Human fetal heart-derived adherent cells with characteristics similar to mesenchymal progenitor cells

This study was aimed to investigate if human heart harbored a population of primitive undifferentiated cells with the characteristics of MPC. Cells were isolated from human fetal heart and were cultured under conditions appropriate for bone marrow-derived MPCs. Their morphology, phenotypes and functions were tested by methods developed for MPC from other sources. The results showed that morphologically, cells were spindle shaped and resembled fibroblasts. In their undifferentiated state, cells were CD73, CD105, CD29, CD44, HLA-ABC, CD166 positive and CD45, CD34, CD86, HLA-DR negative. When cultured in adipogenic, osteogenic or chondrogenic media, cells differentiated into adipocytes, osteocytes and chondrocytes respectively. They could be extensively expanded in vitro and exhibited very low immunogenicity as evaluated by T cell proliferation assays. It is concluded that cells isolated from fetal heart possess similarity to their adult and fetal bone marrow counterparts in morphologic, immunophenotypic, and functional characteristics.