Gene Expression Analysis of SOX2, NANOG, KLF4, OCT4, and REX1 Genes in Cord Blood Mononuclear Cells Treated with External Stresses

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCS) can be obtained from autologous cells for therapeutic purposes. So far, many studies have been done to produce induced pluripotent cells by transferring specific pluripotency genes using different methods. In this study, pluripotency genes expression induced by external stresses was assessed in cord blood mononuclear cells.
In this experimental study, mononuclear cells were isolated from umbilical cord blood. Isolated cells were divided to several groups. First group have been exposed to HCL (pH 5.7) for 25 minutes, and then transferred to the medium with normal pH. Second group was triturated with hamilton syringe for 15 min (external pressure) and the last group without treatment was considered as control. Then, total RNA was extracted on day 7. Gene expression of OCT4, SOX2, NANOG, REX1, and KLF4 was evaluated using qRT-PCR.
Gene expression of OCT4, NANOG, REX1, and KLF4 were increased after exposure to acidic pH and external pressure in comparison with control cells (P Exposure of umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells to acidic pH and external pressure lead to re-activate pluripotency genes in mature cells. These findings indicate that mature cells may be reprogrammed with manipulation of environmental conditions.