Frank, Cyril B.Hart, David A.Kutcher, Josh2017-12-182017-12-182012http://hdl.handle.net/1880/105759Bibliography: p. 89-106A few pages are in colour.Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were isolated from porcine synovial fluid (SF), and clonal populations derived through limiting dilution. Eighteen clones from three pigs (6 per pig) were then analyzed for their proliferative and differentiation characteristics. All 18 clones were able to undergo at least 25 population doublings, suggesting a high self-renewal capability. Their differentiation properties were assessed using histological stains and RT-PCR. Less than 50% of clones were capable of osteogenic differentiation, while greater than 75% were bipotent chondro-adipo progenitors; a phenotype never reported in other tissue types. In addition, all but one clone differentiated into chondrocytes, indicating an enhanced potential for cartilage regeneration. Despite using clonal populations, a great deal of variation was present between clones showing distinct differentiation potentials. The presented study suggests that clonal analysis is an effective method of identifying subpopulations in porcine SF, and that SF-derived MSCs may be an ideal tissue source for regenerating cartilage.x, 106 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm.engUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.master thesis10.11575/PRISM/4758