Immune Netw.  2007 Sep;7(3):117-123. 10.4110/in.2007.7.3.117.

Hepatocyte Growth Factor is the Key Cytokine in Stimulating Potential Stem Cells in the Cord Blood into Hepatic Lineage Cells

• Ryu KH
• Cho SJ
• Woo SY
• Seoh JY
• Jung YJ
• Han HS

• KMID: 1513197
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4110/in.2007.7.3.117

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to investigate the role of the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) with regards to differentiation of somatic stem cells originating from the human umbilical cord blood (UCB) into hepatic lineage cells in vitro culture system.
METHODS
Mononuclear cells from UCB were cultured with and without HGF based on the fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-1, FGF-2, and stem cell factor. The cultured cells were confirmed by immunofluorescent staining analysis with albumin (ALB), cytokeratin-19 (CK-19), and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) MoAb. ALB and CK-18 mRNA were also evaluated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. In order to observe changes in proliferating capacity with respect to the cultured period, CFSE with affinity to proliferating cells were tagged and later underwent flow cytometry.
RESULTS
In the HGF-treated group, cultured cells had a large oval shaped appearance with adherent, but easily detachable characteristics. In the HGF-non treated group, these cells were spindle-shaped with strong adherent characteristics. Expressions of ALB and CK-19 were evident in HGF-treated group compared to non-expression of those in to HGF-non treated group. Dual immunostaining analysis of the ALB producing cells showed presence of PCNA in their nuclei, and ALB and CK-18 mRNA were detected on the 21st day of cultured cells in the HGF-treated group.
CONCLUSION
Our findings suggest that HGF has a pivotal role in differentiating somatic stem cells of human UCB into hepatic lineage cells in vitro.

Keyword

Hepatic growth factor; somatic stem cells; umbilical cord blood; differentiation; hepatic lineage cells

MeSH Terms

Cells, Cultured
Fetal Blood*
Fibroblast Growth Factor 2
Fibroblast Growth Factors
Flow Cytometry
Hepatocyte Growth Factor*
Hepatocytes*
Humans
Keratin-19
Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen
RNA, Messenger
Stem Cell Factor
Stem Cells*
Fibroblast Growth Factor 2
Fibroblast Growth Factors
Hepatocyte Growth Factor
Keratin-19
Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen
RNA, Messenger
Stem Cell Factor