Objective To observe the morphology and growing status of mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs) of human bone marrow in vitro, in order to confirm that MSCs of human bone marrow are ideal seed cells and provide basic theory for further MSCs research. Methods The methods of density gradient centrifugation with lymphocyte separation medium for human and adherent filtration were used to isolate and purify MSCs of human bone marrow. We observed the cellular growth status and morphology of the primary MSCs and the surface antigens of second passage MSCs were tested. Results The primary culture cells fused into monolayer after 14-16 d. The passage cells kept the same morphological characteristics of primary culture cells. Ultrastructure of the second passage MSCs showed that the shape of nuclei was irregular, there were multiple nucleoli in some of the nuclei, and morphological differentiation of intracytoplasm organelles was immature. The growth curve of the first, fifth and tenth passage cells showed a logarithmic growth at day 3, a peak growth at day 5, and no clones occurred after tenth passage. Cloning efficiency of first passage, fifth passage and tenth passage was respectively 25.83%±2.93%, 14.67%±1.63% and 4.67%±0.52%. Test of MSCs phenotypic characteristics showed a high homogeneity among the cells and surface antigen profiles were positive for CD29, CD44 and negative for CD34, CD45. Conclusion The methods of density gradient centrifugation with lymphocyte separation medium for human and adherent filtration are simple, economic and efficient to isolate and purify MSCs from human bone marrow. With a high proliferating ability in vitro, MSCs from human bone marrow are ideal seed cells for tissue engineers.
