Abstract
BackgroundAdipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) have been introduced as an alternative to bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) for cell-based therapy. However, different studies comparing ASCs and BMSCs have shown conflicting results. In fact, harvesting ASCs and BMSCs from different individuals might influence the results, making comparison difficult. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize donor-matched ASCs and BMSCs in order to investigate proliferation, differentiation potential and possible effects of donor variation on these mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).MethodsHuman bone marrow and adipose tissue samples were obtained from nine donors aged 8–14. ASCs and BMSCs were isolated and characterized based on expression of surface markers using flow cytometry. The proliferation up to 21 days was investigated. Multi-lineage differentiation was induced using osteogenic, chondrogenic and adipogenic differentiation media. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was monitored and collagen type I formation was evaluated by immunofluorescence staining. In vitro multi-potency was studied using tissue-specific stains and lineage-specific gene expression. In addition, the osteogenic lineage was evaluated at protein level.ResultsIsolated ASCs and BMSCs from all donors demonstrated morphologic and immunophenotypic characteristics of MSCs, with expression of MSCs markers and negative expression of hematopoietic markers. Unlike BMSCs, ASCs showed high expression of CD49d and low expression of Stro-1. In general, ASCs showed significantly higher proliferation and adipogenic capacity with more lipid vesicle formation and expression of the adipogenesis-related genes than BMSCs. In contrast, BMSCs showed significantly higher osteogenic and chondrogenic capacity compared to ASCs. BMSCs had earlier and higher ALP activity, calcium deposition, and expression of the osteogenesis- and chondrogenesis-related genes and the osteogenesis-related protein osteopontin. Proliferation and differentiation capacity of ASCs and BMSCs varied significantly among the donors.ConclusionsASCs and BMSCs showed tissue-specific differentiation abilities, but with significant variation between donors. The similarities and differences in the properties of ASCs and BMSCs should be taken into consideration when planning stem cell-based therapy.
Highlights
Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) have been introduced as an alternative to bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) for cell-based therapy
The stem cell markers CD73, CD90, and CD105 were generally highly expressed (> 90%) in ASCs and BMSCs, but the expression of these markers was less than 90% in ASCs in two of nine donors and in BMSCs in one of nine donors
There was a significant difference in the expression of Stro-1 in favor of BMSCs compared to ASCs (p < 0.05), but ASCs in one of nine donor demonstrated higher expression and the expression was almost similar in three of nine donors (Fig. 1b-d)
Summary
Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) have been introduced as an alternative to bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) for cell-based therapy. Stem cell-based therapy has emerged as an alternative strategy in bone tissue engineering to overcome the limitations of autologous bone grafting. These limitations include donor site morbidity, risk of infection, nerve damage and hemorrhage [1]. BMSCs were reported to show signs of senescence, early during expansion [6] These issues have caused scientists to direct their efforts toward investigating alternative and comparable sources for MSCs. Abundant numbers of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) have been reported to be isolated from adipose tissue by a minimally invasive procedure [7]. The proliferation and differentiation capacity into different mesenchymal lineages make ASCs a promising less-invasive alternative to BMSCs for cell-based therapeutic applications [17, 18]
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