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 Background and Objectives:�Stem cells are characterized by the ability to renew themselves through mitotic cell division and differentiating into a diverse range of specific cell types. Wharton's jelly is the appropriate source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that have high differentiation competence. The aim of this study was differentiation of MSCs to lens fiber cells. In differentiation pathway of lens fiber cells, crystallins are expressed . Thus, crystallins can be used as differentiation marker of lens fiber cells.

  Method: In the current study MSCs were isolated from the mouse umbilical cord. It was minced into 1-2 mm³ fragments and then were incubated with collagenase type IA following pipetting for mechanical isolation of cells. Cell suspension was plated in 25 cm² culture flasks. Alkaline Phosphatase detection kit was used for staining of undifferentiated UC-MSCs from passage I. In the experimental group MSCs were plated in the maintenance medium supplemented with bovine vitreous body (1:3 v/v) for induction. Protein lysate were prepared from cells on days 10 of induction and were analyzed on polyacrylamide gels and transferred to nitrocellulose membranes. Rat lens extract was used as a positive control. Anti-alpha A, alpha B crystallin, secondary antibody, vectastain ABC- kit (standard) and vector blue alkaline phosphatase substrate kit III were used.

  Results: Mouse umbilical cord MSCs had alkaline phosphatase activity. Morphological studies and separation of proteins in electrophoresis indicated that experimental group cells might probably differentiated into lens fiber cells.

  Conclusion: Mouse umbilical cord could be used as an appropriate source for MSCs. MSCs had fibroblast- like morph and experimental group indicated the presence of fiber-like cells that were long, thin, and parallel aligned. Electrophoresis and Western blot analysis showed there was a detectable expression of early developmental marker of lens fiber cells differentiation in experimental group.

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  Background & Objectives: Stem cells are fundamental supporter of multicellular tissue. They allow blood, bone, gametes, epithelia, nervous system, muscle, and other tissues to be replaced by fresh cells throughout life. In recent years human Wharton’s jelly stem cells (WJSCs) have gained attention. They express a number of surface markers characteristic of mesenchymal stem cells. In this study, human Wharton’s jelly stem cells were isolated using explant method. To show the stemness property of these cells, three CD markers including CD105, CD44 and CD34 were tested.

  Methods: The umbilical cord samples were collected by Caesarian section at Arta Hospital in Ardabil. Cords were transferred in sterile conditions and stem cells were isolated using explant method. After log phase, cells were passaged then growth characteristics and CD105, CD44 and CD34 markers investigated by RT-PCR.

  Results: Separation of human Wharton’s jelly stem cells were started after 7 days. WJSCs in culture revealed two distinct cell population named Type 1 and Type 2. RT-PCR results showed that WJSCs were CD105⁺, CD44⁺ and CD34^-.

  Conclusion: Human umbilical cord stem cells could be an alternative source instead bone marrow stem cells for cell therapy and tissue engineering. These cells have a fibroblastic appearance. Following the lag phase and into log phase respectively, cells grow easily in culture and retain stemness properties in higher passages.

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  Background & objectives: Adult stem cells are undifferentiated cells that replace dead or injured cells. There are adult stem cells in some regions of human tissues and hair follicle is one of the tissues that have adult stem cell source and these cells have an important role in hair life cycle. In this study, we investigated the isolation of hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) and expression of mesenchymal stem cell markers on the isolated cells.

  Methods : Human hair follicles obtained from men scalp tissue by micro punch technique. Hair follicles isolated and cultured in culture flasks in DMEM-F12 + FBS. After outgrowth of stem cells from hair bulges, they analyzed by flow cytometry for detection of stem cell markers.

  Results: 23 to 27 days after isolation and culture of HFSCs in uncoated cell culture flasks, cell surface markers expression studied by flow cytometry. Flow cytometric analysis showed 25.26% Stro-1, 50.85% CD90, 45.24% CD105, 61.20% CD44, 8.20% CD45, 11.86% CD146, 2.72% CD106, 7.21% CD166 and 26.74% CD19 expression in HFSCs.

  Conclusion: In this study, isolated stem cells significantly expressed some of the mesenchymal stem cell markers higher than other markers. These markers give certain characteristics to HFSCs, and introduce the cells as an alternative option for cell therapy, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

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Background & objectives: According to importance of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in production of different cell lines, transplantation of these cells are used for treatment of many different diseases during cell therapy. Viability and proliferation of these cells after transplantation are very important. Since infertility is as public health problem in men and women, the scientists attempt to produce germ cells from differentiation of stem cells. It is supposed to use these cells for treatment of different illnesses especially for men with lack of germ cells in testes in future. However, in using stem cells for cell therapy the culture medium should be designed to increase the number of cells and efficiency of transplantation and to guarantee the health of the cells in terms of DNA damage. This study designed a suitable culture medium in order to increase the number of colonies and decrease the cell injuries.

Methods: In this study mesenchymal stem cells isolated from bone marrow of mice and exposed to retinoic acid (RA) with concentration of 10^-6 M and Sertoli cells condition medium. Since mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) produce fibroblastic colonies so the number of colonies was counted every 3 days after culture (days of 2, 5, 8, 11, and 15) under inverted microscope. The staining of ethidium bromide-acridine orange was also done for determination of apoptotic nucleus in days of 10 and 15 after culture.

Results: The results showed that the effects of retinoic acid on grow and viability of MSCs is related to the time. It seems that RA increased the proliferation of the cells and the number of colonies increased in low time but the apoptotic cells elevated with increasing the time of culture. Condition medium of Sertoli cells also increased the proliferation of bone marrow stem cells.

Conclusion: According to proliferative properties of condition medium, it seems that using condition medium together with RA is better than RA alone for differentiation of MSCs to germ cells.

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Background & objectives: Mesenchymal stem cells have been known as hypo-immunogenic and immunosuppressive cells. Exposure of mesenchymal stem cells to interferon γ (IFN-γ) may influence their immunomodulatory properties. In the present study, the expression level of adenosine producing CD39 and CD73 ectonucleotides as an immunosuppressant were evaluated in Wharton’s Jelly- derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (WJ-MSCs) in the presence and absence of IFN-g.
Methods: In this experimental study, MSCs were isolated, cultured, and propagated from Wharton's jelly obtained from human umbilical cord. The phenotypic characterization of these cells was performed via analysis of their surface markers using flow cytometry. Then, the cultured mesenchymal stem cells were treated with IFN-g. After 24 hours, the expression levels of CD39 and CD73 genes were analyzed using qPCR in control and IFN-g-treated cells.
Results: Flow cytometric analysis of stem cells revealed morphological similarity to fibroblastic cells and expression of CD105 and CD73 markers in these cells. The results of qPCR showed that the expression level of CD39 was significantly increased in IFN-g-treated cells compared to non-treated cells, while there was no significant difference in CD73 expression level between control and IFN-g - treated cells.
Conclusion: The results indicated the possible role of IFN-g in development of the immunoregulatory capacity of mesenchymal stem cells through expression of target genes. However this should be studied precisely.

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Background & objectives: Low immunogenicity and targeted migration of mesenchymal stem cells to inflammatory sites have introduced these cells as the best vehicle for the delivery of gene or therapeutic products. Lentiviral vectors can be used as an efficient vehicle for inserting ectopic genes into stem cells. Therefore, the evaluation of the effect of lentiviral vectors on the identity, behavior and functional characteristics of the stem cells can show that vectors are safe tools in cell manipulation and gene therapy.
Methods: At first, three vectors of lentivirus were added to HEK-293T cells using calcium phosphate method. After confirming the expression of GFP protein in more than 80% of HEK-293T cells, viral supernatant was collected and concentrated. Human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hASCs) were transduced with condensed viruses. After the elimination of the non-transduced cells by puromycin, transduced hASCs were evaluated for immunophenotyping and differentiation to adipocyte and osteocyte. Behavioral characteristics such as viability, migration and invasion were analyzed using MTT and transwell methods, respectively.
Results: In the current study, there was no significant difference in the expression of CD29, CD34, CD73 and differentiation to adipocyte and osteocyte in the test group when compared to the control group. Moreover, there was no significant difference between two study groups in the behavioral characteristics such as proliferation, invasion and migration.
Discussion: The findings of this study declare that lentiviral vectors do not have adverse effects on the identity and functional characteristics of stem cells. Therefore, they can be used in gene manipulation of the target cell.
 

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Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) refers to the loss of ovarian function before the age of 40. This condition can be attributed to various factors including X chromosome abnormalities, autoimmune disorders, and chemotherapy drugs. Hormone therapy is a commonly used treatment for POI, but due to side effects and low fertility rates, alternative treatment options are needed. In recent years, stem cell transplantation has emerged as a promising treatment approach, offering hope for improving and restoring ovarian function. Stem cells possess the unique ability of self-renewal and regeneration, making them potentially effective in addressing ovarian failure and subsequent infertility. Different types of stem cells have been investigated for the treatment of POI, including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), stem cells from extraembryonic tissues, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and ovarian stem cells. This article aims to provide an overview of the causes and treatment options for Premature Ovarian Insufficiency, with a particular focus on stem cell therapy as suggested by previous studies.
 Corresponding Author: Hossein Kalarestaghy,  Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran.
Email: h.kalarestaghy111@gmail.com
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