Effect of aging on the pluripotential capacity of human CD105+ mesenchymal stem cells.
BACKGROUND
Whether aging modifies mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) properties is unknown.


OBJECTIVE
To compare the differentiation capacity of human CD105(+) MSCs obtained from young and elderly donors.


RESULTS
Cells were obtained from young (n=10, 24+/-6.4 years) and elderly (n=9, 77+/-8.4 years) donors. Cell senescence was assessed by telomere length assays and lipofuscin accumulation. Cell pluripotentiality was analysed by adipogenic and osteogenic induction media, and myocyte phenotype was attempted with 5-azacytidine (5-AZ). Immunofluorescence, Western blot, transmission electron microscopy and fluo-4 confocal imaging were used to analyse the sarcomere, gap junctions and Ca(2+) dynamics. Cells obtained from young and elderly donors showed no significant differences in relative telomere length (40.1+/-6.4% and 40.3+/-3.6%, p=0.9) and lipofuscin accumulation. Adipogenic and osteogenic potential of CD105(+) MSCs was demonstrated. 5-AZ induced increased expression of sarcomeric proteins without complete sarcomere organization. Treated cells also showed increased presence of connexin-43 both in young and old donor-derived cells. Intercellular communications were verified by the observation of gap junctions and passage of Ca(2+) between neighbouring cells. Spontaneous Ca(2+) raises did not significantly increase after 5-AZ treatment in both age groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Age does not influence the adipogenic and myogenic differentiation potential of human CD105(+) MSCs.
Roura
Santiago
S
Laboratory of Cell Physiology, Cardiology Service, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, ICCC, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
Farré
Jordi
J
Soler-Botija
Carolina
C
Llach
Anna
A
Hove-Madsen
Leif
L
Cairó
Jordi J
JJ
Gòdia
Francesc
F
Cinca
Juan
J
Bayes-Genis
Antoni
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000097:blood*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D016922:Cellular Senescence / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000097:blood*; D016615:Telomere / Q000502:physiology*
D015703:Antigens, CD; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface