Comparing bone marrow mesenchymal cells and mesothelial cells of peritoneal fluid in expressing molecules of major histocompatibility complex (MHC)

Mesothelium is composed of a single layer of mesothelial cells attached to a thin basement membrane supported by subserosal connective tissue; it plays an important role in homeostasis, wound healing, fluid transport and inflammation. The introduction of peritoneal dialysis (PD) as a modality of renal replacement therapy has provoked much interest in the biology of peritoneal mesothelial cell. This study was conducted to investigate the nature and plasticity of mesothelial cells isolated from peritoneal dialysed fluid (PDF), from patients on dialysis. Cell populations from peritoneal fluid of dialysed patients showing no evidence of peritonitis, and mesenchymal cells isolated from the bone marrow were cultured and screened for dominant surface markers by cell culture and immunofluorescence; MHC II, (DR, DQ), and MHC I were detected by flow cytometry method. Our results showed both bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and mesenchymal cells obtained from peritoneal fluid do not express MHC II; also, peritoneal mesothelial cells have limited expression of MHC I. The use of peritoneal mesothelium as an option for grafting and regenerative therapy needs to be investigated in intensive research.