Comparison of the characteristics and multipotential and in vivo cartilage formation capabilities between porcine adipose-derived stem cells and porcine skin-derived stem cell-like cells

To compare the characteristics and multipotential and in vivo cartilage formation capabilities of porcine adipose-derived stem cells (pASCs) with those of porcine skin-derived stem cell-like cells (pSSCs). Three 6-month-old female pigs and four 6-week-old female athymic mice. Adipose and skin tissue specimens were obtained from each pig following slaughter and digested to obtain pASCs and pSSCs. For each cell type, flow cytometry and reverse transcription PCR assays were performed to characterize the expression of cell surface and mesenchymal stem cell markers, and in vitro cell cultures were performed to determine the adipogenic, osteogenic, and chondrogenic capabilities. Each cell type was then implanted into athymic mice to determine the extent of in vivo cartilage formation after 6 weeks. The cell surface and mesenchymal stem cell marker expression patterns, multipotential capability, and extent of in vivo cartilage formation did not differ significantly between pASCs and pSSCs. Results suggested that pSSCs may be a viable alternative to pASCs as a source of progenitor cells for tissue engineering in regenerative medicine.