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Development and validation of a new method to isolate, expand, and differentiate circulating osteogenic precursor
Jack Feehan1,2,3, Kulmira Nurgali1,2,3, Vasso Apostolopoulos2,3
1Department of Medicine - Western Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Bone Reports
|August 9, 2021
Summary
Researchers isolated specific circulating osteogenic precursor (COP) cells from blood using fluorescence-activated cell sorting. These hematopoietic progenitor cells can form bone and offer potential for clinical applications in bone regeneration.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Hematology
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Circulating osteogenic precursor (COP) cells are blood progenitor cells capable of bone formation.
- A subset of COP cells expresses hematopoietic markers (CD45, CD34), linked to bone pathologies.
- Limited cell culture models hinder research into these hematopoietic COP cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a reliable method for isolating and culturing CD45+/CD34+/alkaline phosphatase (ALP)+ COP cells.
- To characterize the behavior and differentiation potential of these cells in vitro.
- To provide a standardized approach for future research and clinical translation.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of CD45+/CD34+/ALP+ COP cells via fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS).
- Expansion and differentiation of isolated cells in cell culture.
- Analysis of cell surface markers and osteogenic potential over time.
Main Results:
- Hematopoietic COP cells were identified as a distinct population within peripheral blood monocytes.
- These cells formed proliferative, fibroblastoid colonies in culture.
- While hematopoietic marker expression decreased, cells exhibited osteogenic marker expression and calcium deposition upon differentiation.
Conclusions:
- A reproducible method for isolating and culturing hematopoietic COP cells was developed.
- These cells demonstrate plasticity, transitioning from a hematopoietic phenotype to an osteogenic one.
- Standardized isolation and characterization pave the way for further research and clinical use of COP cells.
