Impact of the Process Variables on the Yield of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells from Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate

Abstract: This study aims to identify the role of subjective factors (age, sex, and comorbidities) and procedure-specific factors (aspiration volume) in influencing the yield of progenitor cells in bone marrow aspiration concentrate (BMAC) harvested from the iliac crest. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 58 patients (male:female = 31:27; mean age: 52.56 ± 18.14 years) who underwent BMAC therapy between January 2020 and June 2021. The factors analyzed include individual factors such as age, sex, and comorbid conditions, and procedural factors such as aspirate volume. The mononuclear cell (MNC) count and colony-forming unit (CFU) assay were used to assess the yield of progenitors in the aspirate. Pearson’s correlation test was performed for the age, aspirate volume, and outcome parameters, such as MNC and CFU. We used the chi-square test to analyze the role of sex and comorbidities on cellular yield. The mean volume of aspirate used for BMAC therapy was 66.65 (±17.82) mL. The mean MNC count of the BMAC was 19.94 (±16.34) × 106 cells, which
formed 11 (±12) CFUs. Evidence of statistically significant positive associations was noted between the CFUs developed from the BMAC and the MNC count within them (r = 0.95, p < 0.001). The sex of the individual did not play any significant role in MNC count (p = 0.092) or CFUs formed (p = 0.448). The age of the individual showed evidence of a statistically significant negative association with the MNC count (r = −0.681, p < 0.001) and CFUs (r = −0.693, p < 0.001), as did the aspiration volume with the MNC count (r = −0.740, p < 0.001) and CFUs (r = −0.629, p < 0.001). We also noted a significant reduction in the MNC count (p = 0.002) and CFUs formed (p = 0.004) when the patients
presented comorbidities. Individual factors such as age, comorbid conditions, and procedure factors such as aspirate volume significantly affected the yield of progenitor cells in the BMAC. The sex of the individual did not influence the yield of progenitor cells in BMAC.