Growth characteristics of cultured adult bone marrow stromal cells in vitro

Objective To investigate the growth characteristics of cultured adult bone marrow stromal cells (MSC) in vitro to provide the experimental basis of MSC used as the functional cells in bone tissue engineering. Methods Bone marrow was obtained by aspirated in the posterior superior iliac spine or flushed medullary cavity in costal bone from an adult patient whose marrow was normal. Mononuclear cells were then isolated by centrifugation for primary culture in different culture fluid systems. Subculture was done for 8 passages consecutively. The following data were obtained: growth curve, division rate, adhesive rate and double time. Results The growth curves of the third and sixth passages were very similar. The highest division rate of the third passage was 15‰. 88.54% of the subcultured cells were adhesive in 12 h. Conclusion MSC showed stable growth, relatively rapid proliferation and easy survival in the subculture in present culture condition. MSC in adults may be used in autogeneous bone engineering.