Lectin Histochemistry Showed a Heterogeneous Population of Cells Among Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Isolated From Adipose Tissue

Adipose tissue as an appropriate source of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) has the potential to differentiate into multiple lineages. Glycoconjugates content of the MSCs can be considered as biomarkers in self-renewal, pluripotency and differentiation processes. In this study, the lectin profile of MSCs isolated from adipose tissue was detected and according to that, a subpopulation was determined. Materials & Methods: MSCs were isolated from adipose tissue by explanting of the tissue pieces. The FITC-conjugated lectins, WGA, UEA, PNA, BSA and PWM were used to detect the terminal sugar residues. The cells were then counterstained with DAPI. The intensity of the reaction was evaluated by ImageJ software. The cells were also stained with PAS method. MSCs were reacted with all lectins with different intensity of the reactions. The cells reacted with WGA, UEA, and BSA “strongly” and with PWM “moderately” and with PNA with “weak” intensity. The morphological analysis of the isolated MSCs revealed the existence of the two different cell types in the cultures. Two types of cells were detected according to nucleus size and lectin reactivity. The cells with large nuclei constitute 20.62% of the total cells and stained significant more intensity by UEA and less intense with PWM (both P=0.014) and PNA (P=0.044). Flow cytometry with CD34 shows that these large cells were not endothelial cells. The MSCs derived from adipose tissue seem to be a heterogeneous populations and lectin profile of the cells showed that they are different in the expression of the glycoconjugates.