In vitro characterization of bone marrow stromal cells from osteoarthritic donors

• Overall, in vitro proliferation and differentiation of BMSCs is not markedly influenced by OA.
• SOX9 gene expression level was increased in OA-BMSCs after chondrogenic stimulation.
• The surface markers CD73, CD90 and STRO-1 were elevated in relation to CD14, CD34 and CD45 in OA-BMSCs.
• OA-BMSCs showed increased CD90 and decreased CD166 levels.

BMSCs, also known as bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells, provide an excellent source of progenitor cells for regenerative therapy. To assess whether osteoarthritis (OA) affects the regenerative potential of BMSCs we compared the proliferation and differentiation potential as well as the surface marker expression profile of OA- versus control BMSCs.BMSCs were isolated from bone marrow aspirates of n = 14 patients with advanced-stage idiopathic hip OA (67 ± 6 years) and n = 15 healthy individuals (61 ± 4 years). Proliferation was quantified by total DNA content and colony-forming-units of fibroblastsmax (CFU-F) assay. Differentiation assays included immunohistology, cell-specific alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and osteogenic, chondrogenic as well as adipogenic marker gene qRT-PCR. Expression of BMSC-associated surface markers was analyzed using flow cytometry.No significant intergroup differences were observed concerning the proliferation potential, cell-specific ALP activity as well as adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation marker gene expressions. Interestingly, SOX9 gene expression levels were significantly increased in OA-BMSCs after 14 days of chondrogenic stimulation (p < 0.01). The surface markers CD73, CD90 and STRO-1 were elevated in relation to CD14, CD34 and CD45 in both groups (p < 0.0001). Notably, OA-BMSCs showed significantly increased CD90 (p < 0.01) and decreased CD166 (p < 0.001) levels.Overall, the in vitro characteristics of BMSCs are not markedly influenced by OA. However, increased SOX9 and CD90 as well as reduced CD166 expression levels in OA-BMSCs warrant further investigation. These data will help to further understand the role of BMSC in OA and facilitate the application of autologous cell-based strategies for musculoskeletal tissue regeneration in OA patients.