Abstract

Stem cells are known to have the ability to renew themselves and differentiate into a diverse range of specialized cell types. Currently, the differentiation potential of human peripheral blood mononucleated cells in suspension as stem cells is not well-understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the differentiation potential of suspension mononucleated cells from human peripheral blood to differentiate. The osteoblast and osteoclast differentiation potential of suspension peripheral blood mononucleated cells were examined by molecular, biochemical and cell morphology analyses. The expression of osteoblast marker (osteonectin, SPARC) and osteoclast marker (tartrate resistant acid phosphatase, TRAP) as well as high alkaline phosphate (ALP) and TRAP enzyme activity were observed at days 14 and 10 of osteoblast and osteoclast differentiation, respectively. Morphology analyses showed that mononucleated cells successfully differentiated into osteoblasts and osteoclasts. The existence of stem cells in mononucleated cells was evaluated by the expression of a stem cell factor (KIT) and a haematopoietic stem cell marker (signalling lymphocytic activation molecule family member 1, SLAMF1). This study has shown that these suspension mononucleated cells possess differentiation potential through in vitro study. Human peripheral blood suspension mononucleated cells that have multi-lineage differentiation potential may provide a new source of stem cells that may be used for bone regeneration and tissue engineering applications.

Key words: Peripheral blood, osteoblast cells, osteoclast cells, osteoblast differentiation, osteoclast differentiation.