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.

Stem Cells International
|February 19, 2015
PubMed

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.