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Isolation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells and their Cultivation on the Porous Bone Matrix
Published on: February 9, 2015
Low oxygen tension enhances osteogenic potential of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells with
Lihong Fan1, Ruiyu Liu1, Jia Li1
1Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xiwu Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710004, China.
Abstract:
Objective. Glucocorticoids can affect the function of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) adversely and merit the requirement for a strategy to correct this anomaly; we assessed the effect of low oxygen (2%) on BMMSCs from rabbits with osteonecrosis. Methods. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells from normal rabbits and rabbits with osteonecrosis were divided into four groups: (1) normal-normoxia group, with normal BMMSCs cultured under 20% oxygen; (2) osteonecrosis-normoxia group, with BMMSCs from rabbits with osteonecrosis cultured under 20% oxygen; (3) osteonecrosis-low oxygen treated group, with BMMSCs from rabbits with osteonecrosis cultured under 2% oxygen; (4) normal-low oxygen treated group, with normal BMMSCs cultured under 2% oxygen. The proliferation, osteogenic, and adipogenic differentiation of MSCs and expression of stemness genes, osteogenic, and adipogenic differentiation markers were investigated. Results. Compared with BMMSCs from normal rabbits, those from osteonecrosis rabbits showed significantly reduced proliferation ability, repressed expression of stemness genes, decreased osteoblasts formation, and increased adipocytes formation, indicating an osteonecrosis-related impairment. Low oxygen (2%) treated BMMSCs from osteonecrosis rabbits showed not only increased proliferation and osteogenic potential but also decreased adipogenic potential. Conclusion. Low oxygen (2%) culture represents a novel strategy to augment BMMSC function affected by glucocorticoids and holds significance for future strategies to treat femoral head osteonecrosis.
Insights
Low oxygen levels can improve bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) function in rabbits with osteonecrosis. This finding offers a new strategy for treating femoral head osteonecrosis by enhancing BMMSC function.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Stem Cell Biology
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Glucocorticoids negatively impact bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs).
- Osteonecrosis impairs BMMSC proliferation and differentiation.
- A strategy is needed to counteract glucocorticoid-induced BMMSC dysfunction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effect of low oxygen (2%) on BMMSCs from rabbits with osteonecrosis.
- To investigate if low oxygen can correct glucocorticoid-induced BMMSC anomalies.
Main Methods:
- BMMSCs from normal and osteonecrosis rabbits were cultured under normoxia (20% O2) and low oxygen (2% O2).
- Proliferation, osteogenic, and adipogenic differentiation were analyzed.
- Expression of stemness genes and differentiation markers was evaluated.
Main Results:
- Osteonecrosis BMMSCs exhibited reduced proliferation, repressed stemness gene expression, decreased osteogenesis, and increased adipogenesis compared to normal BMMSCs.
- Low oxygen (2%) treatment significantly increased proliferation and osteogenic potential of osteonecrosis BMMSCs.
- Low oxygen treatment decreased adipogenic potential in osteonecrosis BMMSCs.
Conclusions:
- Low oxygen (2%) culture is a novel strategy to augment BMMSC function impaired by glucocorticoids.
- This approach holds significance for future treatments of femoral head osteonecrosis.
- Hypoxia can restore normal function to compromised mesenchymal stem cells.

