Affiliations: [a] Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK | [b] Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK | [c] College of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | [d] King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Professor Gerard B. Nash, Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK. Tel.: + 44 (0) 121 415 8709; E-mail: g.nash@bham.ac.uk
Abstract: BACKGROUND:Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are used in therapy, often by injection into the blood. OBJECTIVE:We aimed to compare the adhesive and migratory properties of MSC from umbilical cords (UCMSC), bone marrow (BMMSC) or trabecular bone (TBMSC), which might influence delivery to injured tissue. METHODS:MSC were perfused through glass capillaries coated with matrix proteins, collagen or fibronectin, or albumin. Adherent cells were counted microscopically and their spreading analysed over time. MSC migration through 8 μm pore filters coated with the same proteins was analysed. RESULTS:The number of MSC adhering to collagen was greater than fibronectin, decreased as wall shear rate increased from 17 to 70 s−1, and was in the order UCMSC>BMMSC>TBMSC. Conversely, spreading was more effective on fibronectin and was in the order BMMSC>TBMSC≥UCMSC. Migration was promoted by coating the lower surface of filters with either matrix protein, with UCMSC migrating more efficiently than BMMSC. CONCLUSIONS:MSC show origin-dependent variations in their efficiency of capture from flow and subsequent spreading or ability to migrate on matrix proteins. UCMSC showed most efficient capture from flow, which was followed by less spreading, but more rapid migration. These responses might be associated with more effective delivery from the circulation into damaged tissue.
