Brief Article
Copyright ©2012 Baishideng. All rights reserved.
World J Stem Cells. Apr 26, 2012; 4(4): 21-27
Published online Apr 26, 2012. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v4.i4.21
Human umbilical mesenchymal stem cell and its adipogenic differentiation: Profiling by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy
Zhi-Feng Xu, Ai-Zhen Pan, Fang Yong, Chong-Yang Shen, Yao-Wen Chen, Ren-Hua Wu
Zhi-Feng Xu, Yao-Wen Chen, Ren-Hua Wu, Department of Medical Imaging, the 2nd Affiliated Hospital, Medical College of Shantou University, Shantou 515041, Guangdong Province, China
Zhi-Feng Xu, Ai-Zhen Pan, Fang Yong, Department of Medical Imaging, The First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan 528000, Guangdong Province, China
Chong-Yang Shen, Multidisciplinary Research Center of Shantou University, Shantou 515041, Guangdong Province, China
Author contributions: Xu ZF and Pan AZ contributed equally to this paper; Xu ZF performed the majority of experiments and wrote the manuscript; Shen CY provided vital reagents and stem cells; Pan AZ and Yong F were involved in editing the manuscript; Chen YW provided some materials and equipment; Wu RH designed the study and provided financial support for this work.
Supported by Grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Key program 30930027) and Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province (No. 8151503102000032)
Correspondence to: Ren-Hua Wu, Professor, Department of Medical Imaging, the 2nd Affiliated Hospital, Medical College of Shantou University, Shantou 515041, Guangdong Province, China. rhwu@stu.edu.cn
Telephone: +86-754-88915674 Fax: +86-754-88915674
Received: August 11, 2011
Revised: February 21, 2012
Accepted: March 3, 2012
Published online: April 26, 2012
Abstract

AIM: To study the metabolic profile of human umbilical mesenchymal stem cells (HUMSC) and adipogenic differentiation by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.

METHODS: HUMSC isolated from human umbilical cord stroma were induced to adipocytes over 2 wk by adding dexamethasone, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, indomethacin, and insulin to the culture medium. Adipogenic differentiation was confirmed by Red O staining and transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Perchloric acid extracts of the HUMSCs and adipocytes (about 7 × 106) were characterized for metabolites by using in vitro high resolution 9.4T NMR spectroscopy.

RESULTS: Several major metabolites, such as: choline, creatine, glutamate and myo-inositol, acetate, and some fatty acids/triglycerides, were observed in the MR spectroscopic pattern of HUMSCs and their adipogenic differentiation. HUMSCs are characterized by an unusually low number of NMR-detectable metabolites, high choline, acetate, glutamate and creatine content. However, the metabolic profiles of adipogenic differentiation demonstrated considerably higher methionine and fatty acids, and non-detectable creatine.

CONCLUSION: The biomarkers of HUMSCS and adipocytes were obtained and assigned. NMR spectroscopy will be a promising tool for monitoring stem cell differentiation.

Keywords: Human umbilical mesenchymal stem cell; Adipogenic differentiation; MR spectroscopy; Biomarker