Transplanted mesenchymal stem cells are effective for skin regeneration in acute cutaneous wounds

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) possess the capacity for site-specific differentiation of cell types in response to cues provided by different organs. This phenomenon suggests that MSCs participate in cutaneous wound regeneration. However, there are no prior reports on the influence of the local application of MSCs on cutaneous wound regeneration. To examine the effects of MSCs on wound regeneration, we cultured bone marrow cells of the femur of rats and treated the plastic adherent cells with a differentiation medium to induce differentiation. After treatment, we found that the bone marrow-derived plastic adherent cells possessed myogenesis, chondrogenesis, and adipogenesis capabilities, indicating that these cells are MSCs. The bone marrow-derived plastic adherent cells were injected intradermally into the skin of rats, and linear full-thickness incisional wounds were made immediately through the injected area. At 14 days after operation, wounds transplanted with bone marrow-derived plastic adherent cells had healed with very fine scars. Collagen architecture was thick and appeared to be similar to normal dermis. Histomorphologic scale analysis demonstrated significant differences between the control and the wounds transplanted with bone marrow-derived plastic adherent cells. These results indicate that transplanted MSCs can respond quite normally to wound healing and regenerate dermal structure.     

不同来源成体骨髓间充质干细胞调控免疫功能的比较研究

目的 比较霍奇金淋巴瘤(HL)、非霍奇金淋巴瘤(NHL)患者与正常人骨髓间充质干细胞(MSC)的免疫调节能力.方法 获取正常人、HL和NHL患者的骨髓MSC,用低血清培养液进行培养.采用流式细胞仪检测骨髓MSC的免疫表型;应用酶联免疫吸附试验检测骨髓MSC培养上清液中转化生长因子β1(TGF-β1)的水平;采用Transwell培养体系检测骨髓MSC抑制T淋巴细胞增殖的能力;应用混合淋巴细胞反应检测骨髓MSC抑制异体T淋巴细胞增殖的能力.结果 正常人、HL和NHL患者骨髓间充质干细胞具有相似的细胞形态和免疫表型,均具有分泌TGF-β1的能力,均不表达HLA-DR和共刺激分子CD80、CD86和CD40.HL和NHL患者骨髓MSC具有抑制异体T淋巴细胞增殖的能力,这种抑制能力随着MSC细胞数量的增加而增强,并可以被抗TGF-β1抗体所逆转.体外诱导分化后的骨髓MSC仍然具有抑制异体T淋巴细胞增殖的能力.结论 HL和NHL患者骨髓MSC具有和正常成人骨髓MSC相同的免疫调控能力,这种抑制T淋巴细胞增殖的能力不随着其体外诱导分化而改变.     

Bone marrow cells in the repair and modulation of heart and blood vessels: emerging opportunities in native and engineered tissue and biomechanical materials

Adult bone marrow-derived stem/progenitor cells have traditionally been considered to be tissue-specific cells with limited capacity for differentiation. However, recent discoveries have generated tremendous excitement regarding possible applications of stem cells, particularly bone marrow-derived stem cells, in the treatment of human diseases. The potential ability to regenerate cells of various different lineages has raised the therapeutic possibility of using these bone marrow-derived stem cells as a source of cells for tissue repair and regeneration. Tissue engineering is a rapidly expanding interdisciplinary field aimed at restoring function to tissues through the delivery of constructs which become integrated into the patient. The use of bone marrow-derived stem cells provides a less invasive source for cells applicable to tissue engineering, including cardiovascular tissues such as heart valves, blood vessels, and myocardium. Although these strategies are in the early stages of development, they are conceptually promising and offer important insights into the future treatment of various cardiovascular ailments.     

肝内外干/祖细胞参与肝再生的研究进展

肝再生是指由损伤刺激(手术、创伤、中毒、感染、坏死等)引起的受损肝组织迅速增生使残肝体积增大,质量增加。根据肝损伤原因和损伤的程度肝再生可以主要分为3个不同的层次:肝细胞主导的肝再生、肝内干/祖细胞介导的肝再生和肝外干/祖细胞参与的肝再生。当肝脏受到轻至中度损伤时,肝脏再生通常由成熟的肝细胞所参与完成;当肝脏受到严重的损伤或肝细胞的增殖受到明显抑制时,肝干/祖细胞将参与肝再生过程。除了肝内干细胞参与作用外,肝外的骨髓来源干细胞,内皮祖细胞来源的干细胞均参与了肝再生,但其具体机制目前尚不明了。笔者就肝再生最新关注的焦点,尤其是干/祖细胞参与的肝再生和其潜在的临床应用进行综述。     

Human embryonic stem cell-derived CD34+ cells function as MSC progenitor cells

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) have been isolated from various tissues and utilized for an expanding number of therapies. The developmental pathways involved in producing MSCs and the phenotypic precursor/progenitor cells that give rise to human MSCs remain poorly defined. Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) have the capability to generate functional hemato-endothelial cells and other mesoderm lineage cells. hESC-derived CD73⁺ cells have been isolated and found to have similar phenotypic and functional characteristics as adult MSCs. Here we demonstrate hESC-derived CD34⁺CD73^? cells can serve as MSC progenitor cells with the ability to differentiate into adipocytes, osteoblasts and chondrocytes. Additionally, gene array analysis of hESC-derived MSCs show substantially different gene expression compared to bone marrow (BM)-derived MSCs, especially with increased expression of pluripotent and multipotent stem cell and endothelial cell-associated genes. The isolation of functional MSCs from hESC-derived CD34⁺CD73^? cells provides improved understanding of MSC development and utilization of pluripotent stem cells to produce MSCs suited for novel regenerative therapies.     

间充质干细胞移植治疗多器官功能不全综合征的研究

目的 观察骨髓间充质干细胞(mesenchymal stem cells,MSC)移植对多器官功能不全综合征(multiple organ dysfunction syndrome,MODS)的影响,探讨骨髓间充质干细胞用于多器官功能不全综合征治疗的应用前景.方法 建立性休克合并内毒素休克引起的官功能不全综合征模型.兔骨髓间充质干细胞体外扩增、鉴定、分化、慢病毒转基因标记GFP、静脉移植,通过PCR和病理切片观察MSCs对MODS兔的作用.结果 与对照组相比,模型移植组病理切片发现肝、肾、肺等脏器有慢病毒转基因标记有GFP的MSCs.结论 骨髓间充质干细胞具有良好的生物学活性,移植后通过整合能替代凋亡坏死细胞并对多器官功能不全综合征起到治疗作用.     

Neural differentiation and incorporation of bone marrow-derived multipotent adult progenitor cells after single cell transplantation into blastocyst stage mouse embryos

Previously we reported the characterization of multipotent adult progenitor cells (MAPCs) isolated from the bone marrow of rodents. In that study, single murine MAPCs derived from ROSA-26, beta-galactosidase (beta-Gal)-positive transgenic mice were injected into E3.5 C57/B16 mouse blastocysts. The resultant chimeric blastocysts were then implanted into pseudopregnant females and were allowed to develop naturally through birth and into adulthood. Chimeric mice were sacrificed 6 to 20 weeks after birth, and were processed for histological analysis. Beta-galactosidase activity was identified in all organs and tissues examined, and tissue-specific differentiation and engraftment was confirmed by colabeling with antibodies that recognize beta-Gal and tissue-specific markers. In the present study we have examined neural engraftment derived from the clonal expansion of a single MAPC during rodent development, and characterized the neural phenotype of MAPCs in the resultant chimeric animals. Donor cell-derived beta-Gal activity was evident throughout the brain. Double and triple immunofluorescent labeling studies revealed MAPC-derived neurons (NeuN/beta-Gal) and astrocytes (GFAP/beta-Gal) in the cortex, striatum, medial septal nucleus, hippocampus, cerebellum, substantia nigra, and thalamus. More specifically, donor-derived neurons contributed to each of the cellular layers of the cortex; the pyramidal and granule cell layers, as well as the hilus, of the hippocampus; Purkinje and granule cell layers in the cerebellum; and GABAergic cells in the caudate and putamen. This study characterizes the potential for MAPCs to differentiate into specific neuronal and glial phenotypes, and to integrate normally during development, after implantation into blastocysts, and provides additional evidence that MAPCs exhibit properties similar to embryonic stem cells.     

Mesenchymal stem cells

Stem cells have two features: the ability to differentiate along different lineages and the ability of self-renewal. Two major types of stem cells have been described, namely, embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells. Embryonic stem cells (ESC) are obtained from the inner cell mass of the blastocyst and are associated with tumorigenesis, and the use of human ESCs involves ethical and legal considerations. The use of adult mesenchymal stem cells is less problematic with regard to these issues. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are stromal cells that have the ability to self-renew and also exhibit multilineage differentiation. MSCs can be isolated from a variety of tissues, such as umbilical cord, endometrial polyps, menses blood, bone marrow, adipose tissue, etc. This is because the ease of harvest and quantity obtained make these sources most practical for experimental and possible clinical applications. Recently, MSCs have been found in new sources, such as menstrual blood and endometrium. There are likely more sources of MSCs waiting to be discovered, and MSCs may be a good candidate for future experimental or clinical applications. One of the major challenges is to elucidate the mechanisms of differentiation, mobilization, and homing of MSCs, which are highly complex. The multipotent properties of MSCs make them an attractive choice for possible development of clinical applications. Future studies should explore the role of MSCs in differentiation, transplantation, and immune response in various diseases.     

Limitations of using aggrecan and type X collagen as markers of chondrogenesis in mesenchymal stem cell differentiation.

The study was initially designed to differentiate human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) into chondrocyte-like cells, for use in tissue engineering. We cultured MSCs in defined chondrogenic medium as pellet cultures supplemented with transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 or -beta3 and dexamethazone, as they are commonly used to promote in vitro chondrogenesis. Markers of chondrogenesis used were type II collagen and aggrecan, with type X collagen being used as a marker of late-stage chondrocyte hypertrophy (associated with endochondral ossification). Our results show that aggrecan is constitutively expressed by MSCs and that type X collagen is expressed as an early event. Furthermore, we found that type X collagen was expressed before type II collagen in some cases. This is surprising because it is understood that stem cells have to be differentiated into chondrocytes before they can become hypertrophic. Thus, caution must be exercised when using aggrecan and type X collagen as markers for chondrogenesis and chondrocyte hypertrophy, respectively, in association with stem cell differentiation from this source.     

Hepatocytic gene expression in cultured rat mesenchymal stem cells

The origin of liver cells from distinct bone marrow stem cells, eg, hematopoietic stem cells or multipotent adult progenitor cells has been recently described using in vitro studies. Cell culture experiments revealed the key role of growth factors and the organ-specific environment for the induction of liver-specific genes. We investigated the in vitro potential of rat mesenchymal stem cells to differentiate into hepatocytic cells in cocultures with isolated rat liver cells. Rat mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) propagated in culture, and transduced with green fluorescent protein (GFP) were cloned. Cells from selected clones were either cultured under liver-stimulating conditions, using serum free medium supplemented with HGF, EGF, SCF, and FGF-4 alone on fibronectin-coated surfaces, or cocultured with freshly isolated rat liver cells. Cocultured cells were harvested after two weeks and sorted into GFP-positive (GFP+) and GFP-negative (GFP-) cells. RT-PCR for liver specific markers CK-18 and albumin were performed on the different cell populations. After 2 weeks, the specified culture conditions led to the expression of albumin and CK-18 RNA in GFP-positive sorted MSCs from the cocultures, whereas MSCs cultured without liver cells did not express the studied genes. The results indicate, that when cocultured with liver cells MSCs from the bone marrow have the potential to differentiate toward hepatocytic cells in vitro. We conclude that MSC may possess an enhanced capacity to differentiate into functional liver cells. Additionally, environmental factors seem to be crucial for specific and directed differentiation.     

Sonic hedgehog protein promotes proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells in vitro

Background Sonic hedgehog (Shh) protein is known to be an important signaling protein in early embryonic development. Also, Shh is involved in the induction of early cartilaginous differentiation of mesenchymal cells in the limb and in the spine. Methods The impact of Shh on adult stem cells, human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), was tested. The MSCs were treated either with recombinant Sonic hedgehog protein (r-Shh) or with transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β₁) as a positive control in vitro for 3 weeks. The effects on cartilaginous differentiation and proliferation were assayed. Results MSCs when treated with either Shh or TGF-β₁ showed expression of cartilage markers aggrecan, Sox9, CEP-68, and collagen type II and X within 3 weeks. Only r-Shh-treated cells showed a very strong cell proliferation and much higher BrdU incorporation in cell assay systems. Conclusions These are the first data that indicate an important role of Shh for the induction of cartilage production by MSCs in vitro.     

Ectopic bone formation of human bone morphogenetic protein-2 gene transfected goat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells in nude mice

onemorphogenetic proteins (BMPs)haveapowerfulcapacitytoelicitnewboneformation .ThereareseveraldeliverymethodsofBMPsintreatingbonedefects ,oneofwhichisgenetherapy .Retrovirus,adenovirusandadeno associatedvirushavebeenutilizedtodeliverBMPgene .1,2 Sincethedirectuseofthesevectorshasseveraldisadvantages ,wehavedevelopedexvivo genetherapytechniquewhichinvolvestheisolationandcultivationofautologousbonemarrow derivedmesenchymalstemcells (MSCs) ,transfectionofthecellsinvitroandimplantationofthesec…     

骨髓间充质干细胞对同种异体胰岛的保护作用

目的 研究小鼠骨髓间充质干细胞(mesenehymal stem cells,MSCs)对同种异体胰岛的保护作用.方法 将C57BL/6小鼠骨髓间充质干细胞按照3×104/孔的密度预先接种至24孔培养板,次日分离纯化BALB/c小鼠胰岛,将其分为链脲菌素(streptozotocin,STZ)处理(诱导化学损伤)、混合淋巴细胞反应(mixed lymphocyte reaction,MLR)处理(诱导免疫损伤)、空白处理三组,与预先接种的MSCs进行共培养.作为实验对照,另设三组胰岛在不加MSCs的条件下进行体外培养.5 d后,用吖啶橙(acridine orange,AO)/碘化丙啶(propidium iodide,PI)荧光染色评估胰岛活力,葡萄糖刺激的胰岛素分泌实验检测其功能,比较MSCs共培养组与对照组胰岛在低糖、高糖刺激下的胰岛素分泌量及刺激指数(即高糖刺激胰岛素分泌量/低糖刺激胰岛素分泌量比值).结果 AO/PI染色显示,STZ或MLR处理的胰岛中有大量红色荧光的死细胞,而与MSCs共培养的胰岛中死细胞明显减少,绿色荧光的活细胞明显增加;STZ或MLR处理组胰岛在低糖、高糖刺激下的胰岛素分泌水平及刺激指数均显著下降,而与MSCs共培养者较相应对照组胰岛功能明显改善(P＜0.05).结论 小鼠骨髓间充质干细胞可减轻同种异体胰岛的化学及免疫损伤,保护游离胰岛的活力与功能.

Abstract：

Objective To study the protection of mouse bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells ( MSCs) for allogenic islets. Method MSCs from C57BL/6 mice were preceded to a 24-well culture plate with the density of 3 × 104/well. On the second day, islets were isolated, purified and divided to undergo streptozotocin (STZ) induced chemical injury and mixed lymphocyte reaction ( MLR) respectively. Then, treated and control islets were respectively divided into the following groups: islets + MSCs, STZ-islets + MSCs, and MLR-islets + MSCs. As control groups for their counterparts, treated or non-treated islets were also cultured without MSCs. On the 5th day incubation, glucose-stimulated insulin secretion test was performed to assess the function of islets in different groups, comparing their insulin-secretion amount stimulated by low or high glucose and the stimulation index determined by the ratio of (insulin amount secreted under high-glucose stimulation)/(insulin amount secreted under low-glucose stimulation ). Islet viability was evaluated by acridine orange (AO)/propidium iodide (PI) fluorescence staining. Result As shown by AO/PI staining, large numbers of dead cell with red fluorescence could be observed in STZ- or MLR- treated islets without MSCs, while the number of dead cells obviously reduced in MSC-cocultured islets with increased viable cells of green fluorescence. STZ- or MLR- treated islets exhibited apparently decreased insulin-secretion amount either under low- or high-glucose stimulation, as well as the stimulation index. The insulin-secretion function was significantly improved in islets cocultured with allogenic MSCs (P ＜ 0. 05 ). Conclusions Bone marrow-derived MSCs can protect isolated allogenic islets against chemical and immunological injury.     

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells versus bone marrow nucleated cells in the treatment of chondral defects

Purpose  

The aim of this study was to compare bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with bone marrow nucleated cells (BNCs) as seed cells in the treatment of cartilage defects.     

Survival of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells in a xenotransplantation model.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are immunoprivileged and the allogeneic MSCs implantation has been used to facilitate tissue repairs such as bone and cartilage defect. The present study aimed to investigate the feasibility of xenogeneic MSCs implantation. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgenic rat bone marrow-derived MSCs were loaded into HA/TCP Skelite blocks and implanted intramuscularly into the quadriceps of the MF1 and SCID mice. After 11 weeks, the implants were harvested and processed for further examinations. The peripheral blood mononuclear cells of each animal were also collected to measure the in vitro immune responses using mixed lymphocyte culture and cytotoxic assay. In the MF1 mice, some surviving MSCs were found in the explants after 11 weeks of implantation, but there was no sign of new bone formation as neither osteocalcin mRNA nor osteoid tissues were detected in the explants; the lymphocyte proliferation and cytotoxicity against donor MSCs were significantly increased in the animals with the xenogeneic MSCs implantation compared with the control littermates without transplantation. In the control SCID mice, osteoid tissues derived from the implanted MSCs were found in the explants; no difference of lymphocyte proliferation and cytotoxicity against the donor MSCs was detected between the SCID mice with or without MSCs implantation. The data suggested that rat MSCs survived the 11 weeks of xenotransplantation in the MF1 mice, but the increased host immune sensitization led to the impaired in vivo osteogenesis potential of MSCs.     

Bone marrow stem cells for urologic tissue engineering

OBJECTIVES: Experiments in rats and dogs have demonstrated the potential of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for urinary tract tissue engineering. However, the small graft size in rats and a failure to identify the MSCs in engineered tissues made it difficult to assess the true potential of these cells. Our goals were to characterize MSCs from pigs, determine their ability to differentiate into smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and use them in an autologous augmentation cystoplasty. METHODS: MSCs were isolated from pigs and analyzed for common markers of MSCs by flow cytometry. SMC differentiation was determined by immunoblotting. MSCs were isolated, genetically labeled, expanded in vitro, seeded onto small intestinal submucosa (SIS) and used for autologous bladder augmentation. RESULTS: Porcine MSCs are morphologically and immunophenotypically similar to human MSCs. Culturing MSCs at low density enhances proliferation rates. MSCs consistently differentiate into mature SMCs in vitro when maintained at confluence. Labeled MSCs grew on SIS over one week in vitro and survived a 2-week implantation as an autologous bladder augment in vivo. Some label-positive cells with SMC morphology were detected, but most SMCs were negative. Notably, many cells with a urothelial morphology stained positively. CONCLUSIONS: Porcine MSCs have similar properties to MSCs from other species and consistently undergo differentiation into mature SMC in vitro under specific culture conditions. Labeled MSCs within SIS may assist tissue regeneration in augmentation cystoplasty but may not significantly incorporate into smooth muscle bundles.     

Intramyocardial CD34+ cell transplantation combined with off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting

This report describes a new therapeutic approach for severe ischemic heart disease, intramyocardial transplantation of autologous bone marrow-derived CD34 + cells combined with off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). CD34 is widely known as a cell surface antigen expressed on hematopoietic stem cells, and recent experimental studies have shown that CD34 + cells include endothelial progenitor cells. We used the Isolex 300i magnetic cell selection system to separate CD34 + cells from bone marrow cells. This report describes the first case treated with the combination of off-pump CABG and cell transplantation for therapeutic angiogenesis and myocardial regeneration. The transplantation of autologous bone marrow-derived CD34 + cells improved perfusion of the ungraftable ischemic area.     

Two‐step stem cell therapy improves bone regeneration compared to concentrated bone marrow therapy

Adult stem cells are a promising tool to positively influence bone regeneration. Concentrated bone marrow therapy entails isolating osteoprogenitor cells during surgery with, however, only low cells yield. Two step stem cell therapy requires an additional harvesting procedure but generates high numbers of progenitor cells that facilitate osteogenic pre‐differentiation. To further improve bone regeneration, stem cell therapy can be combined with growth factors from platelet rich plasma (PRP) or its lysate (PL) to potentially fostering vascularization. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of bone marrow concentrate (BMC), osteogenic pre‐differentiation of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), and PL on bone regeneration and vascularization. Bone marrow from four different healthy human donors was used for either generation of BMC or for isolation of MSCs. Seventy‐two mice were randomized to six groups (Control, PL, BMC, BMC + PL, pre‐differentiated MSCs, pre‐differentiated MSCs + PL). The influence of PL, BMC, and pre‐differentiated MSCs was investigated systematically in a 2 mm femoral bone defect model. After a 6‐week follow‐up, the pre‐differentiated MSCs + PL group showed the highest bone volume, highest grade of histological defect healing and highest number of bridged defects with measurable biomechanical stiffness. Using expanded and osteogenically pre‐differentiated MSCs for treatment of a critical‐size bone defect was favorable with regards to bone regeneration compared to treatment with cells from BMC. The addition of PL alone had no significant influence; therefore the role of PL for bone regeneration remains unclear. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 37:1318–1328, 2019.     

恒河猴骨髓间充质干细胞体外培养及诱导分化成骨细胞的实验研究

[目的]体外分离培养非人类灵长类动物恒河猴骨髓MSCs,研究其生长、扩增及诱导分化为成骨细胞的特性.[方法]梯度离心法分离、纯化恒河猴骨髓源MSCs,观察不同接种密度和换液时间对细胞生长的影响;在体外应用成骨添加剂(含地塞米松10-7mol/L、β-甘油磷酸钠10 mmol/L、维生素C 50 mg/L)或rhBMP-2(100 ng/L)定向诱导分化,对分化后的细胞进行免疫组化染色和ALP、BGP定量测定以鉴定成骨细胞,并比较两种定向诱导分化方法的效果.[结果]梯度离心法分离、纯化得到的恒河猴骨髓源MSCs具有分裂和克隆增殖的能力,种植细胞密度为10×104～30×104/cm2,48 h后半量换液,以后每3 d全量换液的方法较合理,MSCs能少量表达ALP活性,分泌的钙量较少;诱导分化后的细胞具有和体内成骨细胞相同的形态学特征,ALP染色阳性,能表达Ⅰ型胶原,不表达Ⅱ型胶原,细胞融合后3 d,ALP和BGP分泌明显增加,融合后14 d细胞ALP、BGP的分泌水平略有升高,但无明显增加;采用成骨添加剂和rhBMP-2诱导分化MSCs后相同时期成骨细胞ALP活性、BGP含量无明显差异.[结论]密度梯度离心法分离得到的非人类灵长类动物骨髓源MSCs,体外培养具有分裂、克隆增殖的能力,在加有成骨细胞诱导剂或rhBMP-2的培养基里能诱导分化为成骨细胞,化学药物在定向诱导分化过程中具有和生长因子相一致的作用.     

Deficiency of either P-glycoprotein or breast cancer resistance protein protect against acute kidney injury

The kidney has a high capacity to regenerate after ischemic injury via several mechanisms, one of which involves bone marrow-derived (stem) cells. The ATP binding cassette transporters, P-glycoprotein and breast cancer resistance protein, are determinants for the enriched stem and progenitor cell fraction in bone marrow. Because they are upregulated after acute kidney injury, we hypothesized that both efflux pumps may play a role in protecting against renal injury. Surprisingly, transporter-deficient mice were protected against ischemia-induced renal injury. To further study this, bone marrow from irradiated wild-type mice was reconstituted by bone marrow from wild-type, P-glycoprotein- or breast cancer resistance protein-deficient mice. Four weeks later, kidney injury was induced and its function evaluated. Significantly more bone marrow-derived cells were detected in kidneys grafted with transporter-deficient bone marrow. A gender mismatch study suggested that cell fusion of resident tubular cells with bone marrow cells was unlikely. Renal function analyses indicated an absence of renal damage following ischemia-reperfusion in animals transplanted with transporter-deficient bone marrow. When wild-type bone marrow was transplanted in breast cancer resistance protein-deficient mice this protection is lost. Furthermore, we demonstrate that transporter-deficient bone marrow contained significantly more monocytes, granulocytes, and early outgrowth endothelial progenitor cells.