Human endometrial stromal stem cells differentiate into megakaryocytes with the ability to produce functional platelets

PLoS One. 2012;7(8):e44300. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0044300. Epub 2012 Aug 31.

Abstract

Human endometrium is a high dynamic tissue that contains endometrial stromal stem cells (hESSCs). The hESSCs have been differentiated into a number of cell lineages. However, differentiation of hESSCs into megakaryocytes (MKs) has not yet been investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of MK generation from hESSCs and subsequent production of functional platelets (PLTs). In our study, hESSCs were cultured from endometrial stromal cells as confirmed by positive stromal cell specific markers (CD90 and CD29) and negative hematopoietic stem cell markers (CD45 and CD34) expression. Then, hESSCs were differentiated in a medium supplemented with thrombopoietin (TPO) for 18 days. The MK differentiation was analyzed by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. The differentiation medium was collected for PLT production analysis by flow cytometry, transmission electron microscopy and functional measurements. Our results show: 1) MKs were successfully generated from hESSCs as identified by expression of specific markers (CD41a: 1 ± 0.09% and 39 ± 3.0%; CD42b: 1.2 ± 0.06% and 28 ± 2.0%, control vs. differentiation) accompanied with reduction of pluripotent transcription factors (Oct4 and Sox2) expression; 2) The level of PLTs in the differentiation medium was 16 ± 1 number/µl as determined by size (2-4 µm) and CD41a expression (CD41a: 1 ± 0.4% and 90±2.0%, control vs. differentiation); 3) Generated PLTs were functional as evidenced by the up-regulation of CD62p expression and fibrinogen binding following thrombin stimulation; 4) Released PLTs showed similar ultra-structure characteristics (alpha granules, vacuoles and dense tubular system) as PLTs from peripheral blood determined by electron microscopic analysis. Data demonstrate the feasibility of generating MKs from hESSCs, and that the generated MKs release functional PLTs. Therefore, hESSCs could be a potential new stem cell source for in vitro MK/PLT production.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Blood Platelets / cytology*
  • Blood Platelets / drug effects
  • Blood Platelets / metabolism
  • Blood Platelets / ultrastructure
  • Cell Differentiation* / drug effects
  • Cell Shape / drug effects
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Culture Media
  • Endometrium / cytology*
  • Female
  • Fibrinogen / metabolism
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Megakaryocytes / cytology*
  • Megakaryocytes / drug effects
  • Megakaryocytes / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Middle Aged
  • Octamer Transcription Factor-3 / metabolism
  • P-Selectin / metabolism
  • Protein Binding / drug effects
  • SOXB1 Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Stem Cells / drug effects
  • Stromal Cells / cytology
  • Stromal Cells / drug effects
  • Thrombin / pharmacology

Substances

  • Culture Media
  • Octamer Transcription Factor-3
  • P-Selectin
  • POU5F1 protein, human
  • SOX2 protein, human
  • SOXB1 Transcription Factors
  • Fibrinogen
  • Thrombin