Differentiation of Wharton's Jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells into insulin-producing beta cells with the enhanced functional level on electrospun PRP-PVP-PCL/PCL nanofibers scaffold

Abstract

Diabetes is a global problem that threatens human health. Cell therapy methods using stem cells and tissue engineering of pancreatic islets as new therapeutic approaches have increased the chances of successful diabetes treatment. In this study, to differentiate Whartons Jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) into insulin-producing cells (IPCs) with improved maturity and function, platelet-rich plasma (PRP)-Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-Polycaprolactone (PCL)/PCL nanofiber scaffold was designed and used. WJ-MSCs-derived IPCs on PRP-PVP-PCL/PCL scaffold took round cluster morphology, which is the typical morphology of pancreatic islets. Real-time PCR, immunocytochemistry, and flow cytometry data showed a significant increase in pancreatic marker genes and insulin in WJ-MSCs-derived IPCs on the PRP-PVP-PCL/PCL scaffold compared to the two-dimensional (2D) experimental group. Also, using the ELISA assay, a significant increase in the secretion of insulin and C-peptide was measured in the WJ-MSCs-derived IPCs of the three-dimensional (3D) experimental group compared to the 2D experimental group, which indicated a significant improvement in the functional level of the WJ-MSCs-derived IPCs in the 3D group. The results showed that the PRP-PVP-PCL/PCL scaffold can provide an ideal microenvironment for the engineering of pancreatic islets and the generation of IPCs.