Human BM ALDH^hi cells are enriched for multipotent HCFCs and MCFCs. (A) ALDH^hi cells cultured in methylcellulose media established hematopoietic colonies (1 HCFC in 8 cells) at an increased frequency compared with ALDH^lo cells (1 HCFC in 2500 cells; *P < .05, n = 6). (B) ALDH^hi cells cultured in Amniomax media established mesenchymal colonies (1 MCFC in 1370 cells) at an increased frequency compared with ALDH^lo cells (1 MCFC in 2.5 × 10⁴ cells; *P < .05, n = 5). ALDH^lo- and ALDH^hi-derived MCFCs (C,D) were differentiated into adipocytes (E,F), osteocytes (G,H), or chondrocytes (I,J). ALDH^hi-derived MCFCs demonstrated multilineage differentiation forming adipocytes (Oil Red O⁺), osteocytes (Alizarin Red⁺), and chondrocytes (Safranin O⁺) in secondary cultures. ALDH^lo-derived MCFCs showed reduced differentiative capacity (n = 3).