Objective      To select cartilage endplate-derived stem cells by fibronectin differential adhesion assay

to evaluate the efficiency

and to observe the preliminary biological properties of obtained stem cells.       Methods      The samples of intervertebral disc cartilage endplate were collected from spine fusion surgery

and primary cartilage endplate cells were obtained by mechanical method combined with collagenase. Primitive cells expanding to passage 2 were transferred to culture flasks coated with fibronectin. After 20 min the non-adherent cells and media were transferred to a second flask to incubate for 40 min

and both of the two flasks were added with fresh media and cultured after the media and non-adherent cells in the second flask were removed. The cells after selection were detected by flow cytometry and were induced to differentiate into osteoblasts

chondrocytes and adipocytes.       Results      The discrepancy of cell morphology among cells of passage 2 was observed

but the cells became comparatively uniform after selection. The results of flow cytometry showed these cells were positive for 3 cell markers including CD73

CD105 and CD90

but negative for CD34 and CD45. The percentages of CD73- and CD90-positive cells were more than 95%

while the percentage of CD105-positive cells was more than 82%. The cells could differentiate into osteoblasts

chondrocytes and adipocytes.       Conclusion      The results of cartilage endplate-derived stem cells obtained by fibronectin differential adhesion assay fulfill the majority of criteria used to define mesenchymal stem cells stated by the International Society for Cellular Therapy. By the method we can obtain cartilage endplate-derived stem cells efficiently and reliably.