Table 2.

Phenotype tests for mesenchymal stem cells and known MSC phenotypic characteristics

Phenotype test	Known MSC phenotype	Method(s) used	Reference(s)
Colony formation	Will form fibroblastic colonies after isolation	CFU-F assay	22, 44
Immunophenotype	CD11−, CD14−, CD18−, CD31−, CD34−, CD40−, CD45−, CD56−, CD80−, CD86−, MHCII−, CD29+, CD44+, CD71+, CD73+, CD90+, CD105+, CD106+, CD120a+, CD124, CD166+, Stro-1+, ICAM-1+, MHCI+	FACS	45, 46
In vitro multipotency	Will differentiate down multiple pathways: Osteogenic Chondrogenic Adipogenic	Induction via specialized media	47
Ectopic marrow formation	Will form ectopic bone marrow in the presence of bone minerals	Subcutaneous transplantation, kidney capsule transplantation, diffusion chamber transplantation	48, 49
In vivo multipotency	Subset of MSCs, termed MAPCs, are capable of contributing to all somatic cell types in mice	Blastocyst transplantation	50

Abbreviations: CFU-F, colony forming units-fibroblastic; FACS, fluorescent activated cell sorting; MAPC, multipotent adult progenitor cell.