Chorionic and amniotic placental membrane-derived stem cells, from gestational diabetic women, have distinct insulin secreting cell differentiation capacities

Protective effects of villi mesenchymal stem cells on human umbilical vein endothelial cells by inducing SPOCD1 expression in cases of gestational diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is characterized by a lack of response to insulin in pregnancies, and often accompanied by severe complications. GDM is associated with structural and functional alterations, particularly endothelial dysfunction, in various tissues. This study is aimed to investigate the effect of placental mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on the endothelial biological function of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and their molecular mechanisms.

METHODS

Villi mesenchymal stem cells (VMSCs) were co-cultured with HUVECs, and transcriptomic analysis of differential genes was performed in HUVECs under high-glucose induction. Lentiviral transfection was performed to construct HUVECs with stable knockdown or overexpression of SPOCD1. The immunohistochemical assays were used to detect the expression of SPOCD1 in GDM patients. TUNEL fluorescence staining was applied for detection of the HUVEC apoptosis. β galactosidase staining assay was performed to detect the cell senescence. Electron microscopy was used to detect the cell pyroptosis. qRT-PCR and western blot assays were conducted for identifying the mRNA & protein expressions of genes.

RESULTS

VMSCs, when co-cultured with HUVECs, could inhibit the apoptosis, pyroptosis and senescence induced by high-glucose condition in HUVECs. Transcriptomic results showed an upregulation of SPOCD1 expression induced by VMSCs in HUVECs. Overexpression of SPOCD1 inhibited high-level glucose-induced apoptosis, pyroptosis and senescence in HUVECs via the β-catenin pathway.

CONCLUSION

VMSCs induce β-catenin activation by upregulating the expression of SPOCD1 in HUVECs, which ultimately inhibits high-level glucose-induced apoptosis, pyroptosis and senescence in HUVECs. This observation provides potential therapeutic insight for future GDM treatment.

Human placenta mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosome shuttling microRNA-130b-3p from gestational diabetes mellitus patients targets ICAM-1 and perturbs human umbilical vein endothelial cell angiogenesis

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the roles of miR-130b-3p and ICAM-1 in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and their potential association.

METHODS

Human placenta mesenchymal stem cells (PlaMSCs) were isolated from GDM patients, and the effects of the PlaMSCs from GDM patients (GDM-MSCs) and the exosomes secreted by GDM-MSCs on human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis were detected. Next, GDM-MSCs were transfected with miR-130b-3p antagomir to modify miR-130b-3p expression in GDM-MSCs-derived exosomes, and the exosomes with modified miR-130b-3p expression were cultured with HUVECs to evaluate exosomal miR-130b-3p on HUVEC function. Furthermore, a target gene of miR-130b-3p was predicted and assessed. The miR-130b-3p-modified exosomes were cultured with HUVECs transfected with ICAM-1 shRNA to determine the effect of miR-130b-3p-ICAM-1 crosstalk on HUVEC function. Additionally, a GDM mouse model was conducted to further study the effect of miR-130b-3p in GDM in vivo.

RESULTS

GDM-MSCs inhibited HUVEC proliferation and angiogenesis. The elevated expression of miR-130b-3p was found in GDM-MSCs-derived exosomes. GDM-MSCs-derived exosomes repressed the proliferation and angiogenesis of HUVECs and miR-130b-3p inhibition could restrain the inhibition of the exosomes on HUVEC function. Mechanistically, miR-130b-3p downregulated ICAM-1 expression in a targeted manner, and thereby enhanced HUVEC proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis and increased the expression of angiogenesis-related factors. Moreover, miR-130b-3p inhibition promoted placental angiogenesis in GDM mice and upregulated ICAM-1 expression.

CONCLUSION

Conclusively, GDM-MSCs-derived exosomes shuttling miR-130b-3p repressed proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis of HUVECs by regulating ICAM-1 expression.

The angiogenic properties of human amniotic membrane stem cells are enhanced in gestational diabetes and associate with fetal adiposity

Background

An environment of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) can modify the phenotype of stem cell populations differentially according to their placental localization, which can be useful to study the consequences for the fetus. We sought to explore the effect of intrauterine GDM exposure on the angiogenic properties of human amniotic membrane stem cells (hAMSCs).

Methods

We comprehensively characterized the angiogenic phenotype of hAMSCs isolated from 14 patients with GDM and 14 controls with normal glucose tolerance (NGT). Maternal and fetal parameters were also recorded. Hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia and palmitic acid were used to in vitro mimic a GDM-like pathology. Pharmacological and genetic inhibition of protein function was used to investigate the molecular pathways underlying the angiogenic properties of hAMSCs isolated from women with GDM.

Results

Capillary tube formation assays revealed that GDM-hAMSCs produced a significantly higher number of nodes (P = 0.004), junctions (P = 0.002) and meshes (P < 0.001) than equivalent NGT-hAMSCs, concomitant with an increase in the gene/protein expression of FGFR2, TGFBR1, SERPINE1 and VEGFA. These latter changes were recapitulated in NGT-hAMSCs exposed to GDM-like conditions. Inhibition of the protein product of SERPINE1 (plasminogen activator inhibitor 1, PAI-1) suppressed the angiogenic properties of GDM-hAMSCs. Correlation analyses revealed that cord blood insulin levels in offspring strongly correlated with the number of nodes (r = 0.860; P = 0.001), junctions (r = 0.853; P = 0.002) and meshes (r = 0.816; P = 0.004) in tube formation assays. Finally, FGFR2 levels correlated positively with placental weight (r = 0.586; P = 0.028) and neonatal adiposity (r = 0.496; P = 0.014).

Conclusions

GDM exposure contributes to the angiogenic abilities of hAMSCs, which are further related to increased cord blood insulin and fetal adiposity. PAI-1 emerges as a potential key player of GDM-induced angiogenesis.

Role of Hyperglycemia in the Senescence of Mesenchymal Stem Cells

The regenerative and immunomodulatory properties of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have laid a sound foundation for their clinical application in various diseases. However, the clinical efficiency of MSC treatments varies depending on certain cell characteristics. Among these, the roles of cell aging or senescence cannot be excluded. Despite their stemness, evidence of senescence in MSCs has recently gained attention. Many factors may contribute to the senescence of MSCs, including MSC origin (biological niche), donor conditions (age, obesity, diseases, or unknown factors), and culture conditions in vitro. With the rapidly increasing prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), the effects of hyperglycemia on the senescence of MSCs should be evaluated to improve the application of autologous MSCs. This review aims to present the available data on the senescence of MSCs, its relationship with hyperglycemia, and the strategies to suppress the senescence of MSCs in a hyperglycemic environment.

Transcriptional profiling reveals altered biological characteristics of chorionic stem cells from women with gestational diabetes

Background

Gestational diabetes (GDM) is a common complication of pregnancy. The impact of pregnancy complications on placental function suggests that extraembryonic stem cells in the placenta may also be affected during pregnancy. Neonatal tissue-derived stem cells, with the advantages of their differentiation capacity and non-invasive isolation processes, have been proposed as a promising therapeutic avenue for GDM management through potential cell therapy approaches. However, the influence of GDM on autologous stem cells remains unclear. Thus, studies that provide comprehensive understanding of stem cells isolated from women with GDM are essential to guide future clinical applications.

Methods

Human chorionic membrane-derived stem cells (CMSCs) were isolated from placentas of healthy and GDM pregnancies. Transcriptional profiling was performed by DNA microarray, and differentially regulated genes between GDM- and Healthy-CMSCs were used to analyse molecular functions, differentiation, and pathway enrichment. Altered genes and biological functions were validated via real-time PCR and in vitro assays.

Results

GDM-CMSCs displayed, vs. Healthy-CMSCs, 162 upregulated genes associated with increased migration ability, epithelial development, and growth factor-associated signal transduction while the 269 downregulated genes were strongly linked to angiogenesis and cellular metabolic processes. Notably, significantly reduced expression of detoxification enzymes belonging to the aldehyde dehydrogenase gene families (ALDH1A1/1A2, ALDH2, ALDH3) accounted for downregulation across several metabolic pathways. ALDH activity and inhibitor assays indicated that reduced gene expression of ALDHs affected ALDH enzymatic functions and resulted in oxidative stress dysregulation in GDM-CMSCs.

Conclusion

Our combined transcriptional analysis and in vitro functional characterisation have provided novel insights into fundamental biological differences in GDM- and Healthy-CMSCs. Enhanced mobility of GDM-CMSCs may promote MSC migration toward injured sites; however, impaired cellular metabolic activity may negatively affect any perceived benefit.

The relationship between iron metabolism, stress hormones, and insulin resistance in gestational diabetes mellitus

AIM

To analyze the relationship between iron metabolism index and stress hormones, insulin resistance, and oxidative stress in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

METHODS

From January to November 2019, 75 patients with GDM were selected as GDM group, according to age of 1:1; 75 normal pregnant women were selected as Control group. Blood glucose, insulin, stress hormones such as cortisol, norepinephrine (NE), and epinephrine (E), and iron metabolism index such as serum iron, serum ferritin (SF), and transferrin saturation (TS) were measured. Insulin resistance was evaluated by homeostasis model insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR). Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the relationship between iron metabolism index and stress hormones, insulin resistance, and oxidative stress.

RESULTS

The levels of NE, E, serum iron, SF, and TS saturation in the GDM group were higher than Control group (t = 3.82, 2.75, 3.14, 6.12, and 3.90, P < 0.05, <0.05, <0.05, <0.01, <0.01); HOMA-IR was higher in the GDM group (t = 4.92, P < 0.01); malondialdehyde (MDA) was higher, while superoxide dismutase (SOD) was lower than Control group (t = 5.25, 4.98, both P < 0.01). Epinephrine, norepinephrine, cortisol, and serum ferritin were positively correlated (r = 0.21, 0.17, and 0.21); epinephrine, cortisol, and transferrin were positively correlated (r = 0.12, 0.31). There was a positive correlation between HOMA-IR and SF and TS (r = 0.34, 0.34). MDA was positively correlated with SF and TS (r = 0.24, 0.29); SOD was negatively related to SF and TS (r = -0.12, -0.17).

CONCLUSIONS

Iron metabolism index is related to insulin resistance in GDM women. The change in iron metabolism may be involved in the pathogenesis of gestational diabetes caused by stress- adaptive disorder.