Characterization of Cellular and Molecular Heterogeneity of Bone Marrow Stromal Cells

Elsafadi, Mona; Manikandan, Muthurangan; Atteya, Muhammad; Hashmi, Jamil Amjad; Iqbal, Zafar; Aldahmash, Abdullah; Alfayez, Musaad; Kassem, Moustapha; Mahmood, Amer

doi:https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/9378081

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Research Article | Open Access

Volume 2016 | Article ID 9378081 | https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/9378081

Characterization of Cellular and Molecular Heterogeneity of Bone Marrow Stromal Cells

Mona Elsafadi,^1,2Muthurangan Manikandan,¹Muhammad Atteya,^1,3Jamil Amjad Hashmi,⁴Zafar Iqbal,⁵Abdullah Aldahmash,^1,6Musaad Alfayez,¹Moustapha Kassem,^1,2and Amer Mahmood^1,2

Academic Editor: Giorgio Mori

Received14 Apr 2016

Accepted26 May 2016

Published16 Aug 2016

Abstract

Human bone marrow-derived stromal stem cells (hBMSC) exhibit multiple functions, including differentiation into skeletal cells (progenitor function), hematopoiesis support, and immune regulation (nonprogenitor function). We have previously demonstrated the presence of morphological and functional heterogeneity of hBMSC cultures. In the present study, we characterized in detail two hTERT-BMSC clonal cell populations termed here CL1 and CL2 that represent an opposing phenotype with respect to morphology, markers expression: alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and CD146, and ex vivo differentiation potential. CL1 differentiated readily to osteoblasts, adipocytes, and chondrocytes as shown by expression of lineage specific genes and proteins. Whole genome transcriptome profiling of CL1 versus CL2 revealed enrichment in CL1 of bone-, mineralization-, and skeletal muscle-related genes, for example, ALP, POSTN, IGFBP5 BMP4, and CXCL12. On the other hand, CL2 transcriptome was enriched in immune modulatory genes, for example, CD14, CD99, NOTCH3, CXCL6, CFB, and CFI. Furthermore, gene expression microarray analysis of osteoblast differentiated CL1 versus CL2 showed significant upregulation in CL1 of bone development and osteoblast differentiation genes which included several homeobox genes: TBX15, HOXA2 and HOXA10, and IGF1, FGFR3, BMP6, MCAM, ITGA10, IGFBP5, and ALP. siRNA-based downregulation of the ALP gene in CL1 impaired osteoblastic and adipocytic differentiation. Our studies demonstrate the existence of molecular and functional heterogeneity in cultured hBMSC. ALP can be employed to identify osteoblastic and adipocytic progenitor cells in the heterogeneous hBMSC cultures.

1. Introduction

Human bone marrow stromal (also known as skeletal or mesenchymal) stem cells (hBMSC) are increasingly employed in clinical trials for enhancing tissue regeneration following injury [1]. Typically, hBMSC are isolated by their ability to adhere to the plastic surfaces of in vitro culture plates. However, the cultured hBMSC exhibit morphological heterogeneity suggesting the presence of functional heterogeneity [2, 3]. It has also been suggested that the use of heterogeneous cell populations in clinical trials of hBMSC-based therapies caused variability in the observed treatment effects [4]. Thus, for the efficient use of hBMSC in therapy, better cellular and molecular characterization of hBMSC is required [1, 4].

There exist no specific markers that define the hBMSC phenotype. The plastic-adherent hBMSC are defined by the presence of surface expression of some CD surface markers with variable sensitivity and specificity [1]. Single cell clonal analysis revealed that only 25% of the cells are true stem cells based on their ability to differentiate into osteoblasts, adipocytes, and chondrocytes (trilineage differentiation) and to form heterotopic bone and bone marrow organ when implanted in vivo subcutaneously in immune deficient mice [5]. The identity of the remaining cells is not clarified, but they may represent lineage-committed cells [3]. Therefore, it is plausible that functional heterogeneity exists in cultured hBMSC, reflecting the in vivo functional and developmental heterogeneity of hBMSC [6].

In addition to their ability to differentiate into skeletal tissue cells (known as progenitor function), hBMSC possess immunomodulatory characteristics (known as nonprogenitor functions) [7]. It is not clear whether these different functions are mediated by a number of independent subpopulations within the hBMSC [2]. Only a few studies have tried to identify the subpopulation within cultured hBMSC based on surface markers, for example, STRO1 and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), but limited molecular phenotyping has been conducted [8].

We have previously demonstrated the presence of morphological and functional heterogeneity of clones isolated from telomerized hMSC (hMSC-TERT) cell line [3]. The aim of the present study was therefore to further study in detail the heterogeneity of cultured hBMSC as demonstrated by two clonal cell lines with opposite cellular and functional phenotype. We also employed the DNA microarrays to define their molecular signature and signaling pathways associated with their functional phenotype.

2. Experimental Procedures

2.1. Cell Culture

As a model for hBMSC, we employed immortalized hBMSC-TERT cell line that is created from normal human BMSC by overexpression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase gene (hTERT) [9]. The hBMSC-TERT cells have been extensively characterized, and they exhibit similar cellular and molecular phenotype to primary MSC [10]. CL1 and CL2 cells are clonal cell populations of hBMSC-TERT identified in long term culture (passage numbers 15–25) of hBMSC-TERT and were chosen based on their distinct and different morphologies. Cells were cultured in Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) supplemented with D-glucose 4500 mg/L, 4 mM L-glutamine and 110 mg/L sodium pyruvate, 10% Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS), 1x penicillin-streptomycin (Pen-strep), and nonessential amino acids (all purchased from Gibco-Invitrogen, USA). For some control experiments, primary bone marrow derived MSC (phBMSC) were employed. Sixty milliliters of bone marrow was aspirated from the iliac crest bone of consenting healthy donors. This procedure was approved by the King Khalid University Hospital-King Saud University ethics committee. phBMSC were isolated from bone marrow mononuclear cells by plastic adherence as described previously [9].

2.2. Cell Proliferation

Cell proliferation rate was determined by counting cell number and calculating population doubling (PD) rate. The cells were cultured in 25 cm² tissue culture Petri dish at cell density 0.5 × 10⁶ cells (28000 cells/cm²). At confluence, the cells were trypsinized and counted manually by hemocytometer. At each passage, population doubling was determined by the following formula: , where is the number of cells at confluence divided by the initial cell number. Cumulative PD level is the sum of population doublings, and PD rate is PD/time in culture.

2.3. Flow Cytometry

Cells were trypsinized to a single cell suspension, were recovered by centrifugation at 200 g for 5 min, washed twice in ice-cold PBS supplemented with 2% BSA, and resuspended at a concentration of 10⁵ cells/antibody. After incubation with the preconjugated antibodies, or matched isotype controls, for 30 min on ice in the dark, cells were washed with PBS, resuspended in 500 μL of PBS, and analyzed in the BD FACSCalibur flow cytometer (BD Biosciences). Living cells were gated in a dot plot of forward versus side scatter signals acquired on a linear scale. At least 10,000 gated events were acquired on a log fluorescence scale. Positive staining was distinct as the emission of a fluorescence signal that surpassed levels achieved by >99% of control cell population stained with corresponding isotype antibodies. The ratios of fluorescence signals versus scatter signals were calculated, and histograms were generated using the software Cell Quest Pro Software Version 3.3 (BD Biosciences). The following antibodies were used all from BD Biosciences: FITC-PE-APC-Mouse IgG1k isotype control, APC-Mouse Anti-Human CD44 (#559942), FITC-Mouse Anti-Human CD63 (#557305), PE-Mouse Anti-Human CD73 (#550257), PE-Mouse Anti-Human CD105 (#560839), PE-Mouse Anti-Human CD146 (#550315), PE-Mouse Anti-Human CD166 (#560903), and Alexa Fluor® 488 Mouse Anti-Human Alkaline Phosphatase (#561495).

2.4. Electron Microscopy

After trypsinizing the hBMSC cells from the flasks or 6-well plates were collected, the samples were washed with PBS, and the pellets were resuspended directly in 2.5% glutaraldehyde in 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH 7.2), and kept at 4°C for 4 hr. First, the cells were washed with 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH 7.2) and transferred to 1% osmium tetroxide (OsO4) solution in 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH 7.2) for two hr. The cells were dehydrated in ascending grades of ethanol. The cells were then resuspended in acetone and were aliquoted into BEEM embedding capsules and infiltrated with acetone: resin mixture followed by embedding in a pure resin mixture for two hr. Semithin sections (0.5 μm thickness) and ultrathin sections (70 nm thickness) were prepared, examined, and photographed under a transmission electron microscope (TEM) (Jeol 1010, Jeol, Tokyo, Japan).

2.5. In Vitro Osteoblast Differentiation

Cells were grown in standard DMEM growth medium in 6-well plates at 20,000 cell/cm². When 70–80% confluence was achieved, test cells were cultured in DMEM supplemented with osteoblastic induction mixture (referred to as OS) containing 10% FBS, 1% Pen-strep, 50 μg/mL L-ascorbic acid (Wako Chemicals, Neuss, Germany), 10 mM β-glycerophosphate (Sigma) and 10 nM calcitriol (1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3; Sigma), and 10 nM dexamethasone (Sigma); noninduced cells (referred to as Cont) were cultured in normal growth media for the same duration as induced. The media were replaced three times per week. Cells cultured in standard culture medium were considered as control. At day 14 of differentiation, mineralized nodules became apparent and were stained with Alizarin Red S and ALP.

2.6. In Vitro Adipocyte Differentiation

Cells were grown in standard DMEM growth medium in 6-well plates at 0.3 × 10⁶ cells/mL. At 90–100% confluence, cells were cultured in DMEM supplemented with adipogenic (Adip) induction mixture containing 10% FBS, 10% Horse Serum (Sigma), 1% Pen-strep, 100 nM dexamethasone, 0.45 mM isobutyl methylxanthine (Sigma), 3 μg/mL insulin (Sigma), and 1 μM Rosiglitazone (Novo Nordisk, Bagsvaerd, Denmark). The media were replaced three times per week. Cells cultured in standard culture medium were considered as control. From day 3 of differentiation, small lipid droplets became visible and at day 7 they were stained with Oil Red-O and Nile red.

2.7. In Vitro Chondrogenic Differentiation

Both CL1 and CL2 cells were trypsinized and counted, around 1 × 10⁶ cells taken in each 15 mL conical tube centrifuged at 400 ×g for 5 minutes. For chondrocyte differentiation pellet culture system used, chondrocyte induction was done in media containing advanced DMEM/F12 supplemented with 1% ITS Premix Tissue Culture Supplement, 100 nM dexamethasone, Glutamax, and 10 ng/mL transforming growth factor-beta-3 (TGFβ-3). Cells were maintained in chondrocyte differentiation media for 21 days and changed every two days.

2.8. Cytochemical Staining

2.8.1. Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) Staining

CL1 and CL2 cells were stained before OS differentiation for the basal ALP expression and after OB differentiation at day 7 of induction. Cells cultured in 6-well plates were washed in PBS −/− (-Ca, -Mg) and fixed in acetone/citrate buffer 10 mM at pH 4.2 for 5 min at room temperature. The Naphthol/Fast Red stain [0.2 mg/mL Naphthol AS-TR phosphate substrate (Sigma)] [0.417 mg/mL of Fast Red (Sigma)] was added for one hour at room temperature.

Histological tissue blocks were sectioned at 4 microns. Immunohistochemical staining was performed on CL1 and CL2 chondrocyte 3D pellets using DAKO EnVision and PowerVision according to the manufacturer’s instructions (DAKO, Glostrup, Denmark). Briefly, paraffin sections were incubated for 1 hour at room temperature with primary antibodies diluted in ChemMate (DAKO) (Human Anti-Col-10 and Human Anti-Col-2 ABI). Sections were washed subsequently in Tris-buffered saline (TBS, 0.05 M, pH 7.4), incubated for 30 minutes with secondary anti-mouse Ig/HRP-conjugated polymers (K4001, En Visionþ, DAKO), and visualized with 3,30-diaminobenzidine tetrahydrochloride (DAB, S3000, DAKO) or with 3-amino-9-ethylcarbazole (AEC, DAKO) according to manufacturer’s instruction. Controls were performed with nonimmune immunoglobulins of the same isotype as the primary antibodies (negative controls) and processed under identical conditions. Alcian blue staining was used to detect chondrocytes. Sections of paraffin-embedded implants were stained with Alcian blue (Sigma) solution, pH 2.5; at this pH all the glycoproteins (neutral and acidic) will be stained blue.

2.9. Alizarin Red S Staining for Mineralized Matrix

Seven-day-old OS differentiated cells in 6-well plates were used for Alizarin Red S staining. The cell layer was washed with PBS and then fixed with 70% ice-cold ethanol for 1 hr at −20°C. After removing the ethanol, the cell layer was rinsed with distilled water and stained with 40 nM AR-S (Sigma) pH 4.2 for 10 minutes at room temperature. Excess dye was washed off with water followed by a wash with PBS for few minutes to minimize nonspecific AR-S stain.

For quantifying the Alizarin Red S staining, the air-dried plates, the Alizarin Red S dye was eluted in 800 μL of acetic acid incubated in each well for 30 minutes at room temperature as described [11] and measured in spectrophotometer (BioTek, Epoch) at 405 nm.

2.10. Quantitative ALP Activity

To quantify ALP activity in CL1 and CL2 hBMSC before and after OS differentiation, we used the BioVision ALP activity colorimetric assay kit (BioVision, Inc, CA, USA) with some modifications. Cells were cultured in 96-well plates under normal conditions; then on day of analysis, wells were rinsed once with PBS and were fixed using 3.7% formaldehyde in 90% ethanol for 30 seconds at room temperature. Subsequently, fixative was removed, and 50 μL of pNPP solution was added to each well and incubated for 1 hour in the dark at room temperature. The reaction was subsequently stopped by adding 20 μL stop solution and gently shaking the plate. OD was then measured at 405 nm.

2.11. Oil Red-O Staining for Lipid Droplets

CL1 and CL2 cells differentiated to adipocytes with Adip induction media at day 7 were used. Accumulated cytoplasmic lipid droplets were visualized by staining with Oil Red-O. After washing cells grown in 6-well plates with PBS, the cells were fixed in 4% formaldehyde for 10 min at room temperature and then rinsed once with 3% isopropanol and stained for 1 hr at room temperature with filtered Oil Red-O staining solution (prepared by dissolving 0.5 g Oil Red-O powder in 60% isopropanol). To quantify staining of fat droplets, Oil Red-O was used as a stain. Oil Red-O was eluted by adding 100% isopropanol to each well, and color changes were measured by spectrophotometer at 510 nm (BioTek Spectrophotometer, Epoch).

2.12. Nile Red Fluorescence Determination and Quantification of Adipogenesis

A stock solution of Nile red (1 mg/mL) in DMSO was prepared and stored at −20°C protected from light. Staining was performed on unfixed cells. Cultured undifferentiated and day 7 adipocyte differentiated cells were grown in Corning polystyrene; flat bottom 96-well TC-treated black microplates (Corning, NY, USA) were washed once with PBS. The dye was then added directly to the cells (5 μg/mL in PBS), and the preparation was incubated for 10 min at room temperature and then washed twice with PBS. Fluorescent signal was measured using SpectraMax/M5 fluorescence spectrophotometer plate reader (Molecular Devices Co, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) using bottom well-scan mode where nine readings were taken per well using Ex (485 nm) and Em (572 nm) spectra.

2.13. Quantitative Real-Time PCR (qRT-PCR) Analysis

Total RNA was extracted using MagNA pure compact RNA isolation kit (Roche Applied Science, Germany, Cat number 04802993001) in an automated MagNA pure compact system (Roche, Germany) as recommended by the manufacturer. The total RNA was quantified by Nanodrop spectrophotometer (Nanodrop 2000, Thermo Scientific, USA). Complementary DNA (cDNA) was synthesized from 1 μg of the RNA samples using High Capacity cDNA Reverse Transcription kit (Applied Biosystems, USA) using Labnet, Multigene thermocycler according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Relative levels of mRNA were determined from cDNA by real-time PCR (Applied Biosystems-Real-Time PCR Detection System) with Power SYBR Green PCR kit (Applied Biosystems, UK) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Following normalization to the reference gene GAPDH, quantification of gene expression was carried out using a comparative Ct method, where ΔCt is the difference between the CT values of the target and the reference gene, and fold induction was performed from the control (Cont) for the same time point. Primers (Supplementary Table 1 in Supplementary Material available online at http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/9378081) were obtained from Applied Biosystems (USA) as TAQMAN primers, or previously published primers were used (see Supplementary Table 1).

2.14. DNA Microarray Global Gene Expression Analysis

Four hundred ng of total RNA was used as input for generating biotin-labeled cRNA (Ambion, Austin, TX, United States). cRNA samples were then hybridized onto Illumina® human-8 BeadChips version 3. Hybridization, washing, Cy3-streptavidin staining, and scanning were performed on the Illumina BeadStation 500 platform (Illumina, San Diego, CA, USA), according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and everything was done in triplicate. Expression data analysis was carried out using the Partek® genomic suite software. Raw data were background-subtracted, normalized using the “rank invariant” algorithm, and filtered for significant expression on the basis of negative control beads. Genes were considered significantly expressed with detection values ≤ 0.01. Differential expression analysis was performed with the Illumina custom method using freshly isolated primary hBMSC (used at passage 3) as a reference control. The following parameters were set to identify statistical significance: differential values ≤ 0.01; fold change ratio > 1.5. Pathway analysis was performed using DAVID Bioinformatics Resources 6.7 (http://david.abcc.ncifcrf.gov/) and GeneSpring GX software (Agilent Technologies). Pathway analysis for CL1 OS D14 versus CL2 OS D14 was conducted using the Single Experiment Pathway analysis feature in GeneSpring 12.0 (Agilent Technologies).

2.15. Small Interfering (si)RNA Transfection

For transfection, hBMSC in logarithmic growth phase were transfected with Silencer Select Predesigned ALP siRNA (25 nM) (Assay ID; s1298 and Cat number 4390824) (Ambion, The RNA Company, USA) using Lipofectamine RNAiMAX Reagent (Invitrogen, CA, USA) plus serum-free Opti-MEM®I medium under the conditions described by the manufacturer. At day 3 of transfection, the cells were induced for osteogenic differentiation for an additional 7 days. ALP staining was used as a control for the siRNA transfection efficiency and timeline.

2.16. Statistical Analysis

All of the results were presented as the mean and standard deviation (SD) of at least 3 independent experiments, with 3–5 technical repeats in each experiment. Student’s -test (two-tailed) was used for testing differences between groups. value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

3. Results

3.1. Comparison between CL1 and CL2: Differences in Morphology, Proliferation, and Marker Expression Profile

We isolated two distinct clonal cell populations of hBMSC-TERT: hBMSC-CL1 and hBMSC-CL2 (for easiness will be termed hereafter CL1 and CL2) based on differences in cell morphology (Figure 1(a)). CL1 cells had cuboidal morphology whereas CL2 cells have spindle-shaped fibroblast-like morphology. CL1 cells had higher proliferation rate compared to CL2 (Figure 1(b)): mean PD rates of CL1 and CL2 were 0.714 and 0.429 PD/day, respectively (Figure 1(b)). Both CL1 and CL2 expressed surface marker profiles characteristics of hBMSC (>90%): CD44+, CD63+, CD73+, CD105+, and CD166+ (Figure 1(c)). However CL1 cells showed higher expression of CD146 (92.7% versus 12%) and ALP (98% versus 0%) compared to CL2 (Figure 1(d)). TEM revealed the presence of abundant pseudopodia in CL1 indicating high motility (Figure 1(e)(A)) as well as well-developed mitochondria and rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER) suggesting high metabolic activity. CL2 cells contained abundant phagocytic vacuole (pv), microvilli (mi), and lysosomes (ly) (Figure 1(e)).

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Figure 1

Cellular phenotype of two clonal populations of human bone marrow stromal stem cells: CL1 and CL2. (a) Cell morphology. CL1 cells showed large cuboidal morphology while CL2 cells had spindle-shaped fibroblast-like morphology. (b) Growth curves showing population doubling (PD) rate during long term culture. (c) Flow cytometry analysis (FACS) shows expression of CD44, CD63, CD73, CD105, and CD166 in CL1 and CL2 cells. Matched isotype control was used for gating. (d) Flow cytometry analysis presented as dot blot of CD146 and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) cell surface proteins. (e) Transmission electron microscope (TEM). (A): CL1 (1200x); (B): CL2 (1500x). n: nucleus, nu: nucleolus, rER: rough endoplasmic reticulum, ly: lysosomes, pv: phagocytic vacuole, and rer: reticular stalk of rER. (f) Gene expression analysis using RT-PCR for a group of mesodermal and stromal genes. Gene expression was normalized to GAPDH and presented as fold change. Data is shown as mean ± SD of three independent experiments. ; .

We performed quantitative real-time PCR (RT-PCR) for genes expressed in mesodermal progenitor cells [12]. CL1 expressed higher levels of BMP4, MIXL1, WNT3a, and TWIST compared to CL2 (Figure 1(f), ). In contrast, CL2 expressed higher levels of Kinase Insert Domain Receptor (Type III Receptor Tyrosine Kinase) (KDR) expressed in endothelial cells and smooth muscle myosin heavy chain gene (smMHC) expressed in smooth muscle cells (Figure 1(f)).

3.2. CL1 Cells Exhibit Enhanced Osteoblast Differentiation

Following osteoblast (OB) differentiation induction, ALP staining and ALP enzymatic activity were significantly higher in CL1 compared to CL2 cells (Figure 2(a), ). Similarly, Alizarin Red staining and quantitation of formed mineralized matrix were more pronounced in CL1 cells (Figure 2(b), ). In addition, CL1 cells expressed higher levels of osteoblastic genes, ALP, RUNX2, and osteopontin (OPN) (Figure 2(c) upper panel) compared to CL2 cells.

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Figure 2

In vitro osteoblastic and adipocytic differentiation of two clonal populations of human bone marrow stromal stem cells: CL1 and CL2 cells. Both cell lines were induced for osteoblast differentiation using standard protocol described in the Methods. (a) ALP staining at day 14 in control noninduced (Cont) and osteoblast induced cells (D14). Right panel shows ALP activity ( independent experiments, ). (b) Mineralized matrix formation visualized by Alizarin Red S staining. Right panel shows Alizarin Red quantification at day 14 and 21 after osteoblast differentiation ( independent experiments, ). (c) Quantitative RT-PCR of osteoblastic and adipocyte gene markers in CL1 and CL2 during osteoblast (upper panel) and adipocyte (lower panel) differentiation. ALP = alkaline phosphatase, OPN = osteopontin, LPL = lipoprotein lipase, and ADIPOQ = adiponectin. Data are presented as fold change in expression of each target gene normalized to GAPDH ( independent experiments, ; ). (d) CL1 and CL2 lines were induced for adipocyte differentiation using standard protocol described in the Methods. Adipocyte formation was visualized at day 7 (Adip d7) and day 14 (Adip d14) by Oil Red-O staining. Lower panel presents quantification of Nile red staining ( independent experiments, ). (e) CL1 and CL2 lines were induced for chondrocyte differentiation using 21-day pellet culture method as described in the Methods. The pellets were stained with Alcian blue, collagen 10 (Col X), and collagen 2 (Col II) (original magnification 5x).

Global gene expression microarray analysis of OB differentiated cells at day 14 showed around 1060 genes significantly upregulated more than 2-fold () in CL1. Among the upregulated genes, 80 genes were annotated to bone development and osteoblast differentiation (Table 1). The highest upregulated genes included paired-like homeodomain 2 (PITX2), Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) and collagen, type V, alpha 3 (COL5A3), osteomodulin (OMD), and T-box 15 (TBX15) (Table 1). Furthermore, several known osteoblast-related genes were upregulated in CL1 cells such as bone morphogenetic protein 6 (BMP6), fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3), insulin-like growth factor binding protein 5 (IGFBP5), and vitamin D (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3) receptor (VDR) (Table 1). On the other hand, 1200 genes were upregulated in CL2 cells: 255 genes were annotated to immunity and immune response and defense. This category included genes from, complement system, chemokine (C-C motif) ligands, interferon family, chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligands, and receptor, major histocompatibility complex class II molecules, interleukins, and tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily (Table 2 and Supplementary Table .

3.3. CL1 Cells Exhibit Enhanced Adipocyte Differentiation

We observed significant differences between CL1 and CL2 in their response to adipocytic differentiation induction. CL1 differentiated readily to adipocytes compared to CL2 (Figure 2(d), lower panel) evidenced by higher levels of adipocytic markers gene expression, LPL (lipoprotein lipase), and adiponectin, as well as formation of mature lipid filled adipocytes visualized by Oil Red-O staining and quantitative Nile red staining (Figure 2(d)).

3.4. CL1 Cells Differentiate to Chondrocytic Lineage

In pellet cultures, CL1 cells formed 3D pellets containing proteoglycan-secreting chondrocytes, which stained positive with Alcian blue. Limited chondrocyte differentiation was visible in cell pellets of CL2 cells. The differentiated chondrocytes in CL1 pellets expressed higher levels of collagen X and collagen II, which was overlapping the Alcian blue stain (Figure 2(e)).

3.5. Molecular Signature of CL1 and CL2 Cells

To define the molecular signature and molecular differences between CL1 and CL2, we compared the basal gene expression pattern of CL1 and CL2 cells using DNA microarrays. The PCA analysis showed a clear separation between CL1 and CL2 (Supplementary Figure ). Comparison between CL1 with CL2 showed that 915 genes were differentially expressed in the two cell lines (>2-fold, ): 462 genes were upregulated, and 452 were downregulated in CL1 versus CL2. The most relevant genes that were upregulated in CL1 are listed in Table 3(a). Among these 35 highly expressed genes in CL1, the following 11 genes were present in skeletal and muscular system development and function: FOLR3, CCL3L1, SERPINB2, POSTN, IGFBP5, CCL3, NOV, ALP, TNFRSF11B, ACTG2, and CDH11 (Table 3(a)). Functional annotation of the upregulated genes in CL1 using the Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) revealed enrichment in the following categories: “tissue development,” “skeletal and muscular system development and function,” and “organismal development” (Table 3(b)). Furthermore, the DAVID annotation tool was employed to assess the functional relationships of the upregulated genes in CL1 showing enrichment in ontologies: “skeletal and muscular system development and function” that included bone size, osteoblast differentiation, bone mineralization, and bone mineral density (Table 3(c)). CL1 exhibited upregulation of WNT pathway ligands: WNT5B (2-fold) and LRP5 (2-fold) (Table 1). Also, ALP was among the highly expressed genes together with POSTN, IGFBP5, SPP1, IL-6, and DKK1 (Tables 3(a) and 1). These genes are known to play an important role in osteoblast differentiation and bone formation. For CL2, inhibitors of WNT pathway were upregulated and included SFRP1 (11-fold), DKK2 (3.2-fold), FGF2 (3.1-fold), and GBP2 (2.4-fold). Functional annotation of the upregulated genes in CL2 revealed enrichment in the following categories: “developmental process,” “multicellular organismal process,” “biological adhesion,” and “immune system process” (Supplementary Table 2A). In-depth analysis of the biological processes revealed several immune-related pathways: “MAPKKK cascade,” “immunity and defense,” “signal transduction,” “extracellular matrix protein-mediated signaling,” and “interferon-mediated immunity,” among others that were upregulated (Supplementary Table 2B). Also, 40 genes related to immune system related factors were identified as significantly enriched in CL2 compared to CL1 cells (Supplementary Table 2C). We chose the following genes for validation of the microarray results: NOV, IGFBP5, ALP, TAGLN, and CDH11 as they were highly expressed in CL1. RT-PCR analysis confirmed the microarray results (Figure 3).

Table 3

Whole genome microarray analysis of two clonal populations of human bone marrow stromal stem cells: CL1 and CL2 cells. (a) Top 35 highly upregulated genes in CL1 cells versus CL2 cells. (b) Ingenuity® Pathway Analysis (IPA®) showing the different physiological system development and function genes found in each category and the corresponding value. (c) Upper part IPA analysis showing the categories for skeletal and muscular system development and function upregulated in CL1 cells and lower part showing genes upregulated in CL2 cells. NOV = nephroblastoma overexpressed, IGFBP5 = insulin-like growth factor binding protein 5, ALP, TAGLN = transgelin, and CDH11 = OB-cadherin (osteoblast).

Figure 3

Validation of whole genome microarray analysis of two clonal populations of human bone marrow stromal stem cells: CL1 and CL2 cells. Quantitative real-time PCR for highly expressed genes in CL1 cells. NOV = nephroblastoma overexpressed, IGFBP5 = insulin-like growth factor binding protein 5, ALP, TAGLN = transgelin, and CDH11 = OB-cadherin (osteoblast). Data are presented as fold change in expression of each target gene normalized to GAPDH ( = three independent experiments, ) (see also Table 3).

Furthermore, we compared the molecular phenotype of CL1 and CL2 cells with that of phBMSC. We found that more than 80% of the genes expressed in CL1 and 90% in CL2 cells were common with primary phBMSC (Supplementary Figure ), suggesting that CL1 and CL2 molecular phenotype exist within the heterogeneous population of phBMSC cultures.

3.6. ALP Knockdown Impairs Differentiation of CL1 Cells

Since ALP has been suggested as a marker for hBMSC progenitor cell lineage commitment [13] and was highly upregulated in CL1 cells, we tested its biological role in CL1 cells. ALP siRNA transfection decreased ALP protein level, ALP activity, and mRNA gene expression compared to control cells transfected with control siRNA () and this inhibition was detectable up to day 7 days after osteoblast differentiation induction (Figures 4(A) and 4(B)). At day 14 of differentiation, mineralization ability of CL1 was significantly impaired (Figure 4(C)). In addition, we found that the number of mature adipocyte formations was significantly reduced to more than 75% () (Figure 4(D)).

Figure 4

Effect of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) gene silencing by small interfering RNA (siRNA) on a clonal population of human bone marrow stromal stem cell CL1. (A) ALP staining at day 3, day 5, or day 7 days of osteoblast differentiation (OB induction). (B) Quantitative real-time PCR for ALP gene following ALP siRNA transfection at day 0 OB and day 7 of OB. Data are presented as fold change in expression of each target gene normalized to GAPDH ( = three independent experiments, ). Western blotting analysis of day 3 and day 7 after siRNA ALP transfection of CL1 cells, ALPL specific antibody, and B-actin was used. (C) Mineralized matrix formation as visualized by Alizarin Red S staining in siRNA transfected CL1 cells after 14 days of OB induction. (D) Nile red quantification of mature lipid filled adipocyte in control noninduced (Cont), adipocyte induced (Adip I), and ALP siRNA transfected cells that are adipocyte induced (ALP siRNA). Adipocyte induction was carried out for 7 days. .

To identify relevant adipocyte differentiation associated genes that were targeted by ALP deficiency, we compared the downregulated genes of ALP deficient CL1 with the upregulated genes identified during adipocytic differentiation of CL1. We identified 62 genes that were common (Figure 5(a), Table 4) and among these genes were genes related to metabolism (primarily lipid and carbohydrate) and transport including CYB5B, CHST1, TAP1, ATP8A1, LRP8, PLCD1, and FABP5 (Table 4). We further performed quantitative real-time PCR of ALP deficient CL1 cells during adipocyte differentiation. The following adipocyte-associated genes were downregulated: PPARγ2, LPL, and aP2 (Figure 5(b)), confirming impairment of adipocytic differentiation of ALP deficient CL1 cells.

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4. Discussion

We extensively studied two cell populations within cultured hBMSC that were identified based on differences in morphology. Cellular and molecular studies revealed differences in growth, differentiation capacity, and molecular signature. Our data support the notion of the presence of cellular and functional heterogeneity among cultured hBMSC.

Cellular heterogeneity of cultured hBMSC is recognized in an increasing number of reports. Several extrinsic and intrinsic factors may contribute to the observed hBMSC heterogeneity. Extrinsic factors include donor-to-donor variations in the number and quantity of initiating cells, which result in differences in cell growth rate and differentiation capacity [14, 15]. Intrinsic factors have been examined employing single cell clonal analysis and revealed variations in differentiation potential among individual colonies within hBMSC cultures ranging from the presence of cells with trilineage (osteoblast, adipocytes, and chondrocyte) potency to cells with null potency [16]. Also, variations in the ability of clonal cells to form heterotopic bone when implanted in vivo have been reported [5]. Our study corroborates these findings and provides more detailed cellular and molecular phenotyping of two examples of cell populations that exist within the heterogeneous hBMSC cultures [17].

Determining the molecular signature of CL1 and CL2 using whole genome microarray analysis showed enrichment of lineage-commitment associated genes in CL1. For example, insulin-like growth factor 5 (IGFBP5) and interleukin 6 (IL6) were 14.7- and 3.3-fold upregulated in CL1 cells, respectively. Both factors are expressed in osteoprogenitor cells and important for osteoblast maturation [18]. We also observed that periostin (POSTN) gene was highly upregulated in CL1 cells (15.6-fold); POSTN is a 90 kDa secreted protein, originally identified in murine osteoblast-like cells and is upregulated by PTH [19]. Several studies employing murine and human cells have revealed important role of POSTN in osteoblast differentiation and during development in intramembranous ossification [20–23]. Another factor identified in CL1 cells is nephroblastoma overexpression (NOV) which is a member of the Cyr 61, connective tissue growth factor (CNN) family. The CCN family of proteins promotes osteoblast differentiation through interaction with integrins, WNT, BMP, and NOTCH signaling pathways [24–26]. In addition, a large number of signaling molecules known to be regulators of hBMSC lineage specific differentiation, for example, insulin-like growth factors [27–29], WNT [30–32], and MAPK [33–35], were enriched in CL1 cells. In contrast, CL2 expressed high levels of immune-related genes which may explain the poor differentiation response to osteoblast or adipocyte lineage. In a recent study the authors used telomerized hBMSC and showed clearly a clonal population that had very low in vitro and in vivo differentiation ability; however they had enhanced immune-related features including high IL7 expression. These nullipotent cells expressed CD317 which was associated with remarkably high basal level expression of factors with a proinflammatory and antiviral function [17]. We observed that this molecular phenotype was associated with distinct ultrastructural characteristics of the cells. In particular, CL2 had abundant phagocytic vacuole, microvilli, and lysosomes, features reminiscent of ultrastructure of immune-regulatory cells. Our data thus support the increasingly recognized feature that hBMSC exhibit immune modulatory functions and a part of the innate immune response [17].

We observed that ALP protein expression and enzymatic activity were significantly different between CL1 and CL2 cell lines and were thus a potential marker that distinguishes different cell populations with progenitor functions (CL1) from cells with nonprogenitor functions (CL2). ALP is expressed in a wide variety of tissues, including kidneys, bone, and liver [36, 37], but tissue-nonspecific ALP (ALPL) is considered a commitment marker for osteoblastic lineage [13, 38]. However, in a recent study the authors examined the differentiation potential of a number of hMSC clones in vitro and in vivo and reported that the hMSC clones with high levels of ALP expression were committed to trilineage differentiation [13]. Our data corroborate and extend these findings by reporting the effects of siRNA-mediated inhibition of ALP that resulted in an impaired hBMSC differentiation not only to osteoblasts, but also to adipocytes. Also, our results corroborate earlier studies that demonstrated in human bone biopsies the presence of ALP expression in bone marrow adipocytic cells [13, 17]. All these data suggest that ALP is a “stemness” marker of hBMSC and not just an indicator of osteoblastic lineage commitment.

While CL1 and CL2 were isolated from telomerized hMSC cell line, they are relevant to normal human physiology. We observed that the molecular phenotypes of CL1 and CL2 were contained within the molecular signature of primary hBMSC suggesting that CL1 and CL2 represent cell populations within the heterogeneous cultures of hBMSC. We have also previously reported that the molecular phenotype and cellular responses of hMSC-TERT are similar to those of primary hMSC [10]. While we have identified ALP as a marker that can be used for a prospective identification of differentiation committed population of hBMSC, we identified additional distinctive molecular markers of the cells. For example, IGF-1, IGF-2, and IGF binding protein 5 were enriched in CL1 compared to CL2. IGFs and their binding proteins are very well-studied factors that play a role in hBMSC proliferation and osteoblast differentiation [18]. On the other hand, annexin A3 as well as several immune-related genes was highly enriched in CL2 compared to CL1. Future studies are needed to determine the functional significance of these molecules in relation to the functional identity of various cell populations within the hBMSC cultures and their usefulness as biomarkers to dissect the heterogeneous population of cultured hBMSC.

Our finding of the presence of functional diversity within hBMSC cultures that contain progenitor and nonprogenitor cell populations has a clinical relevance. It demonstrates that the progenitor function and the immune modulatory roles of hBMSC [39] are mediated by specific and distinguishable populations of hBMSC. Thus, future clinical studies employing hBMSC should attempt to administer the relevant subpopulation of hBMSC dependent on the experimental aim, as a novel approach to improving the clinical efficiency, instead of the current use of heterogeneous hBMSC populations.

Competing Interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Authors’ Contributions

Mona Elsafadi and Amer Mahmood contributed equally to this work.

Acknowledgments

These studies are supported by a grant from the College of Medicine Research Centre (CMRC), Deanship of Scientific Research, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The authors would like to thank Mr. Ali Al-Roalle for all his technical help. They thank Natalie Twine for advice on DNA microarray analysis.

Supplementary Materials

List of primers used for real time qPCR.

Supplementary Material

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Copyright © 2016 Mona Elsafadi et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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