An ideal mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) source for bone tissue engineering has yet to be identified. Such an MSC population would be easily harvested in abundance, with minimal morbidity and with high purity. Our laboratories have identified perivascular stem cells (PSCs) as a candidate cell source. PSCs are readily isolatable (through fluorescent activated cell sorting) from adipose tissue and have been previously shown to be indistinguishable in phenotype and differentiation potential to MSCs.

In the present study we indicate 3 different surgical defects models that could be used with PSCs. These include an intramuscular implantation model, a calvarial defect model, and a femoral segmental defect model. The video article shows the proper procedure for performance of these bone formation assays.