Bone marrow cells reside deep inside bone cavities in the most protected part of the body and are redundant throughout the organism. This preferential status reflects the primary role these cells play in the survival of the organism. Tissue repair is a dynamic self-organizing process that relies on cell mobility and growth factor production from cells within a biologic scaffold. Platelets and Cells from Peripheral Blood Initiate the Inflammatory Process of the Healing Cascade and release cytokines to cause marrow cells to mobilize and home to the injury site (vasculogenesis). Marrow stem cell and marrow complimentary cell mediated vasculogenesis and cell-to-cell contact with immune system stem cells transition the Healing Cascade from the inflammatory phase to the proliferation and remodeling phase.

Hematopoietic Stem Cells

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) has the ability to self-renew and to replenish all blood cell types (multipotency).  HSCs can replenish monocytes, macrophages, erythrocytes, megakaryocytes, platelets, neutrophils, basophils, eosinophils, dendritic cells and lymphoid lineage cells.  These cell types are crucial for the regenerative processes needed for active tissue repair. Hematopoietic stem cells are produced in the pelvic, femur and sternal bone marrow and possess long-term and short-term regenerative capacities. 

Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are multipotent stromal cells that can differentiate into a variety of cell types to include cartilage, bone and adipose tissue.  Mesenchymal stem cells are found in very small quantities in bone marrow aspirate, however, viable mesenchymal stem cells has powerful proliferative capabilities allowing it to be an effective biologic for regenerative therapies.

Total Nucleated Cells

Total nucleated cell count by any method is a count of cells with nuclei. In order to properly represent the TNC cell count a correction calculation that removes nucleated red blood cells (nRBCs) is performed. Total nucleated cells are a gross indicator of the quality of the bone marrow concentrate product.