Gene Expression Profiles of Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Derived from Wharton’s Jelly and Amniotic Membrane before and after Osteo-Induction Using NanoString Platform
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
This manuscript is interesting but can be improved.
The osteogenic differentiation is not described or the time points at which the samples were analyzed.
Representative samples of the osteo differentiation should be shown that correlate with when the RNA expression was analyzed.
Minor - Some English can be improved as follows:
Abstract - overall I suggest removing the parentheses and including the genes in the sentences properly.
line 18 or differentiation signaling pathways.
Line 21 In addition, further evidence was demonstrated (don't use discrepancy here) in some signaling molecules...and downstream targets HES1 and JUN especially showed higher expression...
Introduction
line 34-35 This makes Mesenchymal stromal cells are an ideal source...[2]. could also add ref https://www.nature.com/articles/s41536-019-0083-6
line 41 Placenta is comprised of a variety of tissues including the amniotic...
line 46 is confusing. Do you mean...AM- or WJ-MSCs either alone or applied in conjuction with a biomaterial...
line 53 Nevertheless, addition of BMP2 was capable of
line 56 to find out the most suitable source of MSCs and their appropriate osteogenic state to treat...
line 59 Use Wnt not Wingless as wingless is only in Drosophila.
line 61 Wnt signaling is was evidently known to promote
line 62-63 combine these sentences for clarity. ...and fate determination in MSCs and has been shown to promote...
line 67 However, it is still lack there is still lacking a comparison on how of the genes...
line 71 ...intrinsic properties gene expression determining...
line 73 ...in regulating the characteristics and osteogenesis of undifferentiated and osteo-induced...
Methods - Osteo-induction is not adequately described. RNA extraction says 30,000 cells?? How many at time of RNA extraction?
NOTE-The levels of gene expression may be dependent on when the RNA is isolated and a single time point is not enough to describe changes in gene expression.
Discussion is very good but authors are utilizing a single time point for gene expression and the rate of change of RNA levels is not examined.
Author Response
Thank you very much for your constructive suggestions and comments. Our responses to your questions as attached.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
In my opinion, the authors should emphasize more the importance and innovation of the research carried out.
Images are not legible (especially after printing). I think the charts would be clearer if they were one below each other and not next.
In Section 2.5, Line 124, the authors are advised to add what housekeeping genes were used.
Author Response
Thank you very much for your comments. Our responses to your questions as attached.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 3 Report
This study was well designed to undercover potential differences in the gene expression profiles of stem cells from Wharton’s jelly and amniotic membrane samples under basal and osteoinduction conditions. Potentially important differences in the expression of genes were detected between the two stem cell types that could greatly aid in our understanding of signal pathways involved in mesenchymal cell differentiation in osteoinduction. The data presentation is effective and the tables generated very informative.
The discussion is well written and highlights the overall high significance of the research.
This reviewer has no particular comments for changes that should be addressed
Author Response
Thank you very much for your kind comments. We have performed a grammar check for the revised manuscript.
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
Manuscript is improved -no additional questions or comments
