Damage to murine bone marrow stromal cells induced by MTX at in vitro high concentration

Objective To explore the effects of different concentrations of Methotrexate (MTX) on murine bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) in vitro . Methods Cultured BMSCs were added with MTX of 0 μmol/L (control group), 0.01 μmol/L (group Ⅰ), 0.1 μmol/L (group Ⅱ), 1.0 μmol/L (group Ⅲ) respectively, then the morphology and growth of BMSC were observed, the number of colony forming unit fibroblast (CFU F) counted, the adhesive function of BMSC assayed and the growth of colony forming unit mixed hematopoietic cells (CFU Mix) on the BMSC layer observed. Results No remarkable difference was found between the above indexes of concentration Ⅰ group and those of the control. In concentration Ⅱ and Ⅲ groups, however, the number of fibroblast decreased significantly, the growth curve of BMSC lowered, the number of CFU F and the adhesive function reduced significantly and the growth of CFU Mix slowed down. The most remarkable changes were found in concentration Ⅲ group. Conclusion The morphology of BMSC can be changed, the growth of BMSC can be inhibited, and the ability of BMSC to adhere and support hematopoiesis can be damaged by high concentration of MTX. To a certain extent, the damage to BMSC by MTX is dependent upon its concentration.