Culture and in vitro hepatogenic differentiation of placenta-derived stem cells, using placental extract as an alternative to serum

Objectives: Translational research using adult stem cells derived from various tissues has been highlighted in cell-based therapy. However, there are many limitations to using conventional culture systems of adult stem cells for clinically applicability, including limited combinations of cytokines and use of nutrients derived from animals. Here, we have investigated the effects of placental extract (PE) for culture of placenta-derived stem cells (PDSCs) as well as their potential for hepatogenic differentiation. Materials and methods: Placental extract, extracted using water-soluble methods, was used as a supplement for culture of PDSCs. Cell viability was determined using the MTT assay, and cytokine assay was performed using Luminex assay kit. Gene expression, indocyanine green (ICG) up-take, PAS (Periodic Acid-Schiff) staining and urea production were also analysed. Results: The placental extract contained several types of cytokine and chemokine essential for maintenance and differentiation of stem cells. Expression of stemness markers in PDSCs cultured with PE is no different from that of PDSCs cultured with foetal bovine serum (FBS). After hepatogenic differentiation, expression patterns for hepatocyte-specific markers in PDSCs cultured with PE were consistent and potential for hepatogenic differentiation of PDSCs cultured with PE was similar to that of PDSCs cultured with FBS, as shown by PAS staining and urea production assays. Conclusions: Our findings revealed that placental extract could be used as a new component for culture of adult stem cells, as well as for development of human-based medium, in translational research for regenerative medicine.