Expression of transcriptional factor genes (Oct-4, Nanog, and Sox-2) and embryonic stem cell-like characters in placental membrane of Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis).

The aim of the study was to assess the expression of transcriptional factor genes and embryonic stem cell-like characters in the placental membrane of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). Along with the placenta, amniotic fluid, maternal peripheral blood, and umbilical cord blood samples were taken for the future study. The isolation and culture of cells from the placental membrane was followed by the determination of RT-PCR-based markers (Oct-4, Nanog, Sox-2, alkaline phosphatase, stem cell factor, and Nestin) of these cells. Placental membrane cells also positively expressed alkaline phosphatase staining. We isolated adherent cells from trypsin-EDTA-digested placentas and examined these cells for morphology, surface markers, and differentiation potential and found that they expressed several stem cell markers. They also showed neurogenic and adipogenic differentiation potentials under appropriate guided conditions. We suggest that placenta-derived cells have multilineage differentiation potential similar to mesenchymal stem cells in terms of morphology and cell-surface antigen expression. The placenta may prove to be a useful source of mesenchymal stem cells.