The Biological Fitness of Bone Progenitor Cells in Reamer/Irrigator/Aspirator Waste.

The biological waste collected during use of the Reamer/Irrigator/Aspirator (RIA; DePuy Synthes) has been described as an abundant source of bone progenitor cells with a comparable osteogenic gene profile to donor-matched iliac crest bone marrow (IC-BM). However, it is not clear whether these RIA-waste (RIA-W) cells are biologically fit. We aimed to evaluate the stress levels and functions of RIA-W progenitor cells. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were tested in freshly collected bone progenitor cells (defined as CD45CD271 cells) using flow cytometry. ROS levels induced in these cells by hypoxia and/or oxidative stress as well as by an experimental simulation of the RIA procedure were also measured. Furthermore, the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) expression levels, proliferation, and senescence of culture-expanded RIA-W and IC-BM mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) were compared. RIA-W and donor-matched IC-BM CD45CD271 cells were 97% and 98% viable, but the ROS levels were significantly higher for RIA-W cells than for IC-BM cells (p = 0.0020). Also, ROS induced by hypoxia, oxidative stress, and both were higher for RIA-W cells (p = 0.0312, 0.0156, and 0.0703, respectively). Dilution with saline solution, suction pressure, and irrigation reduced cell viability, with a positive correlation with the ROS level (p = 0.0035). The RIA-W and IC-BM colony-forming cells (average, 96,100 and 11,500, respectively) showed comparable ALP levels. Furthermore, culture-expanded RIA-W and IC-BM MSCs showed comparable ROS levels, ALP levels, susceptibility to death, and proliferation. Although freshly collected RIA-W bone progenitor cells appeared to be transiently stressed, these cells were as viable as IC-BM cells and present in greater numbers. The proliferation and osteogenesis of both cell types were comparable. The RIA waste bag contains bone progenitor cells with promising potential for regenerative applications, and should not be wasted.