Isolation and evaluation of biological properties and differentiation potential of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells in covid-19 positive patients

Abstract

The present study investigated the biological properties of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells and their ability to differentiate in patients who have had positive COVID-19 PCR test result during their pregnancies. In this experimental laboratory study, the whole placenta specimens were obtained from 30 positive COVID-19 women undergoing cesarean section, with age 20 to 40 years, and kept under standardized conditions. The mesenchymal cells were isolated by enzymatic method and their morphological characteristics were examined by microscopy and absorption spectroscopy and their biological properties, in particular expression of CD markers, were determined by flow cytometry. Finally, mesenchymal stem cells were cultured in specific media in order to differentiate into osteocyte and adipocyte. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Morphological and physical examinations by microscope and absorption spectroscopy as well as presenting of CD44, CD73, CD90, and CD105 markers and lacking CD34 and CD45 markers demonstrated the mesenchymal entity of stem cells. Mesenchymal stem cells successfully differentiated into osteocyte and adipocyte.