Chondrogenic differentiation of menstrual blood-derived stem cells on nanofibrous scaffolds

Menstrual Blood-Derived Stem Cell Paracrine Factors Possess Stimulatory Effects on Chondrogenesis In Vitro and Diminish the Degradation of Articular Cartilage during Osteoarthritis

Articular cartilage is an avascular tissue with a limited capacity for self-regeneration, leading the tissue to osteoarthritis (OA). Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are promising for cartilage tissue engineering, as they are capable of differentiating into chondrocyte-like cells and secreting a number of active molecules that are important for cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of easily accessible menstrual blood-derived MSC (MenSC) paracrine factors in stimulating bone marrow MSC (BMMSCs) chondrogenic differentiation and to investigate their role in protecting cartilage from degradation in vitro. MenSCs and BMMSCs chondrogenic differentiation was induced using four different growth factors: TGF-β3, activin A, BMP-2, and IGF-1. The chondrogenic differentiation of BMMSCs was stimulated in co-cultures with MenSCs and cartilage explants co-cultured with MenSCs for 21 days. The chondrogenic capacity of BMMSCs was analyzed by the secretion of four growth factors and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein, as well as the release and synthesis of cartilage ECM proteins, and chondrogenic gene expression in cartilage explants. Our results suggest that MenSCs stimulate chondrogenic response in BMMSCs by secreting activin A and TGF-β3 and may have protective effects on cartilage tissue ECM by decreasing the release of GAGs, most likely through the modulation of activin A related molecular pathway. In conclusion, paracrine factors secreted by MenSCs may turn out to be a promising therapeutical approach for cartilage tissue protection and repair.

Mesenchymal Stromal Cells: Heterogeneity and Therapeutical Applications

Mesenchymal stromal cells nowadays emerge as a major player in the field of regenerative medicine and translational research. They constitute, with their derived products, the most frequently used cell type in different therapies. However, their heterogeneity, including different subpopulations, the anatomic source of isolation, and high donor-to-donor variability, constitutes a major controversial issue that affects their use in clinical applications. Furthermore, the intrinsic and extrinsic molecular mechanisms underlying their self-renewal and fate specification are still not completely elucidated. This review dissects the different heterogeneity aspects of the tissue source associated with a distinct developmental origin that need to be considered when generating homogenous products before their usage for clinical applications.

Micro- and nanotechnology in biomedical engineering for cartilage tissue regeneration in osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis, which typically arises from aging, traumatic injury, or obesity, is the most common form of arthritis, which usually leads to malfunction of the joints and requires medical interventions due to the poor self-healing capacity of articular cartilage. However, currently used medical treatment modalities have reported, at least in part, disappointing and frustrating results for patients with osteoarthritis. Recent progress in the design and fabrication of tissue-engineered microscale/nanoscale platforms, which arises from the convergence of stem cell research and nanotechnology methods, has shown promising results in the administration of new and efficient options for treating osteochondral lesions. This paper presents an overview of the recent advances in osteochondral tissue engineering resulting from the application of micro- and nanotechnology approaches in the structure of biomaterials, including biological and microscale/nanoscale topographical cues, microspheres, nanoparticles, nanofibers, and nanotubes.

Endometrial mesenchymal stem/stromal cells: The Enigma to code messages for generation of functionally active regulatory T cells

Background

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play an important role in fine-tuning of immune responses and are pivotal for a successful pregnancy. Recently, the importance of mesenchymal stem cells in regulation of immune responses in general and Tregs in particular has been highlighted. Here, we hypothesized that menstrual stromal/stem cells (MenSCs) contribute to uterine immune system regulation through induction of functionally active Tregs.

Methods

MenSCs were collected from 18 apparently healthy women and characterized. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) served as a control. The effect of MenSCs on proliferation of anti-CD3/CD28-stimulated T CD4 + cells and generation of Tregs with or without pre-treatment with mitomycin C, IFN-γ and IL-1β was evaluated by flow cytometry. The potential role of IDO, PGE2, IL-6, IL-10, and TGF-β on proliferation of T CD4 + cells and generation of Tregs was assessed using blocking antibodies or agents. IDO activity was evaluated in MenSCs and BMSCs culture supernatants by a colorimetric assay. IL-10 and IFN-γ production in MenSCs-primed T CD4 + was measured using intracellular staining. To investigate the functional properties of Tregs induced by MenSCs, Treg cells were isolated and their functional property to inhibit proliferation of anti-CD3/CD28-stimulated PBMCs was assessed by flow cytometry.

Results

According to the results, proliferation of T CD4 + lymphocytes was enhanced in the presence of MenSCs, while pre-treatment of MenSCs with pro-inflammatory cytokines reversed this effect. PGE2 and IDO were the major players in MenSCs-induced T cell proliferation. Non-treated MenSCs decreased the frequency of Tregs, whereas after pre-treatment with IFN-γ and IL-1β, they induced functional Tregs with ability to inhibit the proliferation of anti-CD3/CD28-stimulated PBMCs. This effect was mediated through IL-6, IL-10, TGF-β and IDO. IFN-γ/IL-1β-treated MenSCs induced IL-10 and IFN-γ production in CD4 + T cells.

Conclusion

Collectively, these findings indicate that immunomodulatory impact of menstrual blood stem cells (MenSCs) on generation of Tregs and inhibition of T cells proliferation is largely dependent on pre-treatment with IFN-γ and IL-1β. This is the first report on immunomodulatory impact of MenSCs on Tregs and highlights the pivotal role of endometrial stem cells in regulation of local endometrial immune responses.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13287-021-02603-3.

Tissue engineering of mouse uterus using menstrual blood stem cells (MenSCs) and decellularized uterine scaffold

Background

Uterine tissue engineering can provide the opportunity for curing female infertility. Natural scaffold is a good choice to recapitulate the architecture and functionality of the native tissue. In this study, we purposed the potential of uterine decellularized scaffolds as an adequate natural niche for MenSCs differentiation toward uterus-specific cell lineages.

Methods

Mouse’s uterus was decellularized by immersion of hypo and hypertonic salts or freeze–thaw cycle followed by immersion in Triton X-100 and SDS solutions. MenSCs were isolated from the menstrual blood of 6 healthy women. The decellularized and recellularized samples were prepared for further in vitro and in vivo analyses.

Results

Histochemical studies and Raman spectroscopy revealed uterine ECM was preserved well, and the cells were completely removed after decellularization. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the 3D ultrastructure of the uterus remained intact. Flowcytometric examination with CD34, CD44, CD105, CD106, CD144 markers revealed stem cell characters of cells that isolated from menstrual blood. MTT assay confirmed the bioavailability of MenSCs cultured scaffolds after 7 and 10 days.

Conclusion

Histochemical studies, SEM images, and Raman spectra showed MenSCs seeded and growth in uterine scaffolds. Immunostaining using anti-cytokeratin (CK), anti-desmin (Des), anti-vimentin (Vim), and anti-smooth muscle actin (SMA) antibodies showed MenSCs differentiation to epithelial and smooth muscle tissues. The Raman spectroscopy revealed the extracellular matrix (ECM) of decellularized uterine scaffolds was well preserved. The decellularized uterus can be considered a promising vehicle to support cell transplantation and differentiation. MenSCs are a good choice for uterine tissue engineering. The complete decellularization from mice uterine tissue was done by combining chemical agents

Different phenotypes and chondrogenic responses of human menstrual blood and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells to activin A and TGF-β3

BACKGROUND

Due to its low capacity for self-repair, articular cartilage is highly susceptible to damage and deterioration, which leads to the development of degenerative joint diseases such as osteoarthritis (OA). Menstrual blood-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MenSCs) are much less characterized, as compared to bone marrow mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (BMMSCs). However, MenSCs seem an attractive alternative to classical BMMSCs due to ease of access and broader differentiation capacity. The aim of this study was to evaluate chondrogenic differentiation potential of MenSCs and BMMSCs stimulated with transforming growth factor β (TGF-β3) and activin A.

METHODS

MenSCs (n = 6) and BMMSCs (n = 5) were isolated from different healthy donors. Expression of cell surface markers CD90, CD73, CD105, CD44, CD45, CD14, CD36, CD55, CD54, CD63, CD106, CD34, CD10, and Notch1 was analyzed by flow cytometry. Cell proliferation capacity was determined using CCK-8 proliferation kit and cell migration ability was evaluated by scratch assay. Adipogenic differentiation capacity was evaluated according to Oil-Red staining and osteogenic differentiation according to Alizarin Red staining. Chondrogenic differentiation (activin A and TGF-β3 stimulation) was investigated in vitro and in vivo (subcutaneous scaffolds in nude BALB/c mice) by expression of chondrogenic genes (collagen type II, aggrecan), GAG assay and histologically. Activin A protein production was evaluated by ELISA during chondrogenic differentiation in monolayer culture.

RESULTS

MenSCs exhibited a higher proliferation rate, as compared to BMMSCs, and a different expression profile of several cell surface markers. Activin A stimulated collagen type II gene expression and glycosaminoglycan synthesis in TGF-β3 treated MenSCs but not in BMMSCs, both in vitro and in vivo, although the effects of TGF-β3 alone were more pronounced in BMMSCs in vitro.

CONCLUSION

These data suggest that activin A exerts differential effects on the induction of chondrogenic differentiation in MenSCs vs. BMMSCs, which implies that different mechanisms of chondrogenic regulation are activated in these cells. Following further optimization of differentiation protocols and the choice of growth factors, potentially including activin A, MenSCs may turn out to be a promising population of stem cells for the development of cell-based therapies with the capacity to stimulate cartilage repair and regeneration in OA and related osteoarticular disorders.

Accentuating the sources of mesenchymal stem cells as cellular therapy for osteoarthritis knees-a panoramic review

The large economic burden on the global health care systems is due to the increasing number of symptomatic osteoarthritis (OA) knee patients whereby accounting for greater morbidity and impaired functional quality of life. The recent developments and impulses in molecular and regenerative medicine have paved the way for inducing the biological active cells such as stem cells, bioactive materials, and growth factors towards the healing and tissue regenerative process. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) act as a minimally invasive procedure that bridges the gap between pharmacological treatment and surgical treatment for OA. MSCs are the ideal cell-based therapy for treating disorders under a minimally invasive environment in conjunction with cartilage regeneration. Due to the worldwide recognized animal model for such cell-based therapies, global researchers have started using the various sources of MSCs towards cartilage regeneration. However, there is a lacuna in literature on the comparative efficacy and safety of various sources of MSCs in OA of the knee. Hence, the identification of a potential source for therapeutic use in this clinical scenario remains unclear. In this article, we compared the therapeutic effects of various sources of MSCs in terms of efficacy, safety, differentiation potential, durability, accessibility, allogenic preparation and culture expandability to decide the optimal source of MSCs for OA knee.

Intrinsic Angiogenic Potential and Migration Capacity of Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Derived from Menstrual Blood and Bone Marrow

Several therapies are being developed to increase blood circulation in ischemic tissues. Despite bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (bmMSC) are still the most studied, an interesting and less invasive MSC source is the menstrual blood, which has shown great angiogenic capabilities. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the angiogenic properties of menstrual blood-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (mbMSC) in vitro and in vivo and compared to bmMSC. MSC’s intrinsic angiogenic capacity was assessed by sprouting and migration assays. mbMSC presented higher invasion and longer sprouts in 3D culture. Additionally, both MSC-spheroids showed cells expressing CD31. mbMSC and bmMSC were able to migrate after scratch wound in vitro, nonetheless, only mbMSC demonstrated ability to engraft in the chick embryo, migrating to perivascular, perineural, and chondrogenic regions. In order to study the paracrine effects, mbMSC and bmMSC conditioned mediums were capable of stimulating HUVEC’s tube-like formation and migration. Both cells expressed VEGF-A and FGF2. Meanwhile, PDGF-B was expressed exclusively in mbMSC. Our results indicated that mbMSC and bmMSC presented a promising angiogenic potential. However, mbMSC seems to have additional advantages since it can be obtained by non-invasive procedure and expresses PDGF-B, an important molecule for vascular formation and remodeling.

Human menstrual blood-derived stromal/stem cells modulate functional features of natural killer cells

Although natural killer (NK) cells play a crucial role in the maintenance of a successful pregnancy, their cytotoxic activity should be tightly controlled. We hypothesized that endometrial mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (eMSCs) could potentially attenuate the functional features of NK cells. Herein, we assessed immunomodulatory effects of menstrual blood-derived stromal/stem cells (MenSCs), as a surrogate for eMSCs, on NK cells function. Our results showed that MenSCs induced proliferation of NK cells. However, IFN-γ/IL-1β pretreated MenSCs significantly inhibited NK cell proliferation. Of 41 growth factors tested, MenSCs produced lower levels of insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) 1-4, VEGF-A, β-NGF, and M-CSF compared to bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). MenSCs displayed high activity of IDO upon IFN-γ treatment. The antiproliferative potential of IFN-γ/IL-1β-pretreated MenSCs was mediated through IL-6 and TGF-β. MenSCs impaired the cytotoxic activity of NK cells on K562 cells, consistent with the lower expression of perforin, granzymes A, and B. We also observed that in vitro decidualization of MenSCs in the presence of IFN-γ reduced the inhibitory effect of MenSCs on NK cell cytotoxicity against K562 target cells. Additionally, MenSCs were found to be prone to NK cell-mediated lysis in an MHC-independent manner. Our findings imply that dysregulation of NK cells in such pregnancy-related disorders as miscarriage may stem from dysfunctioning of eMSCs.

The Potential of Menstrual Blood-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Cartilage Repair and Regeneration: Novel Aspects

Menstrual blood is a unique body fluid that contains mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). These cells have attracted a great deal of attention due to their exceptional advantages including easy access and frequently accessible sample source and no need for complex ethical and surgical interventions, as compared to other tissues. Menstrual blood-derived MSCs possess all the major stem cell properties and even have a greater proliferation and differentiation potential as compared to bone marrow-derived MSCs, making them a perspective tool in a further clinical practice. Although the potential of menstrual blood stem cells to differentiate into a large variety of tissue cells has been studied in many studies, their chondrogenic properties have not been extensively explored and investigated. Articular cartilage is susceptible to traumas and degenerative diseases, such as osteoarthritis, and has poor self-regeneration capacity and therefore requires more effective therapeutic technique. MSCs seem promising candidates for cartilage regeneration; however, no clinically effective stem cell-based repair method has yet emerged. This chapter focuses on studies in the field of menstrual blood-derived MSCs and their chondrogenic differentiation potential and suitability for application in cartilage regeneration. Although a very limited number of studies have been made in this field thus far, these cells might emerge as an efficient and easily accessible source of multipotent cells for cartilage engineering and cell-based chondroprotective therapy.

Mouse preantral follicle growth in 3D co-culture system using human menstrual blood mesenchymal stem cell

Follicle culture provides a condition which can help investigators to evaluate various aspects of ovarian follicle growth and development and impact of different components and supplementations as well as presumably application of follicle culture approach in fertility preservation procedures. Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs), particularly those isolated from menstrual blood has the potential to be used as a tool for improvement of fertility. In the current study, a 3D co-culture system with mice preantral follicles and human Menstrual Blood Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MenSCs) using either collagen or alginate beads was designed to investigate whether this system allows better preantral follicles growth and development. Results showed that MenSCs increase the indices of follicular growth including survival rate, diameter, and antrum formation as well as the rate of in vitro maturation (IVM) in both collagen and alginates beads. Although statistically not significant, alginate was found to be superior in terms of supporting survival rate and antrum formation. Hormone assay demonstrated that the amount of secreted 17 β-estradiol and progesterone in both 3D systems increased dramatically after 12 days, with the highest levels in system employing MenSCs. Data also demonstrated that relative expression of studied genes increased for Bmp15 and Gdf9 and decreased for Mater when follicles were cultured in the presence of MenSCs. Collectively, results of the present study showed that MenSCs could improve indices of follicular growth and maturation in vitro. Further studies are needed before a clinical application of MenSCs-induced IVM is considered.

Mesenchymal endometrial stem/stromal cells for hard tissue engineering: a review of in vitro and in vivo evidence

Hard tissues including teeth, bone and cartilage have inability or poor capacity to self-renew, especially in large defects. Therefore, repair of damages in these tissues represents a huge challenge in the medical field today. Hard tissue engineering commonly utilizes different stem cell sources as a promising strategy for treating bone, cartilages and tooth defects or disorders. Decades ago, researchers successfully isolated and identified endometrial mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (EnSCs) and discovered their multidifferentiation potential. Current studies suggest that EnSCs have significant advantages compared with stem cells derived from other tissues. In this review article, we summarize the current in vitro and in vivo studies that utilize EnSCs or menstrual blood-derived stem cells for differentiation to osteoblasts, odontoblasts or chondroblasts in an effort to realize the potential of these cells in hard tissues regeneration.

The effect of nanofibre-based polyethersulfone (PES) scaffold on the chondrogenesis of human induced pluripotent stem cells

Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have been shown to have promising potential for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering applications. Chondrogenic differentiation of iPSCs is important for application in cartilage tissue engineering. In this study, we considered the effect of nanofibre-based polyethersulfone (PES) scaffold on the chondrogenesis of iPSCs. IPSC cells were cultured on the PES scaffold and scaffold free method. After 21 d, real-time PCR was performed to evaluate the cartilage-specific genes in the mRNA levels. For confirm our results, we have done immunocytochemistry and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging. According to the results, higher significant expressions of common chondrogenic-related genes such as aggrecan, collagen type II and collagen type X were observed in PES seeded human iPSCs when compared to the mRNA levels measured in scaffold free method. Expression of collagen type I down regulated in both methods. Also, both methods were showed a similar pattern of expression of SOX9. Our results showed that nanofibre-based PES scaffold enhanced the chondrogenesis of iPSCs and the highest capacity for differentiation into chondrocyte-like cells. These cells and PES scaffold were demonstrated to have great efficiency for treatment of cartilage damages and lesions.

Autologous menstrual blood-derived stromal cells transplantation for severe Asherman's syndrome

STUDY QUESTION

Does autologous transplantation of menstrual blood-derived stromal cells (menSCs) regenerate endometrium to support pregnancy in patients with severe Asherman's syndrome (AS)?

SUMMARY ANSWER

Autologous menSCs transplantation significantly increases endometrial thickness (ET) for women with severe AS.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

AS is a major cause of secondary infertility in women. Cell transplantation has been tried in a few clinical cases with encouraging results.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

In this experimental, non-controlled and prospective 3-year clinical study involving seven patients with AS, autologous menSCs were isolated and cultured from menstrual blood of each patient within ~2 weeks and then transplanted back into their uterus. Endometrial growth and pregnancy were assessed after cell therapy.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHOD

Infertile women, aged 20-40 years, diagnosed with severe AS (Grade III-V) by hysteroscopy and with menstrual fluid were recruited at the Shengjing Hospital affiliated to China Medical University. Autologous menSCs transplantation was conducted followed by HRT. Endometrial thickness was monitored with frozen embryo transfer (FET) as needed.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

We successfully cultured menSCs from seven patients and transferred the autologous cells back to their uterus. Our results showed that the ET was significantly (P = 0.0002) increased to 7 mm in five women, which ensured embryo implantation. Four patients underwent FET and two of them conceived successfully. One patient had spontaneous pregnancy after second menSCs transplantation.

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

Limited sample size, lack of rigorous controls or knowledge of underlying mechanism.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

Autologous menSCs transplantation is a potential option for treating women with severe AS.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS

This study was supported by Liaoning Provincial Science and Technology Program. The sponsor and authors declare no conflicts of interest.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

Registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR-ONB-15007464).

Menstrual Blood-Derived Stem Cells: In Vitro and In Vivo Characterization of Functional Effects

Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that menstrual blood stands as a viable source of stem cells. Menstrual blood-derived stem cells (MenSCs) are morphologically and functionally similar to cells directly extracted from the endometrium, and present dual expression of mesenchymal and embryonic cell markers, thus becoming interesting tools for regenerative medicine. Functional reports show higher proliferative and self-renewal capacities than bone marrow-derived stem cells, as well as successful differentiation into hepatocyte-like cells, glial-like cells, endometrial stroma-like cells, among others. Moreover, menstrual blood stem cells may be used with increased efficiency in reprogramming techniques for induced Pluripotent Stem cell (iPS) generation. Experimental studies have shown successful treatment of stroke, colitis, limb ischemia, coronary disease, Duchenne's muscular atrophy and streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetes animal models with MenSCs. As we envision an off-the-shelf product for cell therapy, cryopreserved MenSCs appear as a feasible clinical product. Clinical applications, although still very limited, have great potential and ongoing studies should be disclosed in the near future.

The endometrium as a source of mesenchymal stem cells for regenerative medicine

Stem cell therapies have opened new frontiers in medicine with the possibility of regenerating lost or damaged cells. Embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, hematopoietic stem cells, and mesenchymal stem cells have been used to derive mature cell types for tissue regeneration and repair. However, the endometrium has emerged as an attractive, novel source of adult stem cells that are easily accessed and demonstrate remarkable differentiation capacity. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of endometrial stem cells and their therapeutic potential in regenerative medicine.

Gene expression pattern of some classes of cytochrome P-450 and glutathione S-transferase enzymes in differentiated hepatocytes-like cells from menstrual blood stem cells

Recently, valuable characteristics of menstrual blood stem cells (MenSCs) have impelled scientists to take its advantages for cell therapy of different diseases including liver disorders. In this study, we examined messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of phases I and II drug metabolizing enzymes including glutathione S-transferase (GST) and cytochrome P-450 (CYP) in differentiated hepatocyte-like cells from MenSCs. The isolated MenSCs were characterized and differentiated into hepatocyte-like cells using hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and oncostatin M (OSM) in combination with other components in serum-free culture media. After primary characterization of hepatocyte markers, mRNA expression of GSTA1, GSTA2, GSTP1, CYP3A4, and CYP7A1 was assessed in differentiated cells in reference to undifferentiated cells using real-time PCR. Based on immunofluorescent staining and real-time PCR data, the differentiated MenSCs could express functional hepatocyte markers at mRNA and/or protein levels suggesting development of hepatocyte-like cells from MenSCs. Moreover, the expression levels of GSTA1, GSTA2, and CYP3A4 mRNA were upregulated in differentiated cells compared to undifferentiated cells. The expression of CYP7A1 gene was also remarkable on the last day of differentiation process. However, the expression level of GSTP1 did not exhibit statistically significant change during differentiation (P = 0.6). Based on accumulative data, MenSCs could be viewed as an accessible population of stem cells with differentiation ability into drug-metabolizing hepatocyte-like cells.

Menstrual blood-derived stromal stem cells inhibit optimal generation and maturation of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells

INTRODUCTION

Menstrual blood stromal stem Cells (MenSCs) have shown promising potential for future clinical settings. Nonetheless, data regarding their interaction with immune cells is still scarce. Here, we investigated whether MenSCs could affect the generation and/or maturation of human blood monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

MenSCs were isolated from menstrual blood of normal women through culture of adherent mononuclear cells. Magnetically-isolated peripheral blood monocytes were differentiated toward immature DCs (iDC) and mature DCs (mDCs) in the presence or absence of MenSCs. Monocyte-derived cells were assessed for the percentage of monocyte-, iDC-, and mDC-specific markers as well as the expression of costimulatory molecules. IL-6 and IL-10 levels were also determined in supernatants of MenSC-monocytes cocultures.

RESULTS

Optimal phenotypic differentiation of monocytes into iDCs was inhibited upon coculture with MenSCs. Moreover, higher levels of IL-6 and IL-10 were detected in these settings. Even though addition of MenSCs to iDC cultures could not prevent iDC maturation, coculture of MenSCs with monocytes from the beginning of differentiation process could effectively hinder generation of fully mature DCs.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study to address the inhibitory impact of MenSCs on generation and maturation of DCs. IL-6 and IL-10 could be partly held responsible for this effect. Given the central roles of DCs in regulation of immune responses, these results highlight the importance of further research on the potential modulatory impacts of MenSCs, as rather easily accessible and expandable stem cells, on the immune system-related cells.

Menstrual blood-derived stromal stem cells from women with and without endometriosis reveal different phenotypic and functional characteristics

Retrograde flow of menstrual blood cells during menstruation is considered as the dominant theory for the development of endometriosis. Moreover, current evidence suggests that endometrial-derived stem cells are key players in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. In particular, endometrial stromal stem cells have been suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of this disease. Here, we aimed to use menstrual blood, as a novel source of endometrial stem cells, to investigate whether stromal stem cells from endometriosis (E-MenSCs) and non-endometriosis (NE-MenSCs) women differed regarding their morphology, CD marker expression pattern, proliferation, invasion and adhesion capacities and their ability to express certain immunomodulatory molecules. E-MenSCs were morphologically different from NE-MenSCs and showed higher expression of CD9, CD10 and CD29. Furthermore, E-MenSCs had higher proliferation and invasion potentials compared with NE-MenSCs. The amount of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-1 (IDO1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in E-MenSCs co-cultured with allogenic peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was shown to be higher both at the gene and protein levels, and higher IDO1 activity was detected in the endometriosis group. However, NE-MenSCs revealed increased concentrations of forkhead transcription factor-3 (FOXP3) when compared with E-MenSCs. Nonetheless, interferon (IFN)-γ, Interleukin (IL)-10 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) levels were higher in the supernatant of E-MenSCs-PBMC co-cultures. Here, we showed that there are inherent differences between E-MenSCs and NE-MenSCs. These findings propose the key role MenSCs could play in the pathogenesis of endometriosis and further support the retrograde and stem cell theories of endometriosis. Hence, considering its renewable and easily available nature, menstrual blood could be viewed as a reliable and inexpensive material for studies addressing the cellular and molecular aspects of endometriosis.

Comparative evaluation of differentiation potential of menstrual blood- versus bone marrow-derived stem cells into hepatocyte-like cells

Menstrual blood has been introduced as an easily accessible and refreshing stem cell source with no ethical consideration. Although recent works have shown that menstrual blood stem cells (MenSCs) possess multi lineage differentiation capacity, their efficiency of hepatic differentiation in comparison to other stem cell resources has not been addressed so far. The aim of this study was to investigate hepatic differentiation capacity of MenSCs compared to bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMSCs) under protocols developed by different concentrations of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and oncostatin M (OSM) in combination with other components in serum supplemented or serum-free culture media. Such comparison was made after assessment of immunophenotye, trans-differentiation potential, immunogenicity and tumorigeicity of these cell types. The differential expression of mature hepatocyte markers such as albumin (ALB), cytokeratin 18 (CK-18), tyrosine aminotransferase and cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase activities (CYP7A1) at both mRNA and protein levels in differentiating MenSCs was significantly higher in upper concentration of HGF and OSM (P1) compared to lower concentration of these factors (P2). Moreover, omission of serum during differentiation process (P3) caused typical improvement in functions assigned to hepatocytes in differentiated MenSCs. While up-regulation level of ALB and CYP7A1 was higher in differentiated MenSCs compared to driven BMSCs, expression level of CK-18, detected level of produced ALB and glycogen accumulation were lower or not significantly different. Therefore, based on the overall comparable hepatic differentiation ability of MenSCs with BMSCs, and also accessibility, refreshing nature and lack of ethical issues of MenSCs, these cells could be suggested as an apt and safe alternative to BMSCs for future stem cell therapy of chronic liver diseases.