Investigation of Isolating of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells From Umbilical Cord Blood and Labeling them with 99m Technetium

Tissue engineering through the imitation of nature has the ability to deal with the crisis caused by the shortage of donor organs and tissues. With regard to the ethical problems of extraction of embryonic stem cell, the present study investigated the isolation of mesenchymal stem cells from umbilical cord blood. Also investigated labeling of isolated stem cells with 99mTechnetium (99mTC). In this research we explore the Ficoll density gradient method. Then to prove the isolated cells are multipotent, we differentiated them into adipocyte and osteocyte. Flow cytometric analysis of CD34 and CD38 was performed to examine the expression of these specific markers. After labeling the cells, the efficiency is measured by TLC papers and gamma counter. The results showed that the umbilical cord blood can be introduced as an appropriate cell source due to easy availability, low cost and no risk to mother or baby. The isolated stem cells have high potency of proliferating and differentiating. Also measurement of labeling efficiency at different times indicates high absorption of these cells. due to the difficulties in the isolation of adult stem cells from tissues; cord blood is a reliable alternative source.