Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell has poor proliferation but non-tumorigenicity in cancer environment

Abstract

Background: To investigate the biological characteristics and capacity of tumorigenicity of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in the cancer environment. Methods: Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells from 45 cancer patients and 20 non-cancer adults were separated and identified. Their biological characteristics and tumorigenicity ability were compared. Results: Compared with BMSCs of non-cancer adults, BMSCs of hepatocellular carcinoma and leukemia patients presented a lower growth curve, longer first passage time, and fewer passaging generation numbers. However, both shared the same appearances and surface markers. Neither of these BMSCs formed tumor in vivo and in vitro. The sequences of exons 5-8 of the P53 gene, exons 19-21 of the Rb1 gene and, exons 1-2 of the P16 gene in BMSCs were all consistent with the wide types, without any mutations found. Conclusion: The biological characteristics of BMSCs from cancer patients changed in the cancer environment. The BMSCs of cancer patients are non-tumorigenic and safe for clinical transplantation within 15 generations.