Characterization of porcine mesenchymal stromal cells and their proliferative and osteogenic potential in long-term culture

Abstract

Background: Porcine mesenchymal stromal cells (pMSCs) are considered a valuable research model for bone tissue engineering, which requires adequate amounts of viable cells with sufficient potential for osteogenic differentiation. For isolation and expansion of these cells through long-term culture, appropriate culture conditions are needed. Objective: To study the effect of extended in vitro cultivation on pMSC proliferation and differentiation potential using different osteogenic and adipogenic induction media. Methods: pMSCs were isolated from the bone marrow of adult Göttingen minipigs, cultured, expanded to passage 20 (~160 days) and characterized by their expression of cell surface markers (wCD44, CD45, CD90, SWC9, fibronectin), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and osteocalcin and their potential for osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation using different induction media. Results: pMSCs retained their capacity for proliferation and osteogenic differentiation, and the number of CD90-positive cells increased significantly over more than 60 population doublings. CD90 expression in uninduced cells correlated strongly with ALP expression following osteogenic induction. Medium enriched with calcium yielded a stronger osteogenic response. Conclusion: The selection of CD90-positive MSCs and adequate levels of calcium seem to enhance the osteogenic phenotype for bone tissue engineering.