Mesenchymal Stem Cells of Epicardial Adipose Tissue Show Differences in Immunophenotype and Osteogenic Potential in Patients with Coronary and Non-Coronary Heart Disease.

Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is a pressing issue in cardiology. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) may serve as a source of osteoblasts in the cardiovascular system. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the immunophenotype, proliferation, and osteogenic potential of EAT-MSCs from patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and those with aortic stenosis (AS). The immunophenotype of MSCs was analyzed based on key markers: CD105, CD90, CD73, CD31, CD34, CD45, HLA-DR. Cell proliferation was assessed by the doubling time of the population and the specific growth rate of the cultures. The osteogenic potential was evaluated by the expression levels of the RUNX2, SPP1, ALPL, and BGLAP genes using PCR, as well as the protein levels in supernatants via ELISA. Qualitative detection of osteogenic proteins in cells by immunofluorescence staining. The intensity of extracellular matrix mineralization was measured using photometric methods. CD73 expression in EAT-MSCs from CAD patients was nearly 50% lower than in EAT-MSC cultures from AS patients. Following osteogenic induction, EAT-MSCs from CAD patients showed increased expression of osteogenic marker genes and their corresponding proteins. The intensity of extracellular matrix mineralization by osteoblasts derived from EAT-MSCs of CAD patients was higher than in the comparison group. EAT-MSCs from CAD patients with coronary calcification demonstrated reduced CD73 expression in culture and enhanced osteogenic potential compared to patients without coronary artery involvement.