Isolation of mesenchymal stem cells from human bone and long-term cultivation under physiologic oxygen conditions

Bone-derived stroma cells contain a rare subpopulation, which exhibits enhanced stemness characteristics. Therefore, this particular cell type is often attributed the mesenchymal stem cell (MSC). Due to their high proliferation potential, multipotential differentiation capacity, and immunosuppressive properties, MSCs are now widely appreciated for cell therapeutic applications in a multitude of clinical aspects. In line with this, maintenance of MSC stemness during isolation and culture expansion is considered pivot. Here, we provide step-by-step protocols which allow selection for, and in vitro propagation of high quality MSC from human bone.