Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) increasingly gain attention for clinical cell therapy of liver diseases because of their low immunogenicity. Cells might be isolated from bone marrow and differentiated into hepatocyte-like cells. Cells are available from bone marrow aspiration of the Os coxae by puncture of the Crista iliaca or from bone marrow “surgical waste” as available from amputations or knee- and hip operations. Thus, the aim of the study was to demonstrate whether pBM-MSC from bone marrow after puncture of the Crista iliaca or from bone marrow of the femur displayed differences in their mesenchymal features and hepatocyte differentiation potential.

MSC were isolated either from Crista iliaca punctures or after sampling and collagenase digestion of bone marrow from the Os femoris. Mesenchymal features were assessed by flow cytometric analyses of specific surface antigens and the ability to differentiate into at least three different lineages. Functional properties such as urea or glycogen synthesis and cytochrome P450 activity as well as the morphology of the cells were compared during hepatocyte differentiation.

pBM-MSC from both sources lack the hematopoietic markers CD14 and CD45 but express the typical mesenchymal markers CD44, CD29, CD90 and CD105. Both cell types could be differentiated into the adipocyte, osteocyte and hepatocyte lineage. After hepatocyte differentiation, the expression of CD105 decreased significantly and cells changed morphology from fibroblastoid into polygonal. Glycogen storage, urea synthesis and cytochrome activity were significantly elevated.

pBM-MSC from various sources are equal in respect to their mesenchymal features and their hepatocyte differentiation potential. Hence, long bones might be particularly useful to isolate bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell transplants.

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