Analysis of stability of human urine derived stem cells during serial subcultures

This study was conducted to assess stabilities of the human urine derived stem cells (USCs) during serial subcultures to demonstrate clinical feasibility for future stem cell therapy. For this work, we compared to cell morphology, proliferation rate, immunophenotype, multi-lineage differentiation potentials and immunomodulatory effect of USCs. USCs maintained cell morphology, cell proliferation ability through serial culture (till passage 7). In immunophenotypical analysis, USCs revealed positive for embryonic/mesenchymal stem cell marker (stage specific embryonic antigen, SSEA4) and mesenchymal stem cell markers (CD44, CD73, CD90 and CD105), while negative for hematopoietic stem cell markers (CD34, CD45 and C-kit) and immunogenic marker (HLA-DR). The USC had multi-differentiation potencies into adipocytes and osteocytes, and these abilities maintained into passage 7. The immunomodulatory effect of USCs with phytohemagglutinin stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation was analyzed with two systems, co-culture or separated culture system. The peripheral blood mononuclear cells’ proliferation was effectively inhibited on both systems, and the value was more effective with co-culture system than separate one. The present study suggests that sequential sub-passages till passage 7 could maintain stem cell characteristics, multipotent properties, and immune suppressive effect of USCs which should be considered in their therapeutic application in regenerative medicine.