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Background: Wharton's Jelly-Mesenchymal Stem Cells (WJ-MSCs) are pluripotent cells with differentiation capability into most cell lineages. The aim of the current work was to examine the role of Retinoic Acid (RA) in differentiation process of these cells into hepatocyte-like cells and determine the morphological and functional patterns. Methods: Human WJ-MSCs were extracted, cultured and expanded; after approximately 95% of confluence, the cells were treated with hepatogenic media containing RA. The cells were subsequently analyzed for morphological changes, glycogen storage, albumin production, and specific gene expression. Results: WJ-MSCs expressed high levels of CD90 (93.6%) and CD105 (90.7%), but low levels of CD34 (0.3%) and CD45 (0.8%). Albumin production had significant difference in the two groups (p≤0.05). The data showed specific characteristics in favor of considering the differentiated cells as hepatocyte-like cells such as obtaining morphologic, functional, and αFP and HNF1-α expression patterns which in turn were higher in cells exposed to RA. Conclusion: Based on the data of present study, RA is an effective molecule in inducing differentiation of WJ-MSCs into hepatocyte-like cells; therefore, it may be considered as a promising factor for targeting therapy of liver disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Colon tumor is generated and maintained by a small subset of chemo-resistant cancer cells known as Cancer Stem-like Cells (CSCs) that are able to self-renew and differentiate into various cell types within the cancer milieu. CSCs are identified through expression of CD133 that is the most important surface marker of these cells. Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule (EpCAM) is another colon CSCs marker. Other markers that are probably involved in colon tumorigenesis are Leucine-rich repeat- containing G-protein-coupled Receptor 5 (LGR5), B cell-specific Moloney murine leukemia virus insertion site 1 (BMI1) and Ten-Eleven Translocations (TETs). Methods: Here, mRNA expression rates of LGR5, BMI1 and TETs were surveyed by real-time PCR. After collection and digestion, colon samples were used to isolate CD133 and EpCAM positive CSCs through evaluation of AC133 EpCAM by Magnetic Activated Cell Sorting (MACS) and flow cytometry. Real-time PCR was carried out for assessing expressions of LGR5, BMI1 and TETs. Results: High expressions for LGR5, BMI1, TET1 and TET2 in the CD133 and EpCAM positive CSCs (p≤0.05 vs. non-CSCs) were found. TET3, however, showed no significant changes for mRNA expression in the CSCs. Conclusion: In conclusion, high mRNA expressions for LGR5, BMI1, TET1 and TET2 in the CD133 and EpCAM positive CSCs may be a useful criterion for better identification of the cells involved in colon cancer in order to specify therapeutic targets against this type of cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]