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Updated: Aug 8, 2026
Assessment of the Immunomodulatory Properties of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs)
Published on: December 24, 2015
Isolation of mesenchymal stem cells from G-CSF-mobilized human peripheral blood using fibrin microbeads
1Radiobiology and Biotechnology Laboratory, Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.
Abstract:
Adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) that are able to differentiate into various mesenchymal cell types are typically isolated from bone marrow, but their significant presence in human peripheral blood (PB) is controversial. Fibrin microbeads (FMB) that bind matrix-dependent cells were used to isolate MSC from the mononuclear fraction of mobilized PB of adult healthy human donors treated with a granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. Isolation by plastic adherence resulted in a negligible number of MSC in all samples tested, whereas FMB-based isolation yielded spindle-shaped cell samples that could further expand on plastic or on FMB in eight out of the 11 samples. The yield of these cells at days 17-18 after the harvest was approximately 0.5% of the initial cell number. The isolated cells were grown on plastic and characterized by FACS analysis and immunohistochemistry for specific markers. Following culturing and first passage, the FMB-isolated cells stained positive for mesenchymal stromal cell markers CD90 and CD105, expressed vimentin and fibronectin and were negative for hematopoietic markers CD45 and CD34. These cells could differentiate into osteoblasts, adipocytes and chondrocytes. This study indicates that FMB may have special advantage in isolating MSC from sources such as mobilized PB, where the number of such cells is scarce.
Insights
Fibrin microbeads effectively isolate mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) from human peripheral blood, overcoming limitations of traditional methods. This technique offers a promising approach for obtaining MSC from scarce sources like mobilized peripheral blood.
Area of Science:
- Stem Cell Biology
- Regenerative Medicine
- Hematology
Background:
- Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are crucial for tissue regeneration but their isolation from human peripheral blood (PB) remains challenging.
- Traditional isolation methods, like plastic adherence, yield limited MSC from PB.
- The presence and isolation efficiency of MSC in mobilized PB are not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of Fibrin Microbeads (FMB) for isolating MSC from mobilized human peripheral blood (PB).
- To characterize the isolated cells for MSC markers and differentiation potential.
- To compare FMB-based isolation with standard plastic adherence methods.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of mononuclear cells from mobilized PB of healthy donors.
- Cell isolation using Fibrin Microbeads (FMB) and standard plastic adherence.
- Characterization of isolated cells via FACS analysis, immunohistochemistry, and in vitro differentiation assays (osteogenesis, adipogenesis, chondrogenesis).
Main Results:
- FMB-based isolation yielded spindle-shaped cells capable of expansion in 8 out of 11 samples, unlike plastic adherence which resulted in negligible MSC.
- The yield of MSC using FMB was approximately 0.5% of the initial cell number at days 17-18.
- FMB-isolated cells expressed MSC markers (CD90, CD105) and differentiated into osteoblasts, adipocytes, and chondrocytes, while lacking hematopoietic markers (CD45, CD34).
Conclusions:
- Fibrin Microbeads (FMB) demonstrate a significant advantage in isolating MSC from mobilized peripheral blood.
- This method is effective even when MSC are present in scarce numbers.
- FMB-based isolation provides a viable strategy for obtaining multipotent MSC from peripheral blood sources for research and therapeutic applications.
