed Nkx2.5 and desmin cDNA and havemyofilament inside after induced. Conclusions:Human umbilical cord Wharton's Jelly -derivedMSCs can be induced into cardiomyocytes by both 5-azacytidine and DMSO. Based on theseobservations, and taking into account immense advantages of UCB over than other sources ofstem cell, we conclude that human umbilical cord -derived MSCs retain myocardiogenicpotential suitable for cell therapy and transplantation against intractable heart diseases.