Evaluation of equine peripheral blood apheresis product, bone marrow, and adipose tissue as sources of mesenchymal stem cells and their differentation potential

Objective-To evaluate effects of apheresis on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and compare those MSCs with MSCs obtained from adipose tissue or bone marrow (BM) Sample Population Samples obtained from 6 adult horses Procedures-Samples of blood from a peripheral vein adipose tissue and BM aspirate were obtained from each horse Samples were processed via apheresis of blood and techniques reported elsewhere for adipose tissue and BM Cultures were maintained until adherence and subsequently were subjected to differentiation protocols to evaluate adipogenic osteoblastogenic and chondrogenic potential Results-Apheresis product had a significantly higher mononuclear percentage higher platelet count and lower RBC count compared with values for peripheral blood No cell adherence to the tissue culture plates was detected for the apheresis product Adherence was detected for 6 of 6 adipose derived and 4 of 6 BM-derived samples Variations in efficiency were detected for differentiation of adipose- and BM derived cells into adipocytes chondrocytes and osteoblasts Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Apheresis was able to concentrate mononuclear cells and reduce RBC contamination However the apheresis product was unable to adhere to the tissue culture plates In matched horses adipose and BM-derived MSCs were capable of producing lipids glycosaminoglycan and mineral The BM was vastly superior to adipose tissue as a source of MSCs with osteoblastogenic potential in matched horses Additional studies will be necessary to optimize apheresis techniques for horses before peripheral blood can be considered a suitable source for multipotential cells for use in cell-based treatments (Am J Vet Res 2011 72 127-133)