Forced Expression of Transcription Factors in Human Mesenchymal Cells to Promote Proliferation and Osteogenic Differentiation

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) derived from human bone marrow have capability to differentiate into cells of mesenchymal lineage (7). Especially, the differentiation capability towards osteogenic cells is very well known. We have already used the patient's MSCs for the treatments of osteoarthritis (8), bone necrosis (2) and bone tumor cases (5). In most cases, the MSCs were culture- expanded from patient's fresh bone marrow cells, and then combined with porous ceramics. The MSCs/ceramics composites were further cultured in a medium containing dexamethasone to promote osteogenic differentiation of the MSCs. In this culture condition, we could detect bone forming osteoblasts together with mineralized bone matrix on the ceramics (7); therefore, we could fabricate cultured bone using patient's bone marrow and ceramics. However, the proliferation and differentiation capability of the MSCs are variable and many lose their capabilities after several passages. With the aim of conferring higher capability on human bone marrow MSCs, some of transcription factors could be introduced into the MSCs. This review paper demonstrates the importance of the transcription factors to promote the osteogenesis as well as proliferation capabilities of human MSCs.