Cells Isolated from Cadaveric Bone Marrow are Safe for Use in Bone Healing and Effective at Promoting Osteogenic Re-construction

The efficacy and immune-modulation of mesenchymal stem cells is well documented. The issue of obtaining mesenchymal stem cells without patient risk, extensive intra-operative procedure, cell manipulation or exposure of cells to harmful reagents remains an issue. This study was designed to test the viability, composition and osteogenic potential of cells derived from cadaveric bone marrow by a new process. Vertebral bone from cadavers was collected within 24 hours of death, processed by a new procedure of tumbling and collection, and evaluated for viability, marker expression, cell composition, and inflammatory properties at various stages of the isolation process and following cryopreservation. Viability was excellent in all fractions and at all stages of the study. Cell staining and microscopic observation showed increased erythrocyte content in the first tumble of bone for marrow extraction, as well as gross observation of debris. Cryopreservation favored the preservation of CD45-/CD105+ and GlycoA-/STRO-1+ mesenchymal stem cells at the expense of platelets, red blood cells, white blood cells and neutrophils. The resulting cell solution contains a percentage of mesenchymal stem cells far above that required for immune modulation. A mixed lymphocyte reaction assay showed no inflammatory response to this cell composition. The cells produced and preserved in this manner are viable, should elicit no immune response, suppress recipient immune responses and osteogenically differentiate.