Comparative study of the multidifferentiation potential of human Wharton's Jelly and amniotic fluid derived stem cells

Mesenchymal stem cells ( MSCs), potentially immune-privileged cells, have been isolated from bone marrow, umbilical cord, e.g. umbilical vein and Whartonâ s Jelly, and from amniotic fluid. Amniotic fluid cells were used for prenatal diagnosis since 1950. Although being a well established diagnostic technique, little is known about the origin and properties of those cells, its embryonic or foetal origin remaining unclear. 
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\nIn this study, we compared the osteogenic and chondrogenic potential of human Whartonâ s Jelly derived cells (WJCs) and amniotic fluid stem cells (hAFSCs). We used MSCs isolated from around the blood vessels (perivascular zone) of umbilical cords col- lected in caesarean surgeries of full-term pregnancies, and hAFSCs from day 6 supernatant of the cultures of amniotic fluid were also obtained from amniocentesis. Flow cytometry analysis was per- formed to characterize both cell populations, by evaluating the presence of stem cell surface markers. Osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation was assessed by immunocytochemistry and RT-PCR