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.
Objective To compare the efficiency of epidermis cell culture between big graft method and small strip method. Methods The big graft method was to cut the skin tissue reticularly from dermis layer while the epidermis were not cut off. After it was digested fully in trypsin, theepidermis was separated from skin and was used to culture epidermal cells. The small strip method was routine. The time to cut the skin and to separate the epidermis was recorded, and the number and quality of cells were compared between two methods. Results It took 8-10 minutes to cut an area of 5 cm2 skin into small strips and 1-2 minutes into big grafts. It took 10-15 minutes to separate the epidermis from the same area skin by small strip method and 2 minutes by big graft method. The cells showed better vigor and its number was more by big grafts than by small strips.The chance of fibroblast contamination was reduced obviously. Conclusion The big graft method is simpler than the small strip method and can culture more epidermis cells with less chance of fibroblast contamination.