Expression of Mesenchymal Stem Cell (MSC) Markers and Differentiation Processes in Cultured Cells from Human Ethmoid Sinus and Inferior Turbinate Mucosa

• Published in: Nihon Bika Gakkai Kaishi (Japanese Journal of Rhinology) Vol. 63; no. 1; pp. 94 - 102
• Main Authors: Yamato, Kensuke, Okamoto, Yukako, Takeno, Sachio, Kawasumi, Tomohiro, Takemoto, Kota, Ishikawa, Chie, Ishino, Takashi, Yuge, Louis, Kurose, Tomoyuki, Teranishi, Masataka
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Japanese
• Published: Japan Rhinologic Society 2024
• Subjects: Ethmoid sinus mucosa; Inferior turbinate; Mesenchymal stem cells; Neuroregeneration; Osteogenesis
• ISSN: 0910-9153; 1883-7077
• DOI: 10.7248/jjrhi.63.94

Regenerative medicine using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which are somatic stem cells, has been studied in human subjects and clinical trials worldwide, mainly for neuronal disorders such as brain infarction and spinal cord injury. MSCs show organ-specific differentiation abilities based on the site of the harvested tissues.Here, we report isolation and characterization of MSCs from the human nose and paranasal sinus mucosa derived from surgical specimens with a normal sinus appearance. We examined expression of cell surface markers on mesenchymal progenitor cells (MPCs) and the capacity of these cells to differentiate into adipogenic, osteogenic, and neurogenic lineages.Cells from normal ethmoid sinus and inferior turbinate mucosa were harvested and successfully isolated and cultivated. Analysis of cell surface markers by flow cytometry indicated that most of the cells expressed CD44+, CD73+, CD90+, CD105+, CD34− and CD45−, consistent with MSCs. The MSC cultures were induced to differentiate toward osteoblasts and adipocytes, with observation of calcium deposition and lipid droplets, respectively. Additionally, neural induction confirmed by positive immunofluorescent staining of Tuj1, NF-M and NeuN was observed after 10 days of culture. There was no qualitative difference in surface marker expression and differentiation abilities between specimens derived from the ethmoid sinus and inferior turbinate mucosa.Human sinonasal mucosa-derived mesenchymal cells may be a uniquely promising source of MSCs due to their high proliferation ability and superior capacity for wide range differentiation. The underlying mechanisms remain to be investigated and a further study is needed to define the pathways involved in induction and to sustain the programmed cell maturation process.