Mesenchymal Stem Cells Harvested from Vertebral Body and Iliac Crest Bone Marrow: Are They Equally Good? Comparison of Two Tissues and Two Harvesting Techniques

Abstract

Introduction/ObjectivesClinical applications of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) harvested from bone marrow (BM) are well established. Iliac crest (IC) is considered to be the gold standard. Vertebral body (VB) BM represents an alternative source, promoting bone fusion in spinal operations. Existing literature, comparing ICBM and VBBM MSCs, presents limitations. Density gradient centrifugation (lymphoprep, Lmp) for BM processing is used, despite the known effectiveness on ICBM, of the red cell lysis technique (ammonium chloride, AC). This study compared the yield and differentiation capacities of MSCs in VBBM and ICBM, and evaluated the effectiveness of two harvesting procedures on both BM sources.Patient/MethodsEighteen patients undergoing idiopathic scoliosis surgery were recruited (median age 15.4 years, range 13–17). BM was aspirated intraoperatively from IC (10ml) and 12th thoracic vertebra (10ml). Aspirates were processed using AC and Lmp. MSCs were enumerated using standard CFU-F assay. Colony areas, ...