Abstract: The method of isolation and culture of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) was established, and their biological characteristics and multi-differentiation potential were identified. Umbilical cord tissues from healthy maternal in full-term cesarean section were collected and primary culture was performed by tissue explants adherent method.The expression of cell surface markers and the pluripotent related genes were detected by flow cytometry and RT-PCR, respectively. Multi-differentiation capacity was identified by adipogenic, osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation. Results showed that a lot of cells were appeared around the umbilical cord tissue piece on the 14th day, the cells highly expressed mesenchymal stem cell surface markers CD44 and CD105, but negative for hematopoietic cell surface markers CD34 and CD45. Moreover, the cells also expressed pluripotent related genes Oct4 and Nanog. The cells potential to differentiate into adipocytes, osteocytesand chondrocytes was identified by tissue staining and RT-PCR. In conclusion, hUCMSCs can be proliferated and cultured in vitro, expressed pluripotent related genes.And they had the multi-directional differentiation potentiality and could be used as seed cells for tissue engineering.

Key words: umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells, primary culture, surface markers, pluripotent related genes, multi-differentiation