Luciferase-based reporting of suicide gene activity in murine mesenchymal stem cells

Mesenchymal Stem Cells as a Gene Delivery Tool: Promise, Problems, and Prospects

The cell-based approach in gene therapy arises as a promising strategy to provide safe, targeted, and efficient gene delivery. Owing to their unique features, as homing and tumor-tropism, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have recently been introduced as an encouraging vehicle in gene therapy. Nevertheless, non-viral transfer of nucleic acids into MSCs remains limited due to various factors related to the main stakeholders of the process (e.g., nucleic acids, carriers, or cells). In this review, we have summarized the main types of nucleic acids used to transfect MSCs, the pros and cons, and applications of each. Then, we have emphasized on the most efficient lipid-based carriers for nucleic acids to MSCs, their main features, and some of their applications. While a myriad of studies have demonstrated the therapeutic potential for engineered MSCs therapy in various illnesses, optimization for clinical use is an ongoing challenge. On the way of improvement, genetically modified MSCs have been combined with various novel techniques and tools (e.g., exosomes, spheroids, 3D-Bioprinting, etc.,) aiming for more efficient and safe applications in biomedicine.

Generation of a heterozygous GAPDH-Luciferase human ESC line (HVRDe008-A-1) for in vivo monitoring of stem cells and their differentiated progeny

Human stem cell-derived beta (SC-β) cells are a candidate for cell replacement therapy for type 1 diabetes. Whilst refinements to the differentiation protocol have resulted in the production of SC-β cells that resemble adult beta cells, the unsolved challenge to protect transplanted SC-β cells from the host immune system remains. To monitor the survival of SC-β cells in vivo, we knocked-in the Firefly luciferase gene into the GAPDH locus of the HUES8 human embryonic stem cell (hESC) line, such that differentiated islet cells constitutively express luciferase.

Lkb1 is an important regulator of Treg differentiation and proliferation of amniotic mesenchymal stem cells

In this study, we aimed to explore the role of liver kinase b1 (Lkb1) in the biological characteristics and immune regulation of amniotic mesenchymal stem cells (AMSCs). AMSCs were identified via the cell surface markers using flow cytometry. We knocked down the expression of Lkb1 in AMSCs using lentivirus-mediated Lkb1-specific shRNA. The efficiency of the knockdown was detected by flow cytometry, RT-qPCR, and western blot. The AMSC-related phenotype was determined by flow cytometric analysis via staining surface markers. Fibroblast colony-forming cells (CFU-F) assay and Ki-67 intracellular staining assay were used to determine the proliferative capacity. The differentiated and immunosuppressive capabilities were determined by conditional induction of differentiation and co-culture experiments. We observed that AMSCs along with Lkb1 knockdown (AMSCs-Lkb1) displayed similar cellular morphology and surface antigen expression patterns as those observed in AMSCs. However, AMSCs-Lkb1 exhibited an enhanced differentiation capacity towards osteogenesis and chondrogenesis while it showed defective proliferation and increased apoptosis. Furthermore, AMSCs-Lkb1 showed an enhanced immunosuppressive capacity by directly inhibiting conventional T cells and indirectly inducing production of regulatory T cells (Treg). Interestingly, Treg produced by AMSCs-Lkb1 displayed stronger proliferative capacity as compared to those produced by AMSCs. Our results indicate that Lkb1 plays a vital role in maintaining self-renewal of AMSCs and regulating immune equivalence, and may hold potential for the clinical management of diseases such as GVHD.