Caprine Endometrial Mesenchymal Stromal Stem Cell: Multilineage Potential, Characterization, and Growth Kinetics in Breeding and Anestrous Stages

Proliferative Effect of Aqueous Extract of Sea Cucumber (Holothuria parva) Body Wall on Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stromal/Stem Cells

Sea cucumber extracts and their bioactive compounds have the potential for stem cell proliferation induction and for their beneficial therapeutic properties. In this study, human umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (hUC-MSCs) were exposed to an aqueous extract of Holothuria parva body walls. Proliferative molecules were detected using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis in an aqueous extract of H. parva. The aqueous extract concentrations of 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 µg/mL and 10 and 20 ng/mL of human epidermal growth factor (EGF) as positive controls were treated on hUC-MSCs. MTT, cell count, viability, and cell cycle assays were performed. Using Western blot analysis, the effects of extracts of H. parva and EGF on cell proliferation markers were detected. Computational modeling was done to detect effective proliferative compounds in the aqueous extract of H. parva. A MTT assay showed that the 10, 20, and 40 µg/mL aqueous extract of H. parva had a proliferative effect on hUC-MSCs. The cell count, which was treated with a 20 µg/mL concentration, increased faster and higher than the control group (p < 0.05). This concentration of the extract did not have a significant effect on hUC-MSCs' viability. The cell cycle assay of hUC-MSCs showed that the percentage of cells in the G2 stage of the extract was biologically higher than the control group. Expression of cyclin D1, cyclin D3, cyclin E, HIF-1α, and TERT was increased compared with the control group. Moreover, expression of p21 and PCNA decreased after treating hUC-MSCs with the extract. However, CDC-2/cdk-1 and ERK1/2 had almost the same expression as the control group. The expression of CDK-4 and CDK-6 decreased after treatment. Between the detected compounds, 1-methyl-4-(1-methyl phenyl)-benzene showed better affinity to CDK-4 and p21 than tetradecanoic acid. The H. parva aqueous extract showed proliferative potential on hUC-MSCs.

Adipose Tissue- and Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Sheep: Culture Characteristics

Simple Summary

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are available in minuscule numbers in the body or placental tissues. These cells have mostly been harvested from bone marrow and adipose tissue. To broaden the currently available knowledge, the current study provides (a) information on the feasibility of isolation of MSCs at different ambient temperatures, (b) details of MSCs’ culture characteristics with respect to the physiological status of the donor, and (c) information on the viability of cryopreserved cells. Bone marrow harbors a higher mononuclear cell fraction than that of the adipose tissue, although percent adherent cells are comparably more in adipose tissue. MSCs from a pregnant donor show enhanced proliferation and differentiation potential, although further studies are desired. The cryopreserved cells have comparable characteristics to that of the fresh cells. In conclusion, donor animals’ tissue type and physiological status may affect MSCs’ characteristics and should be taken into consideration while applying in clinical settings.

Abstract

The current study demonstrates the culture characteristics of adipose tissue and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). The study evaluates the effect of ambient temperature, physiological status of the donor and the tissue source on sheep (Ovis aries) mesenchymal stem cells. The tissue samples were harvested from full term pregnant female sheep (n = 9) and male sheep (n = 10). Adipose tissue was harvested from n = 9 sheep and bone marrow from n = 10 sheep. The samples (adipose tissue, n = 2; bone marrow, n = 3) transported at cold ambient temperature (<10 °C) failed to yield MSCs while those (n = 14) at higher (>20 °C) ambient temperature successfully yielded MSCs. Bone marrow mononuclear cell (MNC) fraction was higher than the adipose tissue-derived stromal vascular fraction (SVF), but the percent adherent cells (PAC) was higher in the later cell fraction. Adipose tissue-derived MSCs from the full term female sheep had a significantly (p < 0.05) higher proliferation potential as compared to those of the male sheep-derived MSCs. Female sheep MSCs also had rapid differentiation potential. The cryopreserved MSCs had morphological features comparable to that of the fresh cells. In conclusion, the tissue type and physiological status of donor animal may affect MSCs’ characteristics and should be taken into consideration while applying in clinical settings.

Small Ruminants and Its Use in Regenerative Medicine: Recent Works and Future Perspectives

Simple Summary

Small ruminants such as sheep and goats have been increasingly used as animal models due to their dimensions, physiology and anatomy identical to those of humans. Their low costs, ease of accommodation, great longevity and easy handling make them advantageous animals to be used in a wide range of research work. Although there is already a lot of scientific literature describing these species, their use still lacks some standardization. The purpose of this review is to summarize the general principles related to the use of small ruminants as animal models for scientific research.

Abstract

Medical and translational scientific research requires the use of animal models as an initial approach to the study of new therapies and treatments, but when the objective is an exploration of translational potentialities, classical models fail to adequately mimic problems in humans. Among the larger animal models that have been explored more intensely in recent decades, small ruminants, namely sheep and goats, have emerged as excellent options. The main advantages associated to the use of these animals in research works are related to their anatomy and dimensions, larger than conventional laboratory animals, but very similar to those of humans in most physiological systems, in addition to their low maintenance and feeding costs, tendency to be docile, long life expectancies and few ethical complications raised in society. The most obvious disadvantages are the significant differences in some systems such as the gastrointestinal, and the reduced amount of data that limits the comparison between works and the validation of the characterization essays. Despite everything, recently these species have been increasingly used as animal models for diseases in different systems, and the results obtained open doors for their more frequent and advantageous use in the future. The purpose of this review is to summarize the general principles related to the use of small ruminants as animal models, with a focus on regenerative medicine, to group the most relevant works and results published recently and to highlight the potentials for the near future in medical research.

Preventive Effects of Intrauterine Injection of Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cell-Conditioned Media on Uterine Fibrosis Immediately after Endometrial Curettage in Rabbit

Uterine fibrosis is an acquired disorder leading to menstrual irregularities, implantation impairment, and abortion. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have antifibrotic properties through chemokine secretion. MSC-conditioned media (MSC-CM) contain paracrine components—exosomes—with a great potential for repairing damaged tissue or preventing fibrosis. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the preventive effects of bone marrow-derived MSC-CM (BM-MSC-CM) on uterine fibrosis after uterine curettage in rabbits. This study included 12 female rabbits (24 uterine horns in total). Excised uteri of each of the 12 female rabbits were randomly divided into four groups of intact negative control, curettage positive control, BM-MSC injection, and BM-MSC-CM injection in the way that two corresponding uteri from a rabbit were allocated to different groups. The MSC-CM were collected from cultivated BM-MSCs 48 hours after having been washed three times and replaced in serum-free media. Through a surgical approach, the caudal parts of the uteri were submitted to traumatic endometrial curettage, except for the intact negative uteri. After suturing the uterine walls, BM-MSCs or BM-MSC-CM were injected in the curettage site. Endometrial regeneration was histologically evaluated 30 days after treatment. Based on the evaluation of histomorphometric indices, curettage with or without preventive injections increased the growth of endometrial layers. However, the amount of fibrotic tissue in the CM and the BM-MSC injection groups was the same as the normal control groups, and all were less than the curettage group. A single injection of CM of MSCs after 30 days prevented the fibrotic tissue formation induced by curettage in endometrial layers of rabbits. Injecting BM-MSC-CM immediately after curettage prevented and reduced the uterine fibrosis similar to BM-MSCs in a rabbit model.

Endometrial and Menstrual Blood Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells: Biological Properties and Clinical Application

A highly proliferative mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC) population was recently discovered in the dynamic, cyclically regenerating human endometrium as clonogenic stromal cells that fulfilled the International Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT) criteria. Specific surface markers enriching for clonogenic endometrial MSC (eMSC), CD140b and CD146 co-expression, and the single marker SUSD2, showed their perivascular identity in the endometrium, including the layer which sheds during menstruation. Indeed, cells with MSC properties have been identified in menstrual fluid and commonly termed menstrual blood stem/stromal cells (MenSC). MenSC are generally retrieved from menstrual fluid as plastic adherent cells, similar to bone marrow MSC (bmMSC). While eMSC and MenSC share several biological features with bmMSC, they also show some differences in immunophenotype, proliferation and differentiation capacities. Here we review the phenotype and functions of eMSC and MenSC, with a focus on recent studies. Similar to other MSC, eMSC and MenSC exert immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory impacts on key cells of the innate and adaptive immune system. These include macrophages, T cells and NK cells, both in vitro and in small and large animal models. These properties suggest eMSC and MenSC as additional sources of MSC for cell therapies in regenerative medicine as well as immune-mediated disorders and inflammatory diseases. Their easy acquisition via an office-based biopsy or collected from menstrual effluent makes eMSC and MenSC attractive sources of MSC for clinical applications. In preparation for clinical translation, a serum-free culture protocol was established for eMSC which includes a small molecule TGFβ receptor inhibitor that prevents spontaneous differentiation, apoptosis, senescence, maintains the clonogenic SUSD2+ population and enhances their potency, suggesting potential for cell-therapies and regenerative medicine. However, standardization of MenSC isolation protocols and culture conditions are major issues requiring further research to maximize their potential for clinical application. Future research will also address crucial safety aspects of eMSC and MenSC to ensure these protocols produce cell products free from tumorigenicity and toxicity. Although a wealth of data on the biological properties of eMSC and MenSC has recently been published, it will be important to address their mechanism of action in preclinical models of human disease.

Stem Cells in Veterinary Medicine-Current State and Treatment Options

Regenerative medicine is a branch of medicine that develops methods to grow, repair, or replace damaged or diseased cells, organs or tissues. It has gained significant momentum in recent years. Stem cells are undifferentiated cells with the capability to self—renew and differentiate into tissue cells with specialized functions. Stem cell therapies are therefore used to overcome the body's inability to regenerate damaged tissues and metabolic processes after acute or chronic insult. The concept of stem cell therapy was first introduced in 1991 by Caplan, who proposed that massive differentiation of cells into the desired tissue could be achieved by isolation, cultivation, and expansion of stem cells in in vitro conditions. Among different stem cell types, mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) currently seem to be the most suitable for therapeutic purposes, based on their simple isolation and culturing techniques, and lack of ethical issues regarding their usage. Because of their remarkable immunomodulatory abilities, MSCs are increasingly gaining recognition in veterinary medicine. Developments are primarily driven by the limitations of current treatment options for various medical problems in different animal species. MSCs represent a possible therapeutic option for many animal diseases, such as orthopedic, orodental and digestive tract diseases, liver, renal, cardiac, respiratory, neuromuscular, dermal, olfactory, and reproductive system diseases. Although we are progressively gaining an understanding of MSC behavior and their mechanisms of action, some of the issues considering their use for therapy are yet to be resolved. The aim of this review is first to summarize the current knowledge and stress out major issues in stem cell based therapies in veterinary medicine and, secondly, to present results of clinical usage of stem cells in veterinary patients.

The effect of anesthetic agents for oocyte pick-up on in vitro fertilization outcome: A retrospective study in a tertiary center

OBJECTIVE

General anesthesia is used in most in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinics for oocyte pick-up (OPU), however, there is no consensus on type of anesthetic agent use among clinicians performing OPU. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the effects of propofol, ketamine, or combination of propofol and ketamine (P + K) for OPU on IVF outcome.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Three hundred and thirty three women (n = 333) undergoing IVF treatment were retrospectively included and were evaluated in three groups depending on whether they received propofol (n = 217), or ketamine (n = 60), or P + K (n = 56) for anesthesia during OPU.

RESULTS

Baseline characteristics and duration of anesthesia of each group were comparable except lower motile sperm percentage in the ketamine group compared to the propofol group (p = 0.002). Fertilization rate (FR) was decreased with ketamine compared to propofol (p = 0.013) and P + K (p = 0.008). After adjustment for sperm motility, this negative effect of ketamine on FR persisted. Implantation, clinical pregnancy, take-home baby rates, and oocyte retrieval parameters (number of total retrieved oocyte, metaphase II oocytes, embryo and methaphase II rate, and embryo quality) did not differ between the groups. Extended anesthesia duration (>30 min) was associated with low implantation (p = 0.04) and clinical pregnancy rates (p = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

Ketamine use during OPU can affect FR compared to propofol and P + K. Long durations of anesthesia also seem to decrease implantation and clinical pregnancy rates.

Endometrial Stem Cells in Farm Animals: Potential Role in Uterine Physiology and Pathology

The endometrium is an accessible source of mesenchymal stem cells. Most investigations of endometrial mesenchymal stem cells (eMSCs) have been conducted in humans. In animals, particularly in livestock, eMSC research is scarce. Such cells have been described in the bovine, ovine, caprine, porcine, and equine endometrium. Here we provide the state of the art of eMSCs in farm animals with a focus on the bovine species. In bovines, eMSCs have been identified during the phases of the estrous cycle, during which their functionality and the presence of eMSC-specific markers has been shown to change. Moreover, postpartum inflammation related to endometritis affects the presence and functionality of eMSCs, and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) may be the mediator of such changes. We demonstrated that exposure to PGE₂ in vitro modifies the transcriptomic profile of eMSCs, showing its potential role in the fate of stem cell activation, migration, and homing during pathological uterine inflammation in endometritis and in healthy puerperal endometrium. Farm animal research on eMSCs can be of great value in translational research for certain uterine pathologies and for immunomodulation of local responses to pathogens, hormones, and other substances. Further research is necessary in areas such as in vivo location of the niches and their immunomodulatory and anti-infective properties.

The Fate of Autologous Endometrial Mesenchymal Stromal Cells After Application in the Healthy Equine Uterus

Because of their distinct differentiation, immunomodulatory, and migratory capacities, endometrial mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) may provide an optimum source of therapeutic cells not only in relation to the uterus but also for regeneration of other tissues. This study reports the fate of endometrial MSCs following intrauterine application in mares. Stromal cell fractions were isolated from endometrial biopsies taken from seven reproductively healthy mares, expanded, and fluorescence labeled in culture. Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) or MSCs (15 × 10⁶) were autologously infused into each uterine horn during early diestrus and subsequently tracked by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry of endometrial biopsies and blood samples taken periodically after infusion. The inflammatory response to cell infusion was monitored in endometrial cytology samples. MSCs were detected in endometrial sections at 6, 12, and 24 h, but not later (7 or 14 days), after cell infusion. Cells were in all cases located in the uterine lumen, never within the endometrial tissue. No fluorescence signal was detected in blood samples at any time point after infusion. Cytology analyses showed an increase in % of polymorphonuclear neutrophils between 1 and 3 h after uterine infusion with either MSCs or PBS and a further increase by 6 h only in mares infused with PBS. In summary, endometrial MSCs were detected in the uterine lumen for up to 24 h after infusion, but did not migrate into the healthy endometrium. Moreover, MSCs effectively attenuated the inflammatory response to uterine infusion. We conclude that endometrial MSCs obtained from routine uterine biopsies could provide a safe and effective cell source for treatment of inflammatory conditions of the uterus and potentially other tissues.

Equine mesenchymal stem cells derived from endometrial or adipose tissue share significant biological properties, but have distinctive pattern of surface markers and migration

Adult stromal mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been postulated as responsible for cell renewal in highly and continuously regenerative tissues such as the endometrium. MSCs have been identified in the endometrium of many species including humans, rodents, pets and some farm animals, but not in horses. The objective of this work was to isolate such cells from the endometrium of mares and to compare their main biological attributes with horse adipose-derived MSCs. Here we successfully isolated and characterized endometrial MSCs (eMSCs) from mares. Said cells showed fibroblast-like morphology, grew on plastic, had doubling population times of 46.4 ± 3.38 h, underwent tri-lineage (osteo, chondro and adipogenic) differentiation after appropriate inductions, migrated toward the attraction of fetal calf serum and displayed a pattern of surface markers commonly accepted for horse MSCs. All these are properties of MSCs. Some of these attributes were shared with equine adipose-derived MSCs, but the migration pattern of eMSC at 12 and 24 h after stimulation was reduced in comparison with adipose MSCs. Also, expression of CD44, CD90 and MHCI surface markers were dramatically down-regulated in eMSCs. In conclusion, equine-derived endometrial MSC share biological attributes with adipose MSC of this species, but displayed a different surface marker phenotype and an impaired migration ability. Conceivably, this phenotype is distinctive for MSC of this origin.

Mammalian MSC from selected species: Features and applications

Mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSC) are promising candidates for cellular therapy of different diseases in humans and in animals. Following the guidelines of the International Society for Cell Therapy, human MSC may be identified by expression of a specific panel of cell surface markers (CD105+, CD73+, CD90+, CD34-, CD14-, or CD11b-, CD79- or CD19-, HLA-DR-). In addition, multiple differentiation potential into at least the osteogenic, adipogenic, and chondrogenic lineage is a main criterion for MSC definition. Human MSC and MSC of a variety of mammals isolated from different tissues meet these criteria. In addition to the abovementioned, they express many more cell surface markers. Yet, these are not uniquely expressed by MSC. The gross phenotypic appearance like marker expression and differentiation potential is similar albeit not identical for MSC from different tissues and species. Similarly, MSC may feature different biological characteristics depending on the tissue source and the isolation and culture procedures. Their versatile biological qualities comprising immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and proregenerative capacities rely largely on the migratory and secretory capabilities of MSC. They are attracted to sites of tissue lesion and secrete factors to promote self-repair of the injured tissue. This is a big perspective for clinical MSC applications in both veterinary and human medicine. Phase I/II clinical trials have been initiated to assess safety and feasibility of MSC therapies in acute and chronic disease settings. Yet, since the mode of MSC action in a specific disease environment is still unknown at large, it is mandatory to unravel the response of MSC from a given source onto a specific disease environment in suitable animal models prior to clinical applications. © 2017 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry.

Histomorphometric evaluation of treatment of rat azoosper-mic seminiferous tubules by allotransplantation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells

OBJECTIVES

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) potentials make them appropriate for cell therapy including ability of differentiation and release of anti-inflammatory cytokines and growth factors secreta. For treatment of azoospermia to induce proliferation and differentiation of germ cells, MSCs transplantation has been introduced. The aim of the present experimental case-control study was to histomorphometric evaluation of the germinal cells in seminiferous tubules of azoospermic rats before and after BM-MSCs allotransplantation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In the present study, BM-MSCs were isolated from six male rats and confirmed. Their testes also served as intact negative controls. The recipient rats (n=6) were received two doses of 10 mg/kg of busulfan with 21 days interval to induce azoospermia. After cessation of spermatogenesis, the rats were allotransplanted with the BM-MSCs into efferent duct of right testes. Thirty-five days later, the right cell-treated testes were compared to left azoospermic ones.

RESULTS

Histomorphometric analyses showed that the seminiferous tubules treated with BM-MSCs had normal morphology in comparison with azoospermic testes, which were without germinal layer. In most BM-MSCs-treated seminiferous tubules, spermatogenesis was observed.

CONCLUSION

The allotransplanted BM-MSCs could induce spermatogenesis in seminiferous tubules of azoospermic rats.