Martin J. Hoogduijn, Ph.D.
Monique Verstegen, Ph.D.
Anja U. Engela, Ph.D.
Sander S. Korevaar
Marieke Roemeling-van Rhijn, Ph.D.
Ana Merino, Ph.D.
Marcella Franquesa, Ph.D.
Jeroen de Jonge, M.D., Ph.D.
Jan N.M. IJzermans, M.D., Ph.D.
Willem Weimar, M.D., Ph.D.
Michiel G.H. Betjes, M.D., Ph.D.
Carla C. Baan, Ph.D.
Luc J.W. van der Laan, Ph.D.

This recent study sheds light on a contested issue.

Abstract

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are present in the bone marrow, from where they are thought to migrate via the blood stream to sites of injury. However, virtually all tissues contain resident MSC that may contribute to local regenerative and immunomodulatory processes, thereby hypothetically pre-empting the need for recruiting MSC via the bloodstream. Although there is some indication for circulating MSC in animal models, there is little solid evidence for the mobilization and migration of MSC in the human circulation.

In the present study we were unable to detect MSC in the blood of healthy individuals. We then searched for MSC in the blood of ten patients with end-stage renal disease, ten patients with end-stage liver disease and in eight heart transplant patients with biopsy proven rejection by culturing of mononuclear cells under MSC-supporting culture conditions. In none of these patient categories MSC were identified in the blood. MSC were however found in the blood of a severe trauma patient with multiple fractures, suggesting that disruption of bone marrow leads to the release of MSC into the blood stream. The conclusion of this study is that MSC are not recruited into the circulation in patients with injured solid organs and during aggressive immune responses after transplantation.

To read the rest of this article, CLICK HERE.

Martin J. Hoogduijn, Ph.D. ([email protected]), Monique Verstegen, Ph.D., Anja U. Engela, Ph.D., Sander S. Korevaar, Marieke Roemeling-van Rhijn, Ph.D., Marcella Franquesa, Ph.D., Jeroen de Jonge, M.D., Ph.D., Jan N.M. IJzermans, M.D., Ph.D., Willem Weimar, M.D., Ph.D., Michiel G.H. Betjes, M.D., Ph.D., Carla C. Baan, Ph.D., and Luc J.W. van der Laan, Ph.D., are affiliated with the Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, Zuid Holland, Netherlands. Ana Merino, Ph.D., is affiliated with Bellvitge University Hospital, Dept. of Experimental Nephrology, Barcelona, Spain.

Stem Cells and Development, published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., is a peer-reviewed journal dedicated to communication and objective analysis of developments in the biology, characteristics, and therapeutic utility of stem cells, especially those of the hematopoietic system. The above article was first published August 2014 ahead of print with the title “No Evidence for Circulating Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Patients with Organ Injury”. The views expressed here are those of the authors and are not necessarily those of Stem Cells and Development journal, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers, or their affiliates. No endorsement of any entity or technology is implied.

Previous articleDisease Biomarkers Reflect Genetics and Lifestyle, Too
Next articleRoche to Acquire InterMune for $8.3B