Review Article

Molecular Profiles of Cell-to-Cell Variation in the Regenerative Potential of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells

Table 1

Representative surface markers of cell subsets for heterogeneous MSCs.

Cell subsetSurface markerCommentsReferences

Fast growing/multipotent MSCsLow-affinity nerve growth factor receptor (CD271)Isolation marker that is downregulated in expanded MSCs[39, 43, 44, 46, 94]
Melanoma cell adhesion molecule (CD146)A pericyte marker expressed in primary and expanded MSCs[35, 38, 40, 95, 106]
Neuron-glial antigen 2 (NG2)Upregulated in expanded MSCs. Similar expression in tri- and bipotent MSCs[35, 47]
Stage-specific embryonic antigen-4 (SSEA-4)An embryonic stem cell marker expressed on primitive MSCs[17, 48, 49]
STRO-1Clonogenic MSCs constitute a small fraction of the isolated stromal cells[36, 37, 107]

Osteogenic MSCsTissue nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP)Selects for MSCs with increased mineralization and expression of osteogenic-related genes[67]

Chondrogenic MSCsNeural cell adhesion molecule (CD56)Isolates chrondroprogenitors but is downregulated in expanded MSCs[70, 71]
Receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 2 (ROR2)Isolates chrondroprogenitors from confluent, undifferentiated MSCs[65]

Triploblastic MUSE cellsStage-specific embryonic antigen-3 (SSEA-3)Selected cells exhibit triploblastic differentiation at the single-cell level[74ā€“79]

Immunoregulatory MSCsTetherin (bone marrow stromal antigen 2, CD317)MSCs isolated for tetherin expression have proinflammatory properties and may participate in pathogen clearance[96]
Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (CD106)Selects MSCs that suppress inflammatory cytokine and stimulate regulatory T cells[98ā€“100]

Aging MSCsDecoy TRAIL receptor (CD264)Upregulated concurrently with p21 and remains elevated through senescence[16]

MSCs: mesenchymal stem cells. MUSE: multilineage-differentiating stress enduring.