Tissue distribution of mesenchymal stem cell marker Stro-1

Stem Cells Dev. 2011 Oct;20(10):1747-52. doi: 10.1089/scd.2010.0564. Epub 2011 Feb 24.

Abstract

Stro-1 is the best-known mesenchymal stem cell marker. However, despite its bone marrow origin, its localization in bone marrow has never been demonstrated. By immunofluorescence staining, we show here that ∼ 0.74% of nucleated bone marrow cells expressed Stro-1. We also found that ∼ 8.7% of CD34-expressing cells expressed Stro-1, and more than 20% of Stro-1-expressing cells did not express CD34. In adipose tissue Stro-1 expression was identified in the endothelium of arterioles and capillaries. Stro-1 was also localized in the endothelium of some but not all adipose tissue veins. Endothelial expression of Stro-1 was also identified in blood vessels in penis and in leg muscles, but not in other tested tissues. In these other tissues, Stro-1 was scantly expressed near but not in blood vessels. These variable and endothelial expression patterns of Stro-1 point to a need to re-examine published data that relied on Stro-1 as a mesenchymal stem cell marker.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue / cytology
  • Adipose Tissue / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Antigens, CD34 / metabolism
  • Antigens, Surface / metabolism*
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Bone Marrow Cells / cytology
  • Bone Marrow Cells / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Organ Specificity
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Tissue Distribution

Substances

  • Antigens, CD34
  • Antigens, Surface
  • Biomarkers
  • STRO-1 antigen, human
  • STRO-1 antigen, rat