Therapeutic Potential of Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Experimental Liver Injury Induced by Schistosoma mansoni: A Histological Study

Therapeutic effect of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSCs) compared to pirfenidone on corticosteroid resistance in a mouse model of acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

INTRODUCTION

Acute exacerbation-idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (AE-IPF) is a life-threatening condition. In the treatment of AE-IPF, corticosteroid medication is commonly utilized. However, there is insufficient evidence to justify its usage. Pirfenidone (PFD) has recently been discovered to be effective in the treatment of AE-IPF patients. However, regenerative therapy, such as stem cell therapy or tissue engineering, is necessary due to ineffective and limited therapies. Combining MSC transplantation with pharmacological therapy may also give additional benefits; nevertheless, its use must be proven experimentally. As a result, the goal of this study was to assess the therapeutic effects of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSCs) on corticosteroid resistance in an animal model of AE-IPF caused by bleomycin compared to PFD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seventy C57BL/6J male mice were randomly divided into seven groups, control, BLM, methylprednisolone (MP), PFD, AD-MSCs, PFD +MP, and AD-MSCs +MP.

RESULTS

In terms of survival, collagen deposition, the acute lung injury score (ALI), and the Ashcroft score, AD-MSCs exceeded PFD. AD-MSCs + MP provided protection and preserved the lung's architecture in BLM-induced AE. In addition, AD-MSCs successfully decreased chemokine (CC motif) ligand-2 (CCL2) positive cells and lower pro-fibrotic and pro-inflammatory cytokines.

CONCLUSIONS

AD-MSCs enhanced histological structure, Ashcroft and ALI scores, lung collagen deposition, survival, and cytokines in an animal model of AE-IPF. As a result, we believe that AD-MSCs may be more therapeutically helpful for AE-IPF than presently available therapies, either alone or in conjunction with MP.

Regenerative capacity of bone marrow stem cells on aged albino rat's parotid excretory duct

OBJECTIVE

To appraise structural features of parotid excretory duct during senility and probable effect of bone marrow-mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs).

DESIGN

A total of 14 healthy male albino rats were used. Seven adult rats (24-34-week-old) represented the control group (Group I). Seven senile rats (72-80-week-old) were utilized in which the left parotid gland served as "Old" (Group II) and were injected by 0.2 ml phosphate buffered saline; the right side represented "Old treated" (Group III) and got local injection of 1-1.5 million allogeneic BM-MSCs. One month later, glands were dissected and assessed structurally, ultra-structurally and statistically.

RESULT

Histologically, Group I showed normal duct histology. In Group II duct lining lost its pseudostratification which was recovered in Group III. PCNA immunolocalization showed moderate reactivity in Group I, negative to mild reaction in Group II, and strong reaction in some of Group III cells. Ultra-structural features of Group I were ordinary in which basal cell had a large flat nucleus, and dark and light cells showed electron-dense cytoplasm and electron-lucent cytoplasm respectively. Tuft cell displayed long microvilli. Mucous droplets filled goblet cell. Group II revealed an apparent reduction in cells size, organelles and absence of tuft cell. In Group III all cell types were detected and they recovered their organelles, cell and nucleus shape. The highest mean area% of PCNA immunoreactivity was in Group I followed by Group III then Group II.

CONCLUSIONS

Aging has a deteriorating effect on structure and ultra-structure of parotid gland excretory duct that could be amended by BM-MSCs.

Effect of Hepatocyte Growth Factor-Transfected Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Hepatic Stellate Cells by Regulating Transforming Growth Factor-β1/Smads Signaling Pathway

Studies have shown that human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) could ameliorate liver fibrosis (LF) through inhibiting the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). However, the specific mechanisms have not been studied clearly. The purpose of this study was to explore the possible mechanism of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)-transfected hUCMSCs in inhibiting the proliferation and activation of HSCs-T6. The upper and lower double-cell coculture system was established among HGF-hUCMSCs, LV5-NC-hUCMSCs, hUCMSCs, and HSCs-T6 in experimental groups; HSCs-T6 were cultured alone as control group. After coculturing for 1, 2, and 3 days, results showed that HGF-transfected hUCMSCs could decrease cell viability of HSCs-T6 and promote apoptosis; inhibit their activation and reduce the expression of Collagen I, Collagen III, TGF-β1, Smad2 and Smad3, which may be related to inhibiting the activation of TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway. These findings suggested that HGF-transfected hUCMSCs may be used as an alternative and novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of LF.

Mesenchymal Stromal Cells: an Antimicrobial and Host-Directed Therapy for Complex Infectious Diseases

There is an urgent need for new antimicrobial strategies for treating complex infections and emerging pathogens. Human mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are adult multipotent cells with antimicrobial properties, mediated through direct bactericidal activity and modulation of host innate and adaptive immune cells. More than 30 in vivo studies have reported on the use of human MSCs for the treatment of infectious diseases, with many more studies of animal MSCs in same-species models of infection. MSCs demonstrate potent antimicrobial effects against the major classes of human pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites) across a wide range of infection models. Mechanistic studies have yielded important insight into their immunomodulatory and bactericidal activity, which can be enhanced through various forms of preconditioning. MSCs are being investigated in over 80 clinical trials for difficult-to-treat infectious diseases, including sepsis and pulmonary, intra-abdominal, cutaneous, and viral infections. Completed trials consistently report MSCs to be safe and well tolerated, with signals of efficacy against some infectious diseases. Although significant obstacles must be overcome to produce a standardized, affordable, clinical-grade cell therapy, these studies suggest that MSCs may have particular potential as an adjunct therapy in complex or resistant infections.

Application of Modified Mesenchymal Stem Cells Transplantation in the Treatment of Liver Injury

Acute and chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and other liver diseases pose a serious threat to human health; however, liver transplantation is the only reliable treatment for the terminal stage of liver diseases. Previous researchers have shown that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are characterized by differentiation and paracrine effects, as well as anti-oxidative stress and immune regulation functions. When MSCs are transplanted into animals, they migrate to the injured liver tissue along with the circulation, to protect the liver and alleviate the injury through the paracrine, immune regulation and other characteristics, making mesenchymal stem cell transplantation a promising alternative therapy for liver diseases. Although the efficacy of MSCs transplantation has been confirmed in various animal models of liver injury, many researchers have also proposed various pretreatment methods to improve the efficacy of mesenchymal stem cell transplantation, but there is still lack a set of scientific methods system aimed at improving the efficacy of transplantation therapy in scientific research and clinical practice. In this review, we summarize the possible mechanisms of MSCs therapy and compare the existing methods of MSCs modification corresponding to the treatment mechanism, hoping to provide as a reference to help future researchers explore a safe and simple transplantation strategy.

Cell therapy as a new approach on hepatic fibrosis of murine model of Schistosoma mansoni-infection

BACKGROUND

Schistosomiasis is an acute and chronic disease of the genus Schistosoma triggered by blood flukes. Schistosomiasis is a disease occurring in, or endemic to, tropical and subtropical regions. A new concept was implemented to deal with schistosomiasis from natural plant sources. Curcumin's common name is Turmeric. Curcumin has proven to be main active component in Curcuma longa L. and has a wide range of anti-phrastic effects. Previous studies have shown the role of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) therapy in hepatic fibrosis recovery.

OBJECTIVE

The current study was, therefore, intended to examine therapeutic role of BMSCs and Turmeric in murine schistosomiasis mansoni.

ANIMALS

Mice were divided into five groups: a negative control group (non-infected non-treated), a positive control group (infected non-treated), a BMSCs treated group; Turmeric treated group, and untreated group. BMSCs derived from male mice were injected intraperitoneally into female mice receiving S. mansoni cercariae through the subcutaneous route. Liver histopathology and immuno-histochemical examinations were evaluated.

RESULTS

BMSCs intraperitoneal injection resulted in a significant reduction of liver collagen, granuloma size, and significant increase of OV-6 expression in the Schistosomiasis-treated mice group. There was overall improvement in pathological changes of the liver. Unfortunately, group IV showed a mild improvement in the granuloma size and fibrosis compared to corresponding BMSCs treatment group, although with vacuolated liver cells.

CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

BMSCs have a regenerative potential in liver tissue histopathology by decreasing liver fibrosis and granulomas. Turmeric, by contrast, could not be used as an anti-fibrotic, according to the findings.

Histological, Histochemical and Immunohistochemical Evaluation of the Role of Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells on the Structure of Periodontal Tissues in Carbimazole-Treated Albino Rats

OBJECTIVE

To elucidate the role of bone marrow-mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) on the structure of periodontal tissues in carbimazole (antithyroid drug) treated rats at different durations.

DESIGN

28 albino rats were divided into: Group I: received distilled water. Group II: received therapeutic dose of carbimazole. Group III: received carbimazole then single injection of BM-MSCs by the end of 3^rd week. Group IV: received carbimazole and single injection of BM-MSCs at the beginning of the experiment. Specimens were examined by light microscope. New collagen and β-catenin-immunoreactivity area% were assessed histomorphometrically, and statistically using ANOVA test.

RESULTS

Histological examination revealed normal periodontal tissues structure in Groups I & IV. Group II showed disorganized periodontal ligament fibers and different stainability of cementum and alveolar bone. Group III illustrated dense periodontal ligament fibers, normal stainability of cementum and most of alveolar bone. Masson's trichrome results of Groups I & IV illustrated large areas of new collagen in periodontal ligament, old collagen in cementum and intermingled old and new collagen in alveolar bone. Group II showed old collagen. Group III revealed only new collagen. β-catenin-immunoreactivity was strong in Groups I & IV, negative in Group II and moderate in Group III. Statistically, Group III showed highest mean of new collagen area% followed by Groups I, IV and II respectively. Highest mean of β-catenin-immunoreactivity area% was for Group I followed by Groups IV, III and II respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Carbimazole has damaging effects and BM-MSCs are capable to mend these destructive outcomes in time dependent manner.

Liver damage in schistosomiasis is reduced by adipose tissue-derived stem cell therapy after praziquantel treatment

Background

In view of the potential immunosuppressive and regenerative properties of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), we investigated whether transplantation of adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASC) could be used to control the granulomatous reaction in the liver of mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni after Praziquantel (PZQ) treatment.

Methodology/Prinicpal findings

C57BL/6 mice infected with S. mansoni were treated with PZQ and transplanted intravenously with ASC from uninfected mice. Liver morpho-physiological and immunological analyses were performed. The combined PZQ/ASC therapy significantly reduced the volume of hepatic granulomas, as well as liver damage as measured by ALT levels. We also observed that ASC accelerated the progression of the granulomatous inflammation to the advanced/curative phase. The faster healing interfered with the expression of CD28 and CTLA-4 molecules in CD4⁺ T lymphocytes, and the levels of IL-10 and IL-17 cytokines, mainly in the livers of PZQ/ASC-treated mice.

Conclusions

Our results show that ASC therapy after PZQ treatment results in smaller granulomas with little tissue damage, suggesting the potential of ASC for the development of novel therapeutic approaches to minimize hepatic lesions as well as a granulomatous reaction following S. mansoni infection. Further studies using the chronic model of schistosomiasis are required to corroborate the therapeutic use of ASC for schistosomiasis.

Schistosomiasis is the second most prevalent parasitic disease in the world and is caused by the Schistosoma trematode. This disease is characterized by a granulomatous reaction around parasite eggs trapped in the tissues. The liver is one of the most affected organs and can develop severe fibrosis. Praziquantel (PZQ) is the treatment for schistosomiasis and kills the adult the worm; however, inflammation still persists around the eggs in the tissues. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have been extensively studied as an alternative therapy to repair tissues and to stop inflammation due to their potential to differentiate in several cells types (bone, cartilage, fat, tendon, muscle, and marrow stroma), and to interfere with immune responses. This scenario has motivated the authors to investigate the use of MSC extract from adipose tissue (ASC) associated with PZQ to treat schistosomiasis. Briefly, mice were treated with PZQ followed by ASC injection showing significant reduction of the granulomas and normal levels of the enzyme alanine aminotransferase, an indicator of liver damage. These results suggest that ASC has the potential to be used as a novel therapeutic approach to control inflammation following infection by S. mansoni or liver disorders. Although the findings are promising, further studies using the chronic model of schistosomiasis are required to confirm using ASC for schistosomiasis therapy.

Unexpected encounter of the parasitic kind

Both parasitology and stem cell research are important disciplines in their own right. Parasites are a real threat to human health causing a broad spectrum of diseases and significant annual rates morbidity and mortality globally. Stem cell research, on the other hand, focuses on the potential for regenerative medicine for a range of diseases including cancer and regenerative therapies. Though these two topics might appear distant, there are some “unexpected encounters”. In this review, we summarise the various links between parasites and stem cells. First, we discuss how parasites’ own stem cells represent interesting models of regeneration that can be translated to human stem cell regeneration. Second, we explore the interactions between parasites and host stem cells during the course of infection. Third, we investigate from a clinical perspective, how stem cell regeneration can be exploited to help circumvent the damage induced by parasitic infection and its potential to serve as treatment options for parasitic diseases in the future. Finally, we discuss the importance of screening for pathogens during organ transplantation by presenting some clinical cases of parasitic infection following stem cell therapy.

The prospective role of mesenchymal stem cells exosomes on circumvallate taste buds in induced Alzheimer's disease of ovariectomized albino rats: (Light and transmission electron microscopic study)

OBJECTIVE

To elucidate the effect of Alzheimer's disease on the structure of circumvallate papilla taste buds and the possible role of exosomes on the taste buds in Alzheimer's disease.

DESIGN

Forty two ovariectomized female adult albino rats were utilized and divided into: Group I: received vehicle. Group II: received aluminum chloride to induce Alzheimer's disease. Group III: after the induction of Alzheimer's disease, each rat received single dose of exosomes then left for 4 weeks. The circumvallate papillae were prepared for examination by light and transmission electron microscope.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

histomorphometric data were statistically analyzed.

RESULTS

Histological examination of circumvallate papilla in Group I showed normal histological features. Group II revealed distorted features. Group III illustrated nearly normal histological features of circumvallate. Silver impregnation results showed apparently great number of heavily impregnated glossopharyngeal nerve fibers in both Groups I & III but markedly decreased in Group II. Synaptophysin-immunoreactivity was strong in Group I, mild in Group II and moderate in Group III. The ultra-structural examination of taste bud cells revealed normal features in Group I, distorted features in Group II and almost normal features in Group III. Statistically highest mean of Synaptophysin-immunoreactivity area% was for Group I, followed by Group III, and the least value was for Group II.

CONCLUSIONS

Alzheimer's disease has degenerative effects. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BM-MSC)-derived exosomes have the ability to improve the destructive changes induced by Alzheimer's disease.

Therapeutic potential effect of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells on chronic liver disease in murine Schistosomiasis Mansoni

Some reports have shown that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) therapy could ameliorate chemically-induced hepatic fibrosis. This research assesses the therapeutic action of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) on chronic diseased liver in Schistosoma mansoni infected mice. All infected female mice divided into three groups, one group (15 mice) treated with oral praziquantel (PZQ), second group (15 mice) received intravenous injection of BM-MSCs and third group (15 mice) treated with both MSCs + PZQ. Two control groups (15 mice each) subdivided into one infected and second healthy one. BM-MSCs were obtained from bones of both femur and tibia of male mice (30 mice), then cultured and characterized morphologically by detection of CD105 by flow cytometer. Liver tissues for all groups were examined histopathologically. Measuring of the collagen 1 gene expression was done by real-time PCR and immunohistochemical study to detect stem cells differentiation for detection of MSCs engraftments in liver tissue. MSCs treatment caused marked improvement and regression of fibrosis, and prevents deposition of collagen and reduced the expression of collagen 1 gene in infected mice on their liver tissues, especially when used with PZQ in mice treatment. It can be concluded that, MSCs is a good therapeutic method for liver fibrosis caused by S. mansoni infection.

Current status of research on liver regeneration

The liver has a strong regenerative potential, and liver regeneration shows different ways according to the degree of liver injury. The current research on liver regeneration has achieved some promising results, and the cellular and molecular mechanism of liver regeneration has been deeply studied. Recently, the role of biomechanical factors in liver regeneration is gradually attracting attention. In addition to the proliferation of liver cells, liver regeneration also involves the proliferation and differentiation of hepatic stem cells. However, the exact mechanism of liver regeneration is not fully clear. This review will summarize the relevant studies on liver regeneration to discuss the current research status of liver regeneration, with regard to the liver regeneration model, cellular and molecular mechanism of liver regeneration, the effects of mechanical factors on regeneration, and the role of stem cells in liver regeneration. A better understanding of liver regeneration will provide a new avenue for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of liver related diseases.