Studies On Biological Characteristics Of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Isolated From Human Fetal Bone Marrow

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), originally isolated as single-cell suspensions of bone marrow colonies of fibroblast-like cells that adhere to plastic, are pluripotent cells capable of differentiating into several cell lineages, including osteoblasts, chondrocytes, adipocytes, skeletal and cardiac myocytes, endothelial cells, and neurons in vitro and in vivo after transplantation. MSCs may be derived from adult bone marrow, fat, and several fetal tissues. They escape the immune system in vitro, and this may make them candidates for cellular therapy in an allogeneic setting. They also have immunomodulatory effects, inhibit T-cell proliferation in mixed lymphocyte cultures, prolong skin allograft survival, and may decrease graft-versus-host disease(GVHD) when co-transplanted with hematopoietic stem cells. MSCs induce their immunosuppressive effect via a soluble factor. Some candidates have been suggested, and various mechanisms have also been suggested, although contradictory data exist; this may be due to differences in the cells and systems tested. A major problem has been that it has been difficult to identify and isolate MSCs after transplantation in vivo. However, MSCs seem to enhance hematopoietic engraftment in recipients of auto- and allogeneic grafts. Recently, they were found to reverse grade IV acute GVHD of the gut and liver. No tolerance was induced, however. Controlled studies are warranted. Thus, in allogeneic stem cell transplantation, MSCs may be used for hematopoiesis enhancement, as GVHD prophylaxis, and for the treatment of severe acute GVHD. They are also of potential use in the treatment of organ transplant rejection and in autoimmune inflammatory bowel disorders where immunomodulation and tissue repair are needed.Objective By using biological and immunological assays, the aim of our studies was to (1) explore the isolation and culture methods of mesenchymal stem cells from...