A simple, high-yield method for obtaining multipotential mesenchymal progenitor cells from trabecular bone

In vitro cultures of primary, human trabecular bone-derived cells represent a useful system for investigation of the biology of osteoblasts. Our recent discovery of the multilineage mesenchymal differentiation potential of trabecular bone-derived cells suggests the potential application of these cells as mesenchymal progenitors for tissue repair and regeneration. Such applications are crucially dependent on efficient cell-isolation protocols to yield cells that optimally proliferate and differentiate. In this study, we describe a simple, high-yield procedure, requiring minimal culture expansion, for the isolation of mesenchymal progenitor cells from human trabecular bone. Moreover, these cells retain their ability to differentiate along multiple mesenchymal lineages through successive subculturing. Cell populations isolated and cultured as described here allow the efficient acquisition of a clinically significant number of cells, which may be used as the cell source for tissue-engineering applications.