induction of alpha-crystallins expression in umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells

purpose : our aim was to isolate mesenchymal stem cells (mscs) from mouse umbilical cord and culture them with vitreous body to investigate their capacity to differentiate into lens fiber cells, crystallins are expressed. methods : wharton's jelly is the appropriate source of mscs. after isolation, the cells were cultured and alkaline phosphatase detection kit was used for staining undifferentiated umbilical cord-mscs. in the experimental groups, mscs were plated in the maintenance medium supplemented with bovine vitreous body (1:1, 3:1 v/v) for induction up to 10 days. light microscopy and immunostaining methods used to assess differentiation of the cells. results : mouse umbilical cord-mscs have alkaline phosphatase activity and vitreous body can induce them to differentiate into the lens fiber cells. conclusion : lens fiber cells can be produced by umbilical cord-mscs derived from mouse. mscs have the potential to be useful source for stem cell researchers.    iranian journal of ophthalmology 201022(2):67-71 © 2010 by the iranian society of ophthalmology