Surface Antigen-Based Identification of In Vitro Expanded Skeletal Muscle-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal/Stem Cells Using Flow Cytometry

Abstract

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) can be isolated from several connective tissues in the adult organism by harnessing their propensity for plastic adherence in vitro. Upon culture expansion, the resulting cell cultures are composed of many different cell types at different stages of differentiation. Hence, their identity must be confirmed. Flow cytometry is an indispensable method for accurate quantification of MSC surface antigens. Here, we present a protocol that uses flow cytometry for the identification of MSCs based on the set of surface antigens required by the International Society for Cellular Therapy.