Phenotypic and Functional Characterization of Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Chorionic Villi of Human Term Placenta

Abstract

Background: Bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) are used extensively in transplantation but their use is associated with many problems including low abundance in BM, low overall number, decreased differentiation potential with age and the invasive isolation procedures needed to obtain BM. We report a novel method of isolating placental MSCs (pMSCs) from chorionic villi, which exhibit the phenotypic and functional characteristics that will make them an attractive source of MSCs for cell-based therapy. Methods: A novel explant approach was used to isolate pMSCs from chorionic villi of human placentae. These pMSCs were characterized by flow cytometry and were differentiated int..