Bone Marrow Side Population Cells Research Articles

Abcg2-Expressing cells fuse with existing cardiomyocytes

Cardiac side population cells (cSPCs) were the first group of progenitor cells identified in the heart; however, their progenitor cell properties have only been established in cell culture and after transplantation. To determine whether cSPCs possess progenitor cell properties in vivo, we generated an Abcg2-driven, lineage-tracing mouse model. In this model, 75.8 ± 10.87% of cSPCs are labeled with GFP. Over a four-week chase period, there is a five-fold increase in cardiomyocyte-labeling from 0.17 ± 0.15% to 0.84 ± 0.24%. Surprisingly, 90.7 ± 2.66% of labeled cardiomyocytes arise from fusion events and not direct differentiation from cSPCs based on labeling in Abgc2MCM/+ R26mTmG/+ mice. Given the extensive labeling of bone marrow and endothelial cells in our model, we hypothesized that the increase in cardiomyocyte labeling over the four-week chase period arises from fusion of unlabeled cardiomyocytes with GFP-labeled bone marrow cells or endothelial cells. To test this hypothesis, we irradiated Myh7Cre/+ R26tdTomato/+ mice, transplanted them with hematopoietic stem (LSK) cells isolated from Abgc2MCM/+ R26GFP/+ and pulsed them with tamoxifen. At the end of a four-week chase period, a similar percentage of bone marrow side population cells, LSK cells and differentiated lineages were labeled with GFP. More importantly, only 0.02 ± 0.03% of cardiomyocytes were labeled with both GFP and tdTomato. No cardiomyocytes were labeled with only GFP. Next, we evaluated whether fusion with endothelial cells could account for the increase in cardiomyocyte labeling we observed. Using an endothelial-specific, lineage-tracing mouse model, Cdh5CreER/+ R26mTmG/+, we found no cardiomyocytes labeled at the end of a four-week chase period. Our results demonstrate that the primary mechanism of cardiomyocyte labeling in our Abcg2-driven, lineage-tracing mouse model arises from fusion of cardiomyocytes with lineage-traced cells, but not with bone marrow or endothelial cells. These results indicate that fusion in the heart may occur at much higher rates than previously assumed, and may play important roles in homeostatic maintenance of cardiac function.

Abstract 218: Cardiac Side Population Cells Give Rise to Cardiomyocytes in the Adult Heart

Therapies that enhance cardiac regeneration have the potential to improve heart failure outcomes. One strategy to enhance cardiac regeneration is by activating endogenous cardiac progenitor cells. Cardiac side population cells (cSPCs) are proposed progenitor cells that reside in the heart; however, their putative progenitor cell properties are based on cell culture data and transplantation studies performed with isolated cSPCs. To determine the endogenous regenerative potential of cSPCs in vivo , we generated a mouse model that harbors an Abcg2-driven, tamoxifen-inducible Cre recombinase and crossed it to a GFP reporter mice. One month after tamoxifen treatment, we obtained efficient GFP-labeling of side population cells with 47.0 ± 11.05% of bone marrow side population cells and 75.8 ± 10.87% of cSPCs. Importantly, during a one-month chase period, we observed a three-fold increase in GFP-labeled cardiomyocytes when compared to a 1-week chase period. We quantified the extent of GFP-labeling of cardiomyocytes using adult cardiomyocyte isolation, where we measured 0.8% GFP labeled cardiomyocytes after a one-month chase period. We also observed labeling of many other cell types in the heart, such as endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and pericytes. We are currently testing to what extent cardiac injury enhances cSPC derived cardiomyocyte formation. Using our mouse model that efficiently labels side population cells in vivo , we demonstrated that cSPCs contribute cardiomyocytes in the adult heart in vivo .

Side Population Cells derived from Dental Pulp and Dental Germ have Distinct Surface Markers compared to Bone Marrow Side Population Cells

Side Population Cells derived from Dental Pulp and Dental Germ have Distinct Surface Markers compared to Bone Marrow Side Population Cells

Growth of bone marrow and skeletal muscle side population stem cells in suspension culture.

The ability to efficiently isolate and expand various stem cell populations in vitro is crucial for successful translation of cell-based therapies to the clinical setting. One such heterogeneous population that possesses a remarkable potential for the development of cell-based treatments for a variety of degenerative diseases and disorders is called the Side Population (SP). For many years, investigators have isolated these primitive cells based upon their ability to efflux the fluorophore Hoechst 33342. This attribute enabled separation of SP cells derived from multiple tissue sources from other endogenous cell populations using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). While all tissue-specific SP fractions appear to contain cells with multi-potent stem cell activity, the therapeutic utility of these cells has yet to be fully realized because of the scarcity of this fraction in vivo. In view of that, we developed a method to expand adult murine bone marrow and skeletal muscle-derived SP cells in vitro. Here, we describe a spinner-flask culture system that supports the growth of SP cells in suspension when they are combined with feeder cells cultured on spherical microcarriers. In this way, their distinguishing biological characteristics can be maintained, attachment-stimulated differentiation is avoided, and therapeutically relevant quantities of SP cells are generated. Modification of the described procedure may permit expansion of the SP from other relevant tissue sources and our method is amenable to establishing compliance with current good manufacturing practices.

Stem cell therapy: A role for CXCR4 in homing bone marrow side population cells to areas of myocardial damage

Stem cell therapy: A role for CXCR4 in homing bone marrow side population cells to areas of myocardial damage

A Novel Concentrating System of Chicken Stem Cells by Bone Marrow Side Population Cells

Numerous studies in mammalian species have recently been reported that many stem cells have an ability to efficiently efflux the vital DNA-binding dye Hoechst 33342, and it is called side population (SP) cells. However, few study have been reported on the avian SP cells. It could be possible that concentration of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in birds since the characteristic of SP cells should be shared in various tissues and species. In this study, we first attempted the isolation of SP cells from chicken bone marrow and the assessment by gene expression and morphologic analyses. Bone marrow cells (BMCs) were flushed from the femurs and tibias of chicks aged at 10 days with PBS. The BMCs were layered on lymphocyte separation medium and centrifuged for excluding the erythrocytes. The separated cells were adjusted to 106/ml in HBSS. Hoechst 33342 were added (1.25μg/ml) and incubated 60 to 90 minutes at 37°C. Propidium iodide was added (2μg/ml) to exclude dead cells. The SP cells were isolated with flow cytometer. The sorted cells were stained with May-Gruenwald Giemsa (MG) for morphological analysis and RNA was extracted for gene expression analysis. The avian SP cells which was vanished by addition verapamil counld be separated. The percentage of SP cells in chicken bone marrow was about 2.6%. The morphological analysis by MG staining indicated that the SP cells had a larger nuclear and little cytoplasm which were typical characterisation of mouse HSCs. The pattern of gene expressions (CD34, c-Kit, CD4 and CD8) in SP cells also resembled that of the mouse HSCs. These results suggested that the HSCs could be enriched from avian bone marrow cells. Together with these results, it was concluded that SP is one of powerful tools for concentration of avian stem cells.

Nectin-3 expression is elevated in limbal epithelial side population cells with strongly expressed stem cell markers

Corneal epithelial stem cells (CESCs) are essential for maintaining the ocular surface. However, the lack of surface markers for CESCs remains a serious obstacle in the identification of CESCs. Previously, we showed that rabbit limbal epithelial side population (rLE-SP) cells exhibited stem cell phenotypes including increased expression of CD61, a marker for mouse hematopoietic stem cells. Here, we demonstrate that nectin-3, an immunoglobulin-like cell–cell adhesion molecule, is highly expressed in rLE-SP cells. Additionally, nectin-3 + cells were significantly enriched among CD61 +rLE-SP cells as compared to CD61 −rLE-SP cells. In mouse bone marrow side population cells, a correlation between expression of nectin-3 and CD61 was also observed. These data strongly suggest that nectin-3 may contribute to the identification of CESCs.

Differential microRNA expression between bone marrow side population cells and hepatocytes in adult mice

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) can differentiate into many kinds of parenchymal cells populating several organs. Nevertheless, the differentiation mechanism of HSCs toward hepatocytes remains poorly understood. To identify specific microRNAs (miRNAs) contributing to the mechanism, we investigated the differential expression of miRNAs between side population (SP) cells of bone marrow and hepatocytes in adult mice. We used a miRNA microarray followed by stem-loop-mediated reverse transcription real-time PCR to identify 12 SP-specific and 2 hepatocyte-specific miRNAs. Of these, 3 (miR-451, -150 and -223) were strongly expressed (>10-fold relative enrichment) in SP cells. Two of these miRNAs (miR-451 and -223) were strongly associated with the hematic cell lineage but not with progenitor characteristics. Two-thirds (6/9) of the miRNAs that were moderately expressed in SP cells in comparison with hepatocytes were also up-regulated in potential hepatic stem cells (HSCEs). The single miRNA (miRNA-127) that was up-regulated in SP cells compared with lineage-positive bone marrow cells might be an SP marker, since it was markedly down-regulated in HSCEs. These results suggest that SP cells and HSCE share a common profile of miRNA expression and that miRNA-127 may contribute to the maintenance of a quiescent state in SP cells.

Identification of a Small Subpopulation of Candidate Leukemia-Initiating Cells in the Side Population of Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia

In acute myeloid leukemia (AML), apart from the CD34(+)CD38(-) compartment, the side population (SP) compartment contains leukemic stem cells (LSCs). We have previously shown that CD34(+)CD38(-) LSCs can be identified using stem cell-associated cell surface markers, including C-type lectin-like molecule-1 (CLL-1), and lineage markers, such as CD7, CD19, and CD56. A similar study was performed for AML SP to further characterize the SP cells with the aim of narrowing down the putatively very low stem cell fraction. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis of 48 bone marrow and peripheral blood samples at diagnosis showed SP cells in 41 of 48 cases that were partly or completely positive for the markers, including CD123. SP cells in normal bone marrow (NBM) were completely negative for markers, except CD123. Further analysis revealed that the SP fraction contains different subpopulations: (a) three small lymphoid subpopulations (with T-, B-, or natural killer-cell markers); (b) a differentiated myeloid population with high forward scatter (FSC(high)) and high sideward scatter (SSC(high)), high CD38 expression, and usually with aberrant marker expression; (c) a more primitive FSC(low)/SSC(low), CD38(low), marker-negative myeloid fraction; and (d) a more primitive FSC(low)/SSC(low), CD38(low), marker-positive myeloid fraction. NBM contained the first three populations, although the aberrant markers were absent in the second population. Suspension culture assay showed that FSC(low)/SSC(low) SP cells were highly enriched for primitive cells. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analyses showed that cytogenetically abnormal colonies originated from sorted marker positive cells, whereas the cytogenetically normal colonies originated from sorted marker-negative cells. In conclusion, AML SP cells could be discriminated from normal SP cells at diagnosis on the basis of expression of CLL-1 and lineage markers. This reveals the presence of a low-frequency (median, 0.0016%) SP subfraction as a likely candidate to be enriched for leukemia stem cells.

Stem Cell Based Therapy for Skeletal Muscle Diseases

The use of stem cells to repair and replace damaged skeletal muscle cells in chronic, debilitating muscle diseases such as the muscular dystrophies holds great promise. Different stem cell populations, both of embryonic and adult origin display the potential to generate skeletal muscle cells and have been studied in animal models of muscular dystrophy. These include muscle derived satellite cells; bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells, muscle or bone marrow side population cells, circulating CD133+ cells and cells derived from blood vessel walls such as mesoangioblasts or pericytes. The design of effective stem cell based therapies requires a detailed understanding of the molecules and signaling pathways which determine myogenic lineage commitment and differentiation. We discuss the great strides that have been made in delineating these pathways and how a better understanding of muscle stem cell biology has the potential to lead to more effective stem cell based therapies for skeletal muscle regeneration for devastating muscle diseases.

Bone marrow side population cells are enriched for progenitors capable of myogenic differentiation

Although the contribution of bone marrow-derived cells to regenerating skeletal muscle has been repeatedly documented, there remains considerable debate as to whether this incorporation is exclusively a result of inflammatory cell fusion to regenerating myofibers or whether certain populations of bone marrow-derived cells have the capacity to differentiate into muscle. The present study uses a dual-marker approach in which GFP(+) cells were intravenously transplanted into lethally irradiated beta-galactosidase(+) recipients to allow for simple determination of donor and host contribution to the muscle. FACS analysis of cardiotoxin-damaged muscle revealed that CD45(+) bone-marrow side-population (SP) cells, a group enriched in hematopoietic stem cells, can give rise to CD45(-)/Sca-1(+)/desmin(+) cells capable of myogenic differentiation. Moreover, after immunohistochemical examination of the muscles of both SP- and whole bone marrow-transplanted animals, we noted the presence of myofibers composed only of bone marrow-derived cells. Our findings suggest that a subpopulation of bone marrow SP cells contains precursor cells whose progeny have the potential to differentiate towards a muscle lineage and are capable of de novo myogenesis following transplantation and initiation of muscle repair via chemical damage.

Cardiac side population cells have a potential to migrate and differentiate into cardiomyocytes in vitro and in vivo

Side population (SP) cells, which can be identified by their ability to exclude Hoechst 33342 dye, are one of the candidates for somatic stem cells. Although bone marrow SP cells are known to be long-term repopulating hematopoietic stem cells, there is little information about the characteristics of cardiac SP cells (CSPs). When cultured CSPs from neonatal rat hearts were treated with oxytocin or trichostatin A, some CSPs expressed cardiac-specific genes and proteins and showed spontaneous beating. When green fluorescent protein–positive CSPs were intravenously infused into adult rats, many more (∼12-fold) CSPs were migrated and homed in injured heart than in normal heart. CSPs in injured heart differentiated into cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, or smooth muscle cells (4.4%, 6.7%, and 29% of total CSP-derived cells, respectively). These results suggest that CSPs are intrinsic cardiac stem cells and involved in the regeneration of diseased hearts.

The Use of Hoechst Staining To Identify Hematopoietic and Other Adult Stem Cells.

BACKGROUND: Hoechst staining has been used to identify hematopoietic stem cells, but it may also be useful in identifying other adult stem cells. Here we report our efforts to purify and characterize stem cells in the stromal vascular fraction of adipose tissue with Hoechst staining, also comparing our results with those of our studies using bone marrow.METHODS: Stromal vascular fractions (SVFs) of adipose tissue and whole bone marrow (BM) were harvested from C57BL/6N mice, as were stem cells. Then the cells were stained with Hoechst 33342 and analyzed by flow cytometry and the number of cells in the side population (SP) counted. Moreover, surface antigens of SP cells were analyzed by flow cytometry using antibodies against CD44, 45, 45R, Sca-1, and c-kit, respectively, for 30 min on ice. Finally, the morphologic characteristics of cells in the SP of both BM and SVF were observed using electron microscopy.RESULTS: The percentage of SP cells in BM was about 0.05 to 0.1% and that in the SVF was about 1.0 to 3.0%. The cell-surface antigens of BM expressed were CD44 (−), CD 45 (+), CD 45R (−), Sca-1 (+) and c-kit (+), while those of SVF were CD44 (−), CD 45 (−), CD 45R (+/−), Sca-1 (+/−) and c-kit (−). Upon electron microscopic observation, both BM and SVF cells in the SP were considered to be remarkably immature (immature cell organelles and a high N/C ratio).CONCLUSION: The rate and expression patterns of cell-surface antigens in SP cells derived from BM were consistent with the results of previous reports. However, the same characteristics in SP cells derived from SVFs were clearly different. At present it is not clear whether cells in the SP of SVFs are adipose-derived stem cells. Indications were that there are 10 to 60 times as many immature cells in adipose tissue as in bone marrow. Moreover, it is possible that the great majority of cells in the SP of SVFs are not hematopoietic stem cells but unique adipose-derived stem cells. Finally, our studies suggest that Hoechst staining may be useful for identifying not only hematopoietic stem cells but also other adult stem cells.

Kidney Side Population Reveals Multilineage Potential and Renal Functional Capacity but also Cellular Heterogeneity

Side population (SP) cells in the adult kidney are proposed to represent a progenitor population. However, the size, origin, phenotype, and potential of the kidney SP has been controversial. In this study, the SP fraction of embryonic and adult kidneys represented 0.1 to 0.2% of the total viable cell population. The immunophenotype and the expression profile of kidney SP cells was distinct from that of bone marrow SP cells, suggesting that they are a resident nonhematopoietic cell population. Affymetrix expression profiling implicated a role for Notch signaling in kidney SP cells and was used to identify markers of kidney SP. Localization by in situ hybridization confirmed a primarily proximal tubule location, supporting the existence of a tubular "niche," but also revealed considerable heterogeneity, including the presence of renal macrophages. Adult kidney SP cells demonstrated multilineage differentiation in vitro, whereas microinjection into mouse metanephroi showed that SP cells had a 3.5- to 13-fold greater potential to contribute to developing kidney than non-SP main population cells. However, although reintroduction of SP cells into an Adriamycin-nephropathy model reduced albuminuria:creatinine ratios, this was without significant tubular integration, suggesting a humoral role for SP cells in renal repair. The heterogeneity of the renal SP highlights the need for further fractionation to distinguish the cellular subpopulations that are responsible for the observed multilineage capacity and transdifferentiative and humoral activities.

Out of the blue: A comparison of Hoechst side population (SP) analysis of murine bone marrow using 325, 363 and 407 nm excitation sources

Background The discrimination of side population (SP) cells is a useful flow cytometric tool for the study of putative stem cells in many tissue types. Previous studies on murine bone marrow (BM) SP cells and concurrent surface immunophenotyping provide a good model for comparing Hoechst bivariate profiles. Here we compare the results of SP cells from the same specimens generated on three different instruments. Methods Concurrent SP analysis and immunophenotyping was performed on murine BM. The data acquisition was performed on a DakoCytomation MoFlo, a Becton Dickinson LSR and a Becton Dickinson FACSAria to compare the ability of each instrument to discriminate putative stem cells. Further experiments examined the effect of apoptotic changes, assessed by Annexin V binding, and the presence of nucleated erythroid precursors on the Hoechst profile. Results Identifiable and equivalent side populations were generated on all three instruments despite differences in appearance of the Hoechst profiles. Differences in laser type, collection filter combinations and the presence of erythroid precursors and apoptotic cells all contributed to this effect. Conclusions In our hands, murine SP cells with the expected surface immunophenotype can be identified on a MoFlo, LSR and a factory standard FACSAria.

Relationship between ABCG2 Expression and Side Population Stem Cell Phenotype in Murine Hematopoietic System Revealed by an Abcg2/GFP Knock-In Mouse Model.

Stem cells from a variety of tissues could be identified by a side population (SP) phenotype. We have identified an association between expression of the ABCG2 transporter and the SP phenotype, although the exact relationship between these two cellular characteristics is still not well understood. To further explore the relationship between Abcg2 expression and SP phenotype, we have generated a Abcg2/GFP reporter mouse model in which an IRES-GFP expression cassette was inserted down-stream of the stop codon of Abcg2 gene by homologous recombination, so that the expression of GFP is under the control of Abcg2 locus but endogenous Abcg2 expression was unperturbed. Immunohistochemistry of tissue sections using an anti-GFP antibody confirmed expression of GFP in tissues that normally express Abcg2, such as renal proximal tubules and intestinal epithelium. Flow cytometry analysis showed that about 10% of total bone marrow mononuclear cells expressed the Abcg2/GFP allele. Within this total GFP+ population, greater than 99% of the cells fall outside the SP region. Staining with lineage specific antibodies showed that 77% of the non-SP/GFP+ cells are Ter119+ erythroid cells. In contrast, only 0.5% of the total GFP+ population falls within the SP region. Approximately 90% of these bone marrow SP cells expressed the Abcg2/GFP allele. Transplantation studies with bone marrow cells that were depleted of lineage positive cells were then performed. All 5 mice transplanted with 100 Lin−, SP+, GFP+ cells were reconstituted in both myeloid and lymphoid lineages. In contrast, no repopulating activity was detected with up to 10,000 Lin−, non-SP, GFP− cells. When Lin−, non-SP, GFP+ cells were transplanted, only 2 of 5 animals were reconstituted with 5000 cells, and no repopulation was seen with lower cell doses. These results show a complex relationship between Abcg2 expression and the SP phenotype. Virtually all SP cells express the Abcg2/GFP allele, and these cells are highly enriched for repopulating activity in transplant assays. However, the majority of bone marrow cells that expressed the Abcg2/GFP allele were Ter119+ erythroid cells that do not bear the SP phenotype. In addition, there are non-SP, GFP+ cells that lack expression of Ter119 and other mature lineage markers. These Lin−, non-SP, GFP+ cells have relatively lower repopulating activity compared to SP cells.

Cardiac Progenitor Cells

See related article, pages 1090–1092 In the last few years we have witnessed one of most extraordinary revolutions in cardiovascular medicine, namely, an explosion of basic and clinical studies that support the notion that the diseased heart can be repaired by administration of stem cells, resulting in formation of functional new myocytes and vessels. Although the mechanism by which cell therapy improves cardiac function and anatomy remains uncertain, translation of basic findings to the clinical setting is proceeding at a feverish pace.1 A multitude of small, mostly nonrandomized clinical studies have reported improvement in cardiac perfusion and function after therapy with various cell types in patients with acute myocardial infarction or chronic ischemic cardiomyopathy.1 Larger, randomized, double-blinded studies will be reported soon; if they confirm the salubrious effects of cell-based therapies observed in the initial trials, our management of acute myocardial infarction and heart failure will change dramatically. One of the most important and unresolved issues in this scenario is the identity of the ideal cell for myocardial reconstitution. Although most of the clinical studies reported to date have used bone marrow– or skeletal muscle–derived cells, a host of other cells are being investigated in the experimental laboratory. Among these, resident cardiac stem cells (CSCs), discovered by Anversa’s group in 2003,2 hold great promise. In their initial report,2 Beltrami et al identified a lin−/c-kit+ population of primitive cells that can be clonally expanded, differentiates into cardiac myocytes, smooth muscle cells, and endothelial cells in vitro, and is able to reconstitute infarcted myocardium in vivo. It is of translational interest that these cells can effect cardiac repair when delivered via the intravascular route.3 CSCs have also been shown to be present in the human heart, where they give rise to new myocytes in patients with …

P57 Kip2 is expressed in quiescent mouse bone marrow side population cells

Hematopoietic stem cells can be accurately identified by the side population (SP) phenotype. It has been previously shown that hematopoietic stem cells are cell cycle arrested, but the mechanisms involved are currently poorly understood. In the present study, results from quantitative real-time RT-PCR show that while SP cells have increased expression of various cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases, the increased expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, in particular p57 Kip2, is responsible for the observed cell cycle arrest. In addition, gene expression analysis of c-kit +//Sca-1 +/Lineage − SP (KSL-SP) cells demonstrates that only p57 Kip2 shows both higher expression compared to both SP and non-SP cells. Furthermore, immunostaining also demonstrates significantly higher protein expression in KSL-SP cells. These results demonstrate that the maintenance of bone marrow SP cells in G0/G1 may be carefully controlled by p57 Kip2.

CD31 − but Not CD31 + Cardiac Side Population Cells Exhibit Functional Cardiomyogenic Differentiation

Heart failure remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. The cellular mechanism underlying the development of cardiac dysfunction is a decrease in the number of viable cardiomyocytes. Recent observations have suggested that the adult heart may contain a progenitor cell population. Side population (SP) cells, characterized by a distinct Hoechst dye efflux pattern, have been shown to exist in multiple tissues and are capable of tissue-specific differentiation. In this report, we confirm the existence of a cardiac SP cell population, immunophenotypically distinct from bone marrow SP cells. Moreover, we demonstrate that among cardiac SP cells, the greatest potential for cardiomyogenic differentiation is restricted to cells negative for CD31 expression and positive for stem cell antigen 1 (Sca1) expression (CD31-/Sca1+). Furthermore, we determine that CD31-/Sca1+ cardiac SP cells are capable of both biochemical and functional cardiomyogenic differentiation into mature cardiomyocytes, with expression of cardiomyocyte-specific transcription factors and contractile proteins, as well as stimulated cellular contraction and intracellular calcium transients indistinguishable from adult cardiomyocytes. We also determine the necessity of cell-extrinsic signaling through coupling, although not fusion, with adult cardiomyocytes in regulating cardiomyogenic differentiation of cardiac SP cells. We, therefore, conclude that CD31-/Sca1+ cardiac SP cells represent a distinct cardiac progenitor cell population, capable of cardiomyogenic differentiation into mature cardiomyocytes through a process mediated by cellular coupling with adult cardiomyocytes.

Long-Term Transgene Expression and Survival of Transgene-Expressing Grafts Following Lentivirus Transduction of Bone Marrow Side Population Cells

Successful transduction of hematopoietic stem cells is essential if gene therapy is to be used clinically to induce immunologic tolerance. Hoechst 33342 staining was used to isolate a population of bone marrow cells enriched for stem cells, termed side population (SP) cells. Murine bone marrow SP cells were transduced with HLA-A2.1-expressing VSV-G-pseudotyped lentivirus or retrovirus vectors under identical conditions. After transduction without prestimulating cytokines, which minimizes cell cycling and helps maintain stem cell pluripotency, the HLA-A2.1 gene was found in the DNA of 56% of CFU-GM colonies derived from lentivirus-transduced SP cells, but in only 4% of colonies derived from retrovirus-transduced SP cells. Lentivirus and retrovirus transduction including cytokine prestimulation produced the same degree of integration as that following lentivirus-transduction of non-prestimulated cells. Transplantation of 5,000 lentivirus-transduced SP cells into lethally irradiated mice resulted in long-term expression of the HLA-A2.1 transgene in peripheral blood progeny of bone marrow SP cells and prolonged skin graft survival across this class I MHC barrier until the time of animal sacrifice. Recombinant lentivirus, but not retrovirus vectors, effectively transduced SP cells that were not prestimulated with cytokines and lentivirus-transduced SP cells successfully repopulated lethally irradiated C57BL/6 mice, animals where there is no selective advantage to repopulation with transduced cells. Transplantation of a relatively small number of transduced SP cells led to prolonged transgene mRNA expression and antigen-specific survival of grafts expressing the foreign MHC transgene.