Gene Expression Profile of Adherent Cells Derived From Human Peripheral Blood: Evidence of Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) provide a novel option in cellular therapy and tissue engineering. Recent studies indicated that it is possible to obtain MSCs from peripheral blood by attachment ability to plastic surface. To evaluate adherent cells derived from peripheral blood, their expression profile and surface markers were investigated. The results of RT-PCR indicated that these cells expressed MECP2, SLITRK2, SLITRK4 as well as the neuronal markers Nestin, β III tubulin, NFM, MAP2 and NSE. In the present study, a panel of surface markers were analysed by flow cytometry. These cells display a fibroblast like morphology as well as known sources of MSCs. The results obtained from immune-staining represented that these cells were negative for CD14, CD45, CD15 and CD24, whereas they were positive for CD29, CD44, CD105, CD73, CD166 and CD184. Our data indicated that the peripheral blood could be considered as a source of MSCs with high yield.