In vitro growth of human umbilical blood mesenchymal stem cells and their differentiation into chondrocytes and osteoblasts.

Conditions for culturing and differentiation of human umbilical blood mononuclear cells in vitro were studied. The growth of mesenchymal stem cells was attained in 31 of 54 (57.4%) umbilical blood samples and morphological and immunophenotypical authenticity of these cells was confirmed. Stimulatory effects of 20% AB(IV) human serum and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) on the growth of mesenchymal stem cells were demonstrated. Osteogenic cells formed in the presence of differentiation factors ascorbic acid, dexamethasone, and beta-glycerophosphate, while chondrogenic cells developed in the presence of dexamethasone, ascorbic acid, and TGF-beta. Differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells was confirmed by histochemical and molecular genetic tests.