The effects of chitosan nanofiber scaffold derived from Persian Gulf shrimp (Penaeus semisulcatus) shell on differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells to germ cells

In this study, differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to male germ cells was investigated on three-dimensional chitosan nanofibers. For this purpose, the chitosan nanofibers were prepared from chitin from a shell of Penaeus semisulcatus existing in the Persian Gulf by an electrostatic method and used as a three-dimensional environment with a specific pore diameter for culturing. The bone marrow MSCs were exposed to Sertoli cell condition medium and BMP4 was also added as an external factor. The stemness and differentiation of umbilical cord MSCs to germ cells was evaluated by expression of CD34, CD44, CD105 and some germ cell specific genes (Plzf, Stra8, Oct4 and Prm1) in control (without chitosan nanofiber) and experimental (3D culture system with chitosan nanofiber) groups 10 and 15 days after culture. The results showed that mesenchymal stem cells expressed CD105 and CD44 genes but were negative for CD34 as the hematopoietic marker. Chitosan scaffold seeded MSCs had the highest Stra8 induction. These observations can illuminate new horizons to development of germ cells using stem cells and nanofiber scaffold.