Gauthaman K, Fong CY, Suganya CA, Subramanian A, Biswas A, Choolani M, Bongso A. Extra-embryonic human Wharton's jelly stem cells do not induce tumorigenesis, unlike human embryonic stem cells.
Reprod Biomed Online 2011;
24:235-46. [PMID:
22196893 DOI:
10.1016/j.rbmo.2011.10.007]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2011] [Revised: 10/12/2011] [Accepted: 10/12/2011] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Tumorigenesis is the major obstacle of tissues derived from human embryonic stem cells (ESC) and human induced pluripotent stem cell (IPSC) for transplantation therapy. This prompted a search for other sources of ESC. This study isolated and characterized stem cells from the extra-embryonic human umbilical cord Wharton's jelly (WJSC). These cells are non-controversial, available in abundance, proliferative, multipotent and hypoimmunogenic. However, their tumorigenic potential has not been properly addressed. Their tumour-producing capabilities were compared with human ESC using the immunodeficient mouse model. Unlabelled human ESC+matrigel (2×10(6)cells/site), labelled human WJSC (red fluorescent protein; 5×10(6)cells/site) and unlabelled human WJSC+matrigel (5×10(6)cells/site) were injected via three routes (s.c., i.m. and i.p.). Animals that received human ESC+matrigel developed teratomas in 6 weeks (s.c. 85%; i.m. 75%; i.p. 100%) that contained tissues of ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm. No animal that received human WJSC developed tumours or inflammatory reactions at the injection sites when maintained for a prolonged period (20 weeks). Human WJSC produced increases in anti-inflammatory cytokines in contrast to human ESC, which increased pro-inflammatory cytokines. Human WJSC, being hypoimmunogenic and non-tumorigenic, have the potential for safe cell-based therapies.
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