Horizons in TransplantationStem cell and bone marrow transplantationGeneration of Mesenchymal-Like Stem Cells From Urine in Pediatric Patients

- The isolation of mesenchymal-like stem cells from urine may be useful as a methodological approach for regenerative medicine and cell therapy.
- The cells isolated from urine belong to a class of mesenchymal-like stem cells that are easy to isolate, culture, and store.
- This study has great implications for further study on the biological characteristics and applications of these mesenchymal-like stem cells.

ObjectivesMesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been widely used for regenerative medicine. Traditionally, the procedures of MSC isolation are usually invasive and time-consuming. Urine is merely a body waste, and recent studies have suggested that urine represents an alternative source of stem cells. We, therefore, determined whether the possibility of isolating mesenchymal-like stem cells was practical from human urine.MethodsA total of 16 urine samples were collected from pediatric patients. Urine-derived cells were isolated, expanded, and identified for specific cell surface markers using flow cytometry. Cell morphology was observed by microscopy. Osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation potential were determinded by culturing cells in specific induction medium, and assessed by alkaline phosphatase and oil red O stainings, respectively.ResultsClones were established and passaged successfully from primary cultures of urine cells. Cultured urine-derived cells at passage 3 were fusiform and arranged with certain directionality.Urine-derived cells at passage 5 displayed expressions of cell surface markers (CD29, CD105, CD166, CD90, and CD13). There was no expression of the general hematopoietic cell markers (CD45, CD34, and HLA-DR). Under in vitro induction conditions, urine-derived cells at passage 5 were able to differentiate into osteoblasts, but not adipocytes.ConclusionsUrine may be a noninvasive source for mesenchymal-like stem cells. These cells could potentially provide a new source of autologous stem cells for regenerative medicine and cell therapy.