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Human primary fibroblasts perform similarly to MSCs in assays used to evaluate MSC safety and potency
Author(s) -
Christy Barbara A.,
Herzig Maryanne C.,
Delavan Christopher,
Cantu Carolina,
Salgado Christi,
Bynum James A.,
Cap Andrew P.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
transfusion
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.045
H-Index - 132
eISSN - 1537-2995
pISSN - 0041-1132
DOI - 10.1111/trf.15187
Subject(s) - mesenchymal stem cell , potency , in vivo , flow cytometry , immunology , in vitro toxicology , adipose tissue , pharmacology , cluster of differentiation , in vitro , cell , medicine , biology , pathology , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry
BACKGROUND Cellular therapeutic agents may benefit trauma patients by modulating the immune response to injury, and by reducing inflammation and vascular leakage. Administration of allogeneic mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) shows some benefit in preclinical and clinical trials, but less testing has been performed with other cell types. Human primary fibroblasts (FBs) were compared to MSCs in assays designed to evaluate MSCs to determine if these assays actually evaluate properties unique to MSCs or whether related cell types perform similarly. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS MSC‐related surface marker expression, tissue factor, and human leukocyte antigen–D related were evaluated by flow cytometry, and in vitro adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation potential were determined. Procoagulant activity was determined by thromboelastography. Two potency assays correlated with immunomodulation potential were utilized: the mixed lymphocyte reaction and indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase enzyme activity assays. RESULTS Human primary FBs performed similarly to MSCs in assays designed to evaluate MSC characteristics and potency. Although similar for MSC‐positive cell surface marker expression, FBs did not show robust adipose differentiation and expressed some level of markers not expected on MSCs. CONCLUSIONS Human primary FBs are very similar to human MSCs, at least in assays currently used to evaluate MSC potency. Preclinical and clinical testing are required to determine if FBs show similar activity to MSCs in vivo. If FBs show inferior activity in vivo, development of new MSC‐specific potency assays will be necessary to evaluate properties relevant to their unique clinical benefits.