Decreased proliferation of mesenchymal stem cells in corticosteroid-induced osteonecrosis of femoral head

The ability of self-repair in patients with corticosteroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head is limited, and it has been suggested the cause is likely relevant to the poor proliferation activity of mesenchymal stem cells in the femoral head region. This study measured the number and proliferation activity of human mesenchymal stem cells in patients both with and without corticosteroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head. Bone marrow was collected from the proximal femur in patients with steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (osteonecrosis group, n=18) and patients with new femoral neck fractures without osteonecrosis (control group, n=11). Mesenchymal stem cells were isolated by density gradient centrifugation, and then selected by the adhesive method. The MTT reduction assay method was used to evaluate the level of proliferation. Cells from osteonecrosis patients showed reduced proliferation ability compared with the control patients. The percentage of cells in the S+G2/M phase was decreased significantly (P<.01) in the osteonecrosis group. The decreased proliferation ability of mesenchymal stem cells may play a role in the low repair capacity of steroid-induced osteonecrosis of femoral head. The altered function of mesenchymal stem cells may be responsible for the pathogenesis and progression of osteonecrosis.