Differentiation of Human Wharton's jelly Mesenchymal Stem Cells into Oocyte-like Cells by Follicular Fluid

Background and Follicular fluid (FF) is a rich source of compounds for the development of oocyte. Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) have a same differentiation origin with primordial germ cells, therefore, WJ-MSCs could differentiate into oocyte-like cells (OLCs) in the presence of appropriate factors. The purpose of present study was to isolate WJ-MSCs and then investigate their differentiation capacity to OLCs by FF.
The fragments of Wharton's jelly were cultured in α-MEM supplemented with 10% FBS. WJ-MSC at the 3rd passage were studied for differentiation ability to adipocytes and osteocytes. Furthermore, WJ-MSCs related markers were assessed by flow cytometry. In the same passage, WJ-MSCs were induced to differentiate into oocyte-like cells by adding 10% human FF in α-MEM for 21 days.
WJ-MSCs could differentiate into adipocytes and osteocytes. Flow cytometry analysis indicated that WJ-MSCs do not express hematopoietic marker (CD34-CD45) and express MSCs markers (CD73, CD90 and CD105). WJ-MSCs which were under influence of FF differentiated into OLCs and immunocytochemistry analysis showed these cells have positive expression of ZP3, SYCP3 (oocyte’s markers) and VASA (germ cell’s marker).
The present study demonstrated that WJ-MSCs could differentiate into OLCs (morphologically) under the influence of FF and also expressed ZP3, VASA, and SYCP3 markers positively. According to the capabilities of WJ-MSCs, these cells seem to be suitable for use in cell therapy projects to improve infertility treatments.