Expression of CD146 on Human Placenta-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells and their Osteogenic Differentiation Capacity are Modulated by Factors Contained in Platelet Lysate

Expression of CD146 on bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (bmMSCs) is considered a marker for their multipotent differentiation potential and in situ localisation in the stem cell niche. We recently observed an elevated expression of CD146 on human bmMSCs upon expansion in medium enriched with platelet lysate. We therefore investigated if CD146 expression followed comparable paths on human placenta-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (pMSCs). In contrast to bmMSCs, pMSCs expanded in medium with platelet lysate expressed significantly less CD146 and failed to undergo osteogenic differentiation. We conclude that the expression of the stem cell marker CD146 on pMSCs and their osteogenic differentiation potential are modulated by factors contained in platelet lysate.