Induction of Alpha-Crystallins Expression in Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells

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.