Multipotential hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow

It has been generally held that human hematopoietic stem cells are lineage-negative CD34⁺ CD38^?. However, murine hematopoietic stem cells were reported to be CD34^?. We have characterized the surface phenotypes of murine hematopoietic stem cells by using a murine transplantation model. Our studies revealed that the majority of the stem cells in normal adult mice are CD34^? while a minority (15%–20%) being CD34⁺. Our studies also revealed that stem cells that are activated by injection of 5-fluorouracil in vivo, exposure to cytokines in vitro, or mobilization by G-CSF are CD34⁺ and that CD34 expression is reversible. It has been reported that fetal murine hematopoietic stem cells are CD34⁺. Our studies revealed that stem cells of juvenile mice are CD34+ and that the developmental change from CD34⁺ to CD34^? state takes place between 7 and 10 weeks of age. In adult mice, expression of CD38 by steady-state and activated stem cells was completely reciprocal of CD34 expression. Activated stem cells and the minority population of the stem cells in the normal mice are CD34⁺ CD38^?. In contrast, the majority of stem cells in normal adult mice are CD34- CD38+. Recently, we studied CD38 expression by stem cells of neonatal and juvenile mice. Stem cells of newborn mice are CD38^?. About half of the stem cells of 5-week-old mice are CD38⁺. Finally, our studies indicated that some of the CD34⁺ stem cells in the bone marrow of normal adult mice express lineage markers such as Mac-1 and CD4. These studies in a murine model clearly documented that expression of both CD34 and CD38 by stem cells is under developmental control and may be subject to changes induced by activation of the stem cells. In order to test whether or not these principles apply to human stem cells we tested surface phenotypes of human stem cells using two xenotransplantation techniques. Studies based on human/sheep xenograft model indicated that a significant portion of adult human long-term engrafting cells are CD34^?. Similar to mouse stem cells expression of CD34 by human stem cells was reversible. Studies based on our newborn NOD/SCID/β-microglobulin^null mice indicated that human cord blood stem cells are CD34⁺ CD38^?. These results appear to support the validity of studies of murine stem cells to provide insight into human stem cells.     

骨髓间充质干细胞的培养及低氧条件对其影响

目的 骨髓间充质干细胞(BMMSC)的体外培养和低氧对于BMMSC增殖作用的影响.方法 成年雄性SD大鼠断颈处死后于75％酒精中浸泡5 min.用全骨髓贴壁法培养细胞,选取生长状态良好的第3代细胞进行鉴定.以单克隆抗体CD45、CD90行流式细胞术鉴定大鼠BMMSC.用四甲基偶氮唑蓝(MTT)法测定第3代BMMSC以及低氧处理的第3代BMMSC的增殖情况.结果 用全骨髓贴壁法分离并培养SD大鼠BMMSC;流式细胞仪检测显示:第3代BMMSC表面特异性标志CD90表达率为96.0％,而非BMMSC表面标志CD45仅为2.5％.MTT结果显示低氧条件下的BMMSC比常氧条件下增殖速率高,并且光镜下观察到细胞状态均一,折光性更好.结论 用全骨髓贴壁法可以在体外分离、培养出纯度较高的SD大鼠来源BMMSC,低氧环境可以刺激BMMSC的增殖.     

Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in vivo

Great confusion still exists amongst cell biologists, musculoskeletal and other specialists interested in regenerative medicine regarding the in vivo identity of human bone marrow (BM) mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Contrary to views held in some quarters, methods for the robust identification and purification of BM MSCs are now well established. Human BM MSCs represent a phenotypically homogeneous cell population that share an identical phenotype with marrow adventitial reticular cells (ARCs), which are stromal cells similar in nature to pericytes. When an extensive panel of markers is used to characterize BM MSCs, it appears that the diverse MSC markers described in different laboratories are expressed on the same cell population. Rare cell phenotypical analysis and in vitro colony forming unit-fibroblast (CFU-F) assays produce no compelling evidence that BM MSCs circulate in healthy man. Furthermore, although investigators speak of a number of specific MSC markers, a true marker of MSC 'stemness' and multipotentiality has not yet been defined since culture-expanded MSCs may lose some of these markers, but remain multipotential. This knowledge provides a platform for understanding MSCs in vivo leading to novel approaches for therapy development, including in situ tissue engineering.     

A randomised study of allogeneic transplantation with stem cells from blood or bone marrow

Sixty-one consecutive adult patients with leukaemia, primary myelofibrosis or myelodysplastic syndrome with an HLA-identical or one antigen mismatched family donor were randomised to allogeneic transplantation with PBPC or BM. Progenitor cells were mobilised into the blood by giving the donors 10 microg/kg/day G-CSF subcutaneously for 5-7 days. G-CSF was not given to patients after transplantation. The time to neutrophil counts >0.5 x 109/l was 17 days (95% CI 15.2-18.8 days) in the PBPC group compared to 23 (95% CI 20.3-25.7 days) in the BM group (P = 0.0005). The time to platelet counts >20 x 109/l was 13 days (95% CI 11.7-14.3 days) in the PBPC group and 21 days (95% CI 18.7-23.3 days) in the BM group (P = 0.0005). Acute GVHD of grades II-IV developed in six patients transplanted with PBPC and three patients transplanted with BM. The numbers of patients with chronic GVHD were 15 and 8, respectively. Transplant-related mortality and leukaemia-free survival showed no significant differences. Transplantation with PBPC appears preferable for the recipient due to faster neutrophil and platelet recovery. However, the final conclusion can not be drawn before long-term results on chronic GVHD and relapse incidence in longer randomised trials are available.     

Non-side-population hematopoietic stem cells in mouse bone marrow

Most hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are assumed to reside in the so-called side population (SP) in adult mouse bone marrow (BM). We report the coexistence of non-SP HSCs that do not significantly differ from SP HSCs in numbers, capacities, and cell-cycle states. When stained with Hoechst 33342 dye, the CD34(-/low) c-Kit(+)Sca-1(+)lineage marker(-) (CD34(-)KSL) cell population, highly enriched in mouse HSCs, was almost equally divided into the SP and the main population (MP) that represents non-SP cells. Competitive repopulation assays with single or 30 SP- or MP-CD34(-)KSL cells found similar degrees of repopulating activity and frequencies of repopulating cells for these populations. Secondary transplantation detected self-renewal capacity in both populations. SP analysis of BM cells from primary recipient mice suggested that the SP and MP phenotypes are interconvertible. Cell-cycle analyses revealed that CD34(-)KSL cells were in a quiescent state and showed uniform cell-cycle kinetics, regardless of whether they were in the SP or MP. Bcrp-1 expression was similarly detected in SP- and MP-CD34(-)KSL cells, suggesting that the SP phenotype is regulated not only by Bcrp-1, but also by other factors. The SP phenotype does not specify all HSCs; its identity with stem cell function thus is unlikely.     

Bone marrow stem cells and the liver: Are they relevant?

The contribution of bone marrow stem cell responses to liver homeostasis, injury and malignancy is discussed in this review. Pluripotent stem cells or their more committed progenitor progeny are essential to tissue development, regeneration and repair and are widely implicated in the pathogenesis of malignancy. Stem cell responses to injury are the focus of intense research efforts in the hope of future therapeutic manipulation. Stem cells occur within tissues, such as the liver, or arise from extrahepatic sites, in particular, the bone marrow. As the largest reservoir of stem cells in the adult, the bone marrow has been implicated in the stem cell response associated with liver injury. However, in liver injury, the relative contribution of bone marrow stem cells compared to intrahepatic progenitor responses is poorly characterized. Intrahepatic progenitor responses have been recently reviewed elsewhere. In this review, we have summarized liver-specific extrahepatic stem cell responses originating from the bone marrow. The physiological relevance of bone marrow stem cell responses to adult liver homeostasis, injury and malignancy is discussed with emphasis on mechanisms of bone marrow stem cell recruitment to sites of liver injury and its contribution to intrahepatic malignancy.     

SSEA-4 identifies mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow

Adult bone marrow (BM) contains hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) as well as a nonhematopoietic, stromal cell population. Within this stromal population are mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which not only support hematopoiesis but also differentiate into multiple lineages, including fat, bone, and cartilage. Because of this multipotentiality, the MSC is an attractive candidate for clinical applications to repair or regenerate damaged tissues of mesenchymal origin. However, research progress has been hampered by the limited existing knowledge of the biology of these cells, particularly by the lack of a suitable marker for their prospective isolation. Here, we report that SSEA-4, an early embryonic glycolipid antigen commonly used as a marker for undifferentiated pluripotent human embryonic stem cells and cleavage to blastocyst stage embryos, also identifies the adult mesenchymal stem cell population.     

Mesenchymal stem cells obtained after bone marrow transplantation or peripheral blood stem cell transplantation originate from host tissue

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) obtained from human bone marrow have been described as adult stem cells with the ability of extensive self-renewal and clonal expansion, as well as the capacity to differentiate into various tissue types and to modulate the immune system. Some data indicate that leukapheresis products may also contain non-hematopoietic stem cells, as they occur in whole bone marrow transplantation (BMT). However, there is still controversy whether MSC expand in the host after transplantation like blood progenitor cells do. Therefore, we were interested in finding out if graft MSC can be detected in leukapheresis products and in bone marrow after BMT and peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT). Every sample from total bone marrow transplants exhibited growth of MSC after in vitro culture, but not one of nine leukapheresis products did. In addition, bone marrow aspirates of 9 patients receiving BMT and of 18 patients after PBSCT were examined for origin of MSC. Almost all MSC samples exhibited a complete host profile, whereas peripheral blood cells were of donor origin. We conclude that even if trace amounts of MSC are co-transplanted during PBSCT or BMT, they do not expand significantly in the host bone marrow.     

永生化骨髓间充质干细胞的生物学特性

目的:探讨永生化骨髓问充质干细胞(bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.BMSCs)的生物学特性.方法:通过质粒pCMVSV40T/PUR导入大鼠BMSCs,建立永生化BMSCs.在倒置显微镜下观察细胞形态;采用检测碱性磷酸酶的活性,了解永生化BMSCs是否可分化为成骨细胞;采用裸鼠皮下接种实验检测细胞的致瘤性;应用不同血清浓度进行细胞培养及冻存,描绘其生长曲线及复苏后的活性.结果:未导入质粒的BMSCs培养至15代后细胞不能继续传代,呈明显衰老迹象,而永生化BMSCs培养至5代后仍可保持较好的活性,但具有明显接触抑制;永生化BMSCs具有分化为成骨细胞的能力:裸鼠接种后无致瘤性;与其他血清浓度相比,20%血清培养组的细胞生长速度较快;50%及90%血清组其复苏后较20%血清组活性高(P<0.05).结论:在体外,pCMVSV40T/PUR构建的永生化BMSCs具有活性较好等特性,且无成瘤性.可为BMSCs的研究及应用提供大量的细胞来源.     

Senescence of hematopoietic stem cells and bone marrow failure

Functional failure in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) may bring fatal consequences because HSCs are the ultimate source of mature blood cells, which need continuous replenishment. One potential cause of HSC dysfunction is senescence, in which HSCs and progenitor cells enter a state of proliferative arrest. HSC senescence is genetically regulated and one particular regulator is the telomerase gene. Mutations in the telomerase gene complex have been found in patients with bone marrow failure syndromes. During a normal lifetime, HSC clones function over the long term and may not show any functional loss under normal circumstances. However, pathologic environments may limit HSC proliferation, accelerate HSC turnover, and shorten the functional life of HSCs, leading to HSC clonal exhaustion and senescence.     

骨髓干细胞在肝纤维化中的作用

近年来,对骨髓干细胞向肝细胞分化,并对肝纤维化的治疗作用的研究日益增多.随着研究的不断深入有研究者也对这个观点提出反对意见,认为骨髓干细胞没有这种能力,同时还有一些研究者提出骨髓干细胞可以分化成为星状细胞或者成纤维细胞,从而参与肝纤维化的发生.本文将骨髓干细胞在肝纤维化中的作用作一阐述.     

细胞接触诱导骨髓间充质干细胞获得窦房结细胞表型的初步研究

目的 通过建立体外骨髓间充质干细胞(BMSCs)与纯化培养的乳鼠窦房结细胞共培养体系,探讨窦房结微环境对BMSCs分化的诱导作用.方法 自新生乳鼠的心脏分离窦房结细胞,并差速贴壁纯化培养,免疫荧光检测超极化激活环核苷酸门控阳离子通道基因4(HCN4)和缝隙连接蛋白45(Cx45)的表达.自成年大鼠的骨髓分离BMSCs,传2代后,用脂质体介导pEGFP-N1转染标记BMSCs,再与纯化培养的窦房结细胞以1:5比例进行直接接触共培养,并用窦房结细胞条件培养液对转染后的BMSCs进行培养作为对照.1周后应用免疫荧光检测BMSCs的HCN4和Cx45表达.结果 接触共培养组中,可见部分表达绿色荧光蛋白的BMSCs同时表达HCN4和Cx45,而条件液培养组中未见HCN4和Cx45的表达.结论 直接接触共培养体系可诱导BMSCs初步分化为窦房结样细胞.     

Effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on the proliferation of bone marrow CD34~+ cells in vitro

Objective To investigate the effect on the marrow CD34+ cells by bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMMSC),VarioMACS was used to sort bone marrow CD34+ cells,and then the purity of CD34+ cell was tested by FCM. Marrow mononuclear cells from abortion fetal bone marrow were isolated,and BMMSC were     

Fetal bone marrow as a source of stem cells for in utero or postnatal transplantation

We examined the potential of human fetal bone marrow (FBM) as a source of haematopoietic stem cells for transplantation. The median number of cells obtained between 20 and 24 weeks' gestation was 1.9 x 109 and a median 1.17 x 108 of these cells expressed CD34. Flow cytometry was also used to estimate the content of three different candidate stem cell populations in the tissues older than 20 weeks' gestation. A median 8.8 x 105 CD34++CD38- cells, 1.37 x 106 CD34++CD4+ cells and 2.20 x 106 CD34++CD90+ cells were detected. The content of colony-forming units culture (CFU-C) in the FBM ranged from 2.8 x 104 to 6.0 x 106 per fetus. The CFU-C content could be expanded 50-fold by culture for 1 week in serum-deprived medium and the growth factors kit ligand and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. Positive selection of FBM CD34+/++ cells was achieved using the Baxter Isolex 50 device. An average purity of 82% and yield of up to 19% of CD34+/++ cells was achieved. T cells were depleted by 99.84%. Analysis of candidate stem cell populations and primitive CFU-C suggested a preferential enrichment of these cells over the total population of CD34+/++ cells. All FBM samples were found to be free of microbial contamination at the time of harvest and after selection of CD34+/++ cells. Thus, FBM is a safe source of stem cells. The large number of progenitors and candidate stem cells that can be obtained from FBM makes it suitable for in utero and possibly postnatal transplantation.     

JAM-B regulates maintenance of hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow

In adult mammals, hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) reside in the bone marrow (BM) and are maintained in a quiescent and undifferentiated state through adhesive interactions with specialized microenvironmental niches. Although junctional adhesion molecule-C (JAM-C) is expressed by HSCs, its function in adult hematopoiesis remains elusive. Here, we show that HSCs adhere to JAM-B expressed by BM stromal cells in a JAM-C dependent manner. The interaction regulates the interplay between HSCs and BM stromal cells as illustrated by the decreased pool of quiescent HSCs observed in jam-b deficient mice. We further show that this is probably because of alterations of BM stromal compartments and changes in SDF-1α BM content in jam-b(-/-) mice, suggesting that JAM-B is an active player in the maintenance of the BM stromal microenvironment.     

Irradiation induces bone injury by damaging bone marrow microenvironment for stem cells

Radiation therapy can result in bone injury with the development of fractures and often can lead to delayed and nonunion of bone. There is no prevention or treatment for irradiation-induced bone injury. We irradiated the distal half of the mouse left femur to study the mechanism of irradiation-induced bone injury and found that no mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were detected in irradiated distal femora or nonirradiated proximal femora. The MSCs in the circulation doubled at 1 week and increased fourfold after 4 wk of irradiation. The number of MSCs in the proximal femur quickly recovered, but no recovery was observed in the distal femur. The levels of free radicals were increased threefold at 1 wk and remained at this high level for 4 wk in distal femora, whereas the levels were increased at 1 wk and returned to the basal level at 4 wk in nonirradiated proximal femur. Free radicals diffuse ipsilaterally to the proximal femur through bone medullary canal. The blood vessels in the distal femora were destroyed in angiographic images, but not in the proximal femora. The osteoclasts and osteoblasts were decreased in the distal femora after irradiation, but no changes were observed in the proximal femora. The total bone volumes were not affected in proximal and distal femora. Our data indicate that irradiation produces free radicals that adversely affect the survival of MSCs in both distal and proximal femora. Irradiation injury to the vasculatures and the microenvironment affect the niches for stem cells during the recovery period.