Obtaining Stem Cell Spheroids from Foreskin Tissue and the Effect of Corchorus olitorius L. on Spheroid Proliferation

Abstract

Objectives: Mesenchymal stem cells are self-renewing stem cells. The human foreskin has potential to be used as a source of stem cells. The aimof the study was to obtain spheroid formation of human foreskin cells (hnFSSCs) isolated from newborn human foreskin tissue. In addition, theapoptotic and proliferative effects of a traditional plant, Corchorus olitorius L. (C. olitorius), on hnFSSC spheroids were investigated.Materials and Methods: After a routine circumcision procedure the cells were isolated and cultured in suitable medium. The plant leaves wasextracted with ethanol and their composition was analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The foreskinstem cells were characterized immunocytochemically by CD45, CD34, and CD90 antibodies. hnFSSC spheroids were formed using the hangingdrop technique. Immunofluorescence staining was used on the obtained spheroids to determine the distribution of caspase-3 and Ki-67 after beingtreated with C. olitorius extract for 48 h.Results: Immunostaining analysis showed that hnFSSCs were positive for CD45 and CD34 and negative for CD90. According to LC-MS/MS C.olitorius was rich in flavanols and hydrocinnamic acid derivatives. Although the spheroids obtained were loose and floating, the cells interacted witheach other. Caspase-3 activity was higher in the control group than in the extract-treated group and Ki-67 was higher in the extract-treated groupthan in the control group, suggesting that the plant might have the capacity to increase stem cell proliferation due to its rich polyphenolic content.Conclusion: The results suggest that hnFSSCs and spheroids might be used in stem cell generation, tissue repair and renewal as human foreskintissue has potential to be used as a stem cell source. C. olitorius also increased proliferation of hnFSSCs, showing that polyphenols might increaseproliferation of stem cells.