An effective method for adenoviral-mediated delivery of small interfering RNA into mesenchymal stem cells

Modification of Smad1 linker modulates BMP-mediated osteogenesis of adult human MSC

We examined whether bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-mediated osteogenesis of adult human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is regulated by extracellular signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation of Smad1. Adenoviral constructs carrying either unmodified human Smad1 or Smad1 mutated in the linker region to preclude extracellular signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation were expressed in human and rodent cells. Unlike unmodified Smad1, expression of mutated Smad1 facilitated BMP-stimulated expression of osteoblast markers in human MSC but had no effect on either rat MSC or mouse pre-osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. Expression of mutated Smad1 in adult human MSC cultures also resulted in increased nuclear accumulation of BMP-activated Smads and elevated gene transcripts characteristic of differentiating osteoblasts. These results may partly explain the poor efficacy of BMP in some human bone therapies and indicate an important mechanism regulating BMP-mediated bone formation in adults.

Lentiviral vector mediated modification of mesenchymal stem cells & enhanced survival in an in vitro model of ischaemia

Introduction

A combination of gene and cell therapies has the potential to significantly enhance the therapeutic value of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The development of efficient gene delivery methods is essential if MSCs are to be of benefit using such an approach. Achieving high levels of transgene expression for the required period of time, without adversely affecting cell viability and differentiation capacity, is crucial. In the present study, we investigate lentiviral vector-mediated genetic modification of rat bone-marrow derived MSCs and examine any functional effect of such genetic modification in an in vitro model of ischaemia.

Methods

Transduction efficiency and transgene persistence of second and third generation rHIV-1 based lentiviral vectors were tested using reporter gene constructs. Use of the rHIV-pWPT-EF1-α-GFP-W vector was optimised in terms of dose, toxicity, cell species, and storage. The in vivo condition of ischaemia was modelled in vitro by separation into its associated constituent parts i.e. hypoxia, serum and glucose deprivation, in which the effect of therapeutic gene over-expression on MSC survival was investigated.

Results

The second generation lentiviral vector rHIV-pWPT-EF1-α-GFP-W, was the most efficient and provided the most durable transgene expression of the vectors tested. Transduction with this vector did not adversely affect MSC morphology, viability or differentiation potential, and transgene expression levels were unaffected by cryopreservation of transduced cells. Over-expression of HSP70 resulted in enhanced MSC survival and increased resistance to apoptosis in conditions of hypoxia and ischaemia. MSC differentiation capacity was significantly reduced after oxygen deprivation, but was preserved with HSP70 over-expression.

Conclusions

Collectively, these data validate the use of lentiviral vectors for efficient in vitro gene delivery to MSCs and suggest that lentiviral vector transduction can facilitate sustained therapeutic gene expression, providing an efficient tool for ex vivo MSC modification. Furthermore, lentiviral mediated over-expression of therapeutic genes in MSCs may provide protection in an ischaemic environment and enable MSCs to function in a regenerative manner, in part through maintaining the ability to differentiate. This finding may have considerable significance in improving the efficacy of MSC-based therapies.

Coculture of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and nucleus pulposus cells modulate gene expression profile without cell fusion

STUDY DESIGN

Changes in gene expression profile and cell fusion of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and nucleus pulposus cells (NPC) after coculture were analyzed.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the mechanisms of the interaction between NPC and MSC such us differentiation, stimulatory effect, and cell fusion.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Introduction of exogenous cells to supplement and replenish intervertebral disc cell population offers a potential approach to treat intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). Recent evidences showed that intradiscal injection of MSC effectively alter the course of IDD in vivo, and the regenerative potential may result from up-regulated extracellular matrix protein synthesis mediated by MSC and NPC interaction.

METHODS

Using a double labeling cell system and flow activated cell sorting, we quantitatively analyzed changes in the gene expression profile of human male MSC and female NPC after coculture in a 3-dimensional system that allows short distance paracrine interactions typical of the nucleus pulposus. Furthermore, we analyzed for cell fusion in the cell interaction by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for X and Y chromosomes, using a 3-dimensional culture system to allow cell-to-cell interactions conducive to cell fusion.

RESULTS

Two weeks of coculture cell interaction in a 3-dimensional environment induces a change in MSCs towards a more chondrogenic gene expression profile indicating MSC differentiation, and NPC gene expression changes in matrix and chondrogenic genes demonstrating only a modest trophic effect of MSC on NPC. Moreover, FISH analysis demonstrated that cell fusion is not responsible for MSC plasticity in the interaction with NPCs.

CONCLUSION

This study clarifies the mechanism of MSCs and NPCs interaction in a 3-dimensional environment, excluding cell fusion. These data support the use of undifferentiated MSC for stem cell therapy for IDD treatment.