Immortalized Human Adipose-derived Stromal Cells – Bmi-1/hTERT

With its ability to maintain multipotency, mesenchymal stem cells provide new venues for cell-based therapy in restoration of damaged or diseased tissue. Most clinical studies utilize bone marrow-derived stem cells, however adipose-derived stromal cells (ASCs) is emerging as an alternative source for their ease of harvesting. The Immortalized Adipose-derived Stromal Cells- Bmi-1/hTERT is derived from human ASCs that have maintained their primary phenotypes and their ability to respond to osteogenic and adipogenic inductions. After 3 weeks of induced osteogenic differentiation, the immortalized ASCs show nuclear translocation of RUNX2, upregulation of alkaline phosphatase and calcium deposition. Furthermore, the immortalized ASCs-Bmi-1/hTERT exhibit normal karyotype and has been shown to exceed 140 population doublings, making these cells suitable for studies in regenerative medicine. Real Time PCR, immunofluorescence, and telemorase activity was used to quantify Bmi-1 and/or hTERT gene expression in the immortalized cell line.