Surface markers distinguishing mesenchymal stem cells from fibroblasts

Abstract

Human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are widely used for treatment of various diseases. Clinical applications require large quantities of MSCs, therefore these cells must be expanded in the culture system. It is believed that contamination of MSC cultures with fibroblasts may lead to the decrease of the stem cell differentiation potential. Moreover, such stem cell preparations are potentially unsafe to use for clinical applications since a few fibroblasts can become tumorigenic. Therefore, there is a need to separate MSCs from fibroblasts. However, studies show that MSCs and fibroblasts have much in common. These two types of cells share such properties as identical spindle-like morphology, plastic adherence and the same expression of most surface antigens. The aim of this review article is to analyze the literature on the similarities and differences between the MSCs and fibroblasts, particularly in the expression of cell surface markers in order to determine which could be used for quick separating of MSCs from fibroblasts. Interestingly, the results of recent studies suggest that the use of CD10, CD26, CD106, CD146 and ITGA11 could be helpful for the discrimination of MSCs from fibroblasts. Identification and elimination of fibroblasts from MSC cultures could improve the MSC yield and differentiation potential and also prevent possible tumor formation after MSC transplantation.

In Vivo Identity of Tendon Stem Cells and the Roles of Stem Cells in Tendon Healing

“…This makes it impossible to use these markers to label stem cells in vivo. This is also supported by previous studies which showed that lung fibroblasts also expressed CD44, CD73, and CD105 [39][40][41]. Other articles showed that the expression of these markers were defined operationally only aiming at enriching cells that were clonogenic/multi-potent in vitro, and none of them appeared to participate directly in the molecular processes regulating selfrenewal versus differentiation [42,43].…”

In vitro comparative study of human mesenchymal stromal cells from dermis and adipose tissue for application in skin wound healing

“…The CD106 surface marker was reported positive in MSCs and negative in fibroblasts. On the other hand, strong positive expression (above 95%) of CD10 was described in fibroblasts and lower than 35% in MSCs (Cappellesso‐Fleury et al, ; Halfon et al, ; Kundrotas, ). In our study, however, DSCs, ASCs, and fibroblasts displayed variable expression of CD10 and were negative to CD106.…”

Characterization of stem‐like cancer cells in basal cell carcinoma and its surgical margins

“…The third mesenchymal marker CD73 was more expressed in BCC than in margins and normal tissue. As the presence of CD90 and CD44 markers has been reported in basal cells and hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) isolated from human skin, the discrimination between CSC and non‐neoplastic cells becomes more challenging …”