Characterization and Expression Analysis of Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Human Bone Marrow and Adipose Tissue

TLDR

Human mesenchymal stem cells are found in bone marrow, adipose tissue, and other tissues, and can differentiate into bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, and neuron lineages, making them promising for tissue engineering. The study compares the phenotypes and gene expression profiles of undifferentiated adipose tissue‑derived stromal cells with bone marrow stromal cells. ATSC were isolated from adult adipose tissue, expanded in monolayer, while BMSC were harvested from adult femur metaphysis, and both cell types were cultured under conditions that allow differentiation into osteogenic, adipogenic, and chondrogenic lineages. ATSC displayed marker profiles similar to BMSC, expressed CD29, CD44, CD90, CD105, lacked HLA‑DR and c‑kit, and exhibited superior proliferative capacity, with microarray revealing distinct gene expression patterns, indicating that although phenotypically similar, ATSC may offer advantages for tissue engineering.

Abstract

Human mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), that have been reported to be present in bone marrow, adipose tissues, dermis, muscles and peripheral blood, have the potential to differentiate along different lineages including those forming bone, cartilage, fat, muscle and neuron. This differentiation potential makes MSC excellent candidates for cell-based tissue engineering. In this study, we have examined phenotypes and gene expression profile of the human adipose tissue-derived stromal cells (ATSC) in the undifferentiated states, and compared with that of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC). ATSC were enzymatically released from adipose tissues from adult human donors and were expanded in monolayer with serial passages at confluence. BMSC were harvested from the metaphysis of adult human femur. Flowcytometric analysis showed that ATSC have a marker expression that is similar to that of BMSC. ATSC expressed CD29, CD44, CD90, CD105 and were absent for HLA-DR and c-kit expression. Under appropriate culture conditions, MSC were induced to differentiate to the osteoblast, adipocyte, and chondrogenic lineages. ATSC were superior to BMSC in respect to maintenance of proliferating ability, and microarray analysis of gene expression revealed differentially expressed genes between ATSC and BMSC. The proliferating ability and differentiation potential of ATSC were variable according to the culture condition. The similarities of the phenotypes and the gene expression profiles between ATSC and BMSC could have broad implications for human tissue engineering.