The cytoskeleton of stromal cells from human bone marrow cultures resembles that of cultured smooth muscle cells
Charbord, P.; Lerat, H.; Newton, I.; Tamayo, E.; Gown, A.M.; Singer, J.W.; Herve, P.
Experimental Hematology 18(4): 276-282
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0301-472X PMID: 2182332 Document Number: 355888
The cytoskeleton of stromal cells from the adherent layer of human Dexter-type cultures has been studied. It was found that the stress fibers contained actin specific for smooth muscle, mainly the .alpha.SM actin isoform. The intermediate filaments consisted of vimentin, and there were no desmin filaments. This pattern was similar to that of cultured vascular smooth muscle cells. The detectability of the .alpha.SM actin isoform is coincident with the appearance of stromal cells in long-term marrow cultures and may provide a useful marker for stromal cells. The potential in vivo cellular counterpart for stromal cells generated in the Dexter-type culture system is discussed.