Therapeutic efficacy of differentiated versus undifferentiated mesenchymal stem cells in experimental type I diabetes in rat

Substrate topographies modulate the secretory activity of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells

BACKGROUND

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) secrete a diversity of factors with broad therapeutic potential, yet current culture methods limit potency outcomes. In this study, we used topographical cues on polystyrene films to investigate their impact on the secretory profile and potency of bone marrow-derived MSCs (hBM-MSCs). hBM-MSCs from four donors were cultured on topographic substrates depicting defined roughness, curvature, grooves and various levels of wettability.

METHODS

The topographical PS-based array was developed using razor printing, polishing and plasma treatment methods. hBM-MSCs from four donors were purchased from RoosterBio and used in co-culture with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from Cell Applications Inc. in an immunopotency assay to measure immunosuppressive capacity. Cells were cultured on low serum (2%) for 24-48 h prior to analysis. Image-based analysis was used for cell quantification and morphology assessment. Metabolic activity of BM-hMSCs was measured as the mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate using an extracellular flux analyzer. Conditioned media samples of BM-hMSCs were used to quantify secreted factors, and the data were analyzed using R statistics. Enriched bioprocesses were identify using the Gene Ontology tool enrichGO from the clusterprofiler. One-way and two-way ANOVAs were carried out to identify significant changes between the conditions. Results were deemed statistically significant for combined P < 0.05 for at least three independent experiments.

RESULTS

Cell viability was not significantly affected in the topographical substrates, and cell elongation was enhanced at least twofold in microgrooves and surfaces with a low contact angle. Increased cell elongation correlated with a metabolic shift from oxidative phosphorylation to a glycolytic state which is indicative of a high-energy state. Differential protein expression and gene ontology analyses identified bioprocesses enriched across donors associated with immune modulation and tissue regeneration. The growth of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was suppressed in hBM-MSCs co-cultures, confirming enhanced immunosuppressive potency. YAP/TAZ levels were found to be reduced on these topographies confirming a mechanosensing effect on cells and suggesting a potential role in the immunomodulatory function of hMSCs.

CONCLUSIONS

This work demonstrates the potential of topographical cues as a culture strategy to improve the secretory capacity and enrich for an immunomodulatory phenotype in hBM-MSCs.

Efficacy of mesenchymal stem cell transplantation therapy for type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

This meta-analysis was first conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T1DM and T2DM).

METHODS

We systematically searched PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, CNKI, EMBASE, Web of Science, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Library for studies published from the establishment of the databases to November 2020. Two researchers independently screened the identified studies, based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The combined standard mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of data from the included studies were calculated using fixed- or random-effects models.

RESULTS

We included 10 studies in our meta-analysis (4 studies on T1DM and 6 on T2DM, with 239 participants) to examine the efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) therapy in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. According to the pooled estimates, the glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level of the MSC-treated group was significantly lower than it was at baseline (mean difference (MD) = -1.51, 95% CI -2.42 to -0.60, P = 0.001). The fasting C-peptide level of the MSC-treated group with T1DM was higher than that of the control group (SMD = 0.89, 95% CI 0.36 to 1.42, P = 0.001), and their insulin requirement was significantly lower than it was at baseline (SMD = -1.14, 95% CI -1.52 to -0.77, P < 0.00001).

CONCLUSION

Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells has beneficial effects on diabetes mellitus, especially T1DM, and no obvious adverse reactions.

Feasibility of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Therapies for Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes

IMPACT STATEMENT

This review of iPSCs to treat T1D provides a current assessment of the challenges and potential for this proposed new therapy.

Tanshinone IIA and Astragaloside IV promote the angiogenesis of mesenchymal stem cell-derived endothelial cell-like cells via upregulation of Cx37, Cx40 and Cx43

Tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA) and Astragaloside IV (AGS-IV) were used as therapeutic treatments for coronary heart diseases (CHDs) in ancient China. However, the underlying mechanisms mediating the effects of Tan IIA and AGS-IV in angiogenesis remain unknown. In the present study, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were induced to differentiate into endothelial cell (EC)-like cells in vitro and the effects of Tan IIA and/or AGS-IV on the functions of these cells, including cell proliferation and tube formation, were assessed. Compared with the single-agent groups (Tan IIA or AGS-IV only), combined-agent (Tan IIA and AGS-IV) treatment significantly enhanced the proliferation and tube formation capacity of EC-like cells. In addition, the expression of connexin 37 (Cx37), Cx40 and Cx43 in the combined-agent group was significantly increased compared with the single-agent groups. Furthermore, enhanced gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) was identified in the combined-agent group, as evidenced by increased dye transfer in scrape-loading dye transfer assays. In conclusion, Tan IIA and AGS-IV may promote the angiogenesis of EC-like cells by upregulating the expression of Cx37, Cx40 and Cx43 and enhancing GJIC function. The results of the present study may provide experimental evidence for the clinical application of Tan IIA and AGS-IV as a treatment for CHDs.

Combination of Obestatin and Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Prevents Aggravation of Endocrine Pancreatic Damage in Type II Diabetic Rats

One of the new promising therapies in treatment of diabetes mellitus is mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) which have an interesting therapeutic potentiality based on their paracrine effect and transdifferentiation potentiality. Also obestatin improves the generation of functional β cells/islet-like cell clusters in vitro, suggesting implications for cell-based replacement therapy in diabetes. So the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of combination of both MSCs and obestatin on an experimental model of type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Sixty male rats were divided into; group I (control group), group II (T2DM group) induced by administration of high fat diet (HFD) and injection of streptozotocin (STZ) in low dose, group III (T2DM treated with MSCs), group IV (T2DM treated with obestatin), group V (T2DM treated with MSCs and obestatin). Fasting blood glucose, C-peptide, insulin and lipid profile were measured. HOMA-IR and HOMA-β were calculated. Pancreatic expression of insulin, glucagon like peptide -1 (GLP-1) and pancreatic duodenal homeobox 1 (Pdx1) mRNA levels were measured. In addition pancreatic histological changes, insulin and Bax were analyzed by immunohistochemical examination of islets of Langerhans. Diabetic rats showed significant increase in HOMA-IR, serum glucose and lipid profile levels with significant decrease in insulin, HOMA-β, GLP-1 and Pdx1 levels. MSCs and obestatin caused significant improvement in all parameters with more significant improvement in combined therapy. The protective effects afforded by MSCs and obestatin may derive from improvement of the metabolic profile, antiapoptosis and by increase in pancreatic GLP-1and Pdx1 gene expression.