A procedure for identifying stem cell compartments with multi-lineage differentiation potential.

Stem cells isolated from adult human tissue have received increasing attention because of their potential to repair and/or regenerate damaged tissue. However, identification and characterization of such cell populations have been limited due to the lack of adequate methodology for assessing their multi-lineage potential. In the present study, using adult human ligament tissue as a model, we have developed a combination of methods which together can be used to identify adult stem cell compartments based on their ability to undergo a range of differentiation pathways, including osteogenesis, adipogenesis, chondrogenesis, myogenesis, vasculogenesis, angiogenesis, neurogenesis and gliogenesis in vitro. This was carried out using the conventional reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction technique to assess the expression of selected key lineage-associated marker genes and by using histological, immunological and morphological criteria to assess characteristic features of lineage-specific 'terminal' differentiation in vitro.