Impaired differentiation potential of human trabecular bone mesenchymal stromal cells from elderly patients.
OBJECTIVE
Advances in bone tissue engineering with mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) as an alternative to conventional orthopedic procedures has opened new horizons for the treatment of large bone defects. Bone marrow (BM) and trabecular bone are both sources of MSC. Regarding clinical use, we tested the potency of MSC from different sources.


METHODS
We obtained MSC from 17 donors (mean age 64.6 years) by extensive washing of trabecular bone from the femoral head and trochanter, as well as BM aspirates of the iliac crest and trochanter. The starting material was evaluated by histologic analysis and assessment of colony-forming unit-fibroblasts (CFU-F). The MSC populations were compared for proliferation and differentiation potential, at RNA and morphologic levels.


RESULTS
MSC proliferation potential and immunophenotype (expression of CD49a, CD73, CD90, CD105, CD146 and Stro-1) were similar whatever the starting material. However, the differentiation potential of MSC obtained by bone washing was impaired compared with aspiration; culture-amplified cells showed few Oil Red O-positive adipocytes and few mineralized areas and formed inconsistent Alcian blue-positive high-density micropellets after growth under adipogenic, osteogenic and chondrogenic conditions, respectively. MSC cultured with 1 ng/mL fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2) showed better differentiation potential.


CONCLUSIONS
Trabecular bone MSC from elderly patients is not good starting material for use in cell therapy for bone repair and regeneration, unless cultured in the presence of FGF-2.
Coipeau
Patrick
P
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University Hospital, Tours, France.
Rosset
Philippe
P
Langonne
Alain
A
Gaillard
Julien
J
Delorme
Bruno
B
Rico
Angélique
A
Domenech
Jorge
J
Charbord
Pierre
P
Sensebe
Luc
L
D050156:Adipogenesis; D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000473:pathology; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000166:cytology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010641:Phenotype; D013234:Stem Cells; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000166:cytology*