Optimization of a flow cytometry-based protocol for detection and phenotypic characterization of multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells from human bone marrow

摘要

Background: To study the biology of rare bone marrow (BM) multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), recognized protocols are needed. Colony-forming unit-fibroblast (CFU-F) assays have historically been used for the enumeration of MSCs. However, the need to isolate and further analyze MSCs requires new strategies based on cell surface markers. The purpose of this work was to verify the phenotype of BM MSCs in vivo and to develop flow cytometry-based methods for their evaluation.