Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd 2006; 66 - FV_G_01_13
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-952237

Placental mesenchymal stem cells: A novel autologous stem cell graft for peripartum neural regeneration?

CB Portmann-Lanz 1, S Mohr 1, A Schoeberlein 1, A Huber 1, R Sager 1, A Malek 1, W Holzgreve 2, DV Surbek 1
  • 1Departement Klinische Forschung, Klinik für Frauenheilkunde, Universitätsspital Bern, Bern, Schweiz
  • 2Universitäts-Frauenspital Basel, Basel, Schweiz

Objective: To assess whether mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are present in placental tissue and if they have the potential to be differentiated into mesodermal and neuronal lineage, particularly in regard with possible neuroregeneration in brain injury in the premature infant.

Design: MSCs were isolated from first and third trimester chorion, amnion and placental villous stroma. Mesenchymal (CD166, CD105, CD90, CD73, CD49e, CD44, CD29, CD13) and hematopoietic (CD14, CD34, CD45) stem cell markers as well as immunologic markers (MHC I&II) were used for analysis. After differentiation towards the mesodermal and neuroectodermal lineage cells were characterised microscopically, by surface marker profiling, by cytochemical staining and immuncytochemistry and compared with bone marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs).

Results: Both the fibroblast-like morphology and the stem cell marker profile of most of the cells resembled the BM-MSCs, staining positive for mesenchymal and negative for hematopoietic markers. In contrast to BM-MSCs, isolated cells expressed no MHC II. All placenta-derived cells possess the potential to differentiate 1) into cells presenting cell markers or cytologic staining consistent with mature chondroblasts, osteoblasts, adipocytes and myocytes, and 2) into neural cells presenting various stages of maturation.

Conclusion: Because of their neurogenic potential placenta-derived MSCs might become a promising autologous stem cell graft for neural regeneration. Placental tissue as a waste material is an abundantly available source for multipotential stem cells to be used in peripartum tissue regeneration or for in utero transplantation in genetic disorders. In comparison with allogeneic embryonic stem cells immunologic rejection and ethical concerns could be evaded by this means. Unlike BM-MSCs the fetal cells did not express MHC II and might thus be immune-privileged. In conclusion, we suggest these cells for regeneration of neural tissue, muscle, bone and cartilage.