Abstract: Abstract Objective To isolate mesenchymal stem-like cells from human esophageal carcinoma and to identify their biological characteristics. Methods hEC-MSCs were isolated by collagenase digestion.Gene expression were detected by RT-PCR; surface antigen markers and cell cycle were determined by flow cytometry. Growth curve was portrayed and chromosme karyotype was assayed.Multilineage differentiation capacity of the cells was tested by inducing differentiation toward osteoblasts and cardiomyocytes. Results hEC-MSCs isolated by collagenase tended to be long and stringy in shape and multiplied rapidly.The cells expressed related gene Oct-4,Nanog,vimentin and N-cadherin,but not E-cadherin；FCM results showed that The cells expressed CD13, CD29,CD44 and CD105,but did not express CD33,CD45, CD133,CD14,CD34 and HLA-DR.Cell cycle analysis revealed that the majority of cells stood in G0/G1 phase while a small population of cells were in S and G2/M phase.The cells contain 46 chromosomes with normal Karyotype and they have the potentials differentiated into osteoblasts and cardiomyocytes.Conclusion hEC-MSCs can be isolated efficiently by collagenase digestion and they have important significance for further studying the microenvironment of esophageal carcinoma.

Key words: Key words esophageal carcinoma, hEC-MSCs, collagenase, identification