Expression of cytochrome P450 and glutathione S-transferase in human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells

Currently several studies are being carried out on various properties of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) however there are a few investigations about drug metabolizing properties of these cells. The aim of this study was to measure the key factors involved in drug metabolism in human bone marrow MSCs. For this purpose, cellular glutathione (GSH), glutathione S-transferase (GSTs) and cytochrome P450 class 3A4 (CYP3A4) were detected in these cells. Results showed that CYP3A4 and GSTA1-1 mRNA are not detectable in MSCs however mRNA specific for GSTP1-1 was considerably expressed in MSCs. GSH content and GST activity was also detected in MSCs. These data suggest that human bone marrow MSCs possess the drug metabolizing activity which may be useful in handling drugs and chemotherapeutic agents passing to the bone marrow.