Matrix cells from Wharton's jelly form neurons and glia

The potential therapeutic effect of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes in bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic lung disease of preterm infants, with its incidence rising due to improved survival rates of these infants. BPD results from a combination of prenatal and postnatal factors, such as mechanical ventilation, oxygen toxicity, and infections, all of which significantly impact the prognosis and growth of affected infants. Current treatment options for BPD are largely supportive and do not address the underlying pathology. Exosomes are cell-derived bilayer-enclosed membrane structures enclosing proteins, lipids, RNAs, growth factors, cytokines and metabolites. They have become recognized as crucial regulators of intercellular communication in various physiological and pathological processes. Previous studies have revealed the therapeutic potential of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells-derived exosomes (HUCMSCs-Exos) in promoting tissue repair and regeneration. Therefore, HUCMSCs-Exos maybe a promising and effective therapeutic modality for BPD. In this review, we firstly provide a comprehensive overview of BPD, including its etiology and the mechanisms of lung injury. Then we detail the isolation, characterization, and contents of HUCMSCs-Exos, and discuss their potential mechanisms of HUCMSCs-Exos in BPD treatment. Additionally, we summarize current clinical trials and discuss the challenges in translating these findings from bench to bedside. This review aims to lay the groundwork for future clinical applications of HUCMSCs-Exos in treating BPD.

The effect of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells combined with concentrated growth factor on repairing necrotic pulp caused by dental caries

This study investigated the impact of combining human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) with concentrated growth factor (CGF) on regenerating necrotic pulp. Ten-month-old male Bama miniature pigs were divided into control and caries groups. The experimental teeth were randomly divided into three groups: caries untreated, Ca(OH)2, and engineering dental pulp-like tissue (EDPT). hUC-MSCs and CGF scaffold were combined to construct EDPT, and the histological structure was observed. Odontoblasts and dental pulp cells were counted in each group. The results showed that hUC-MSCs adhered firmly to the porous mesh CGF scaffold, grew vigorously, and stretched sufficiently. In the EDPT group, odontoblasts in the root canal were arranged neatly, and predentin was formed. The odontoblast and dental pulp cell counts in the EDPT group were statistically significant compared to the caries untreated and Ca(OH)2 groups. The hUC-MSCs-CGF could successfully repair necrotic pulp in animals with dental caries.

Role of hsa-miR-543-KIF5C/CALM3 pathway in neuron differentiation of embryonic mesenchymal stem cells

BACKGROUND

Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) have the ability to differentiate into nerve cells, which offers promising options for treating neurodegenerative diseases.

AIM

To explore the important regulatory molecules of hUC-MSCs differentiation into neurons.

METHOD

In this research, the neural differentiation of hUC-MSCs was induced by a low-serum DMSO/BHA/DMEM medium. The GEO database was used to retrieve the relevant datasets. The starBase and miEAA databases were used for bioinformatics analysis. RT-qPCR was used to detect the hsa-miR-543 level and the mRNA levels of NSE, NeuN, NF-M, KIF5C, and CALM3. The protein levels of KIF5C and CALM3 were checked by western blotting.

RESULTS

The expression levels of NSE, NeuN, NF-M, KIF5C, and CALM3 were elevated, while hsa-miR-543 was under-expressed in neuro-induced hUC-MSCs. The increase in NSE, NeuN, and NF-M mRNA levels induced by DMSO/BHA/DMEM was partially reversed by the knockdown of KIF5C and CALM3 in hUC-MSCs. Moreover, the transfection of hsa-miR-543 mimic partially countered the DMSO/BHA/DMEM-induced elevation in NSE, NeuN, NF-M, KIF5C, and CALM3 mRNA levels.

CONCLUSION

KIF5C and CALM3 facilitated the neuronal differentiation of hUC-MSCs, whereas hsa-miR-543 exerted an opposing effect by negatively regulating KIF5C and CALM3.

Human post-implantation blastocyst-like characteristics of Muse cells isolated from human umbilical cord

Muse cells, identified as cells positive for the pluripotent surface marker SSEA-3, are pluripotent-like endogenous stem cells located in the bone marrow (BM), peripheral blood, and organ connective tissues. The detailed characteristics of SSEA-3(+) cells in extraembryonic tissue, however, are unknown. Here, we demonstrated that similar to human-adult tissue-Muse cells collected from the BM, adipose tissue, and dermis as SSEA-3(+), human-umbilical cord (UC)-SSEA-3(+) cells express pluripotency markers, differentiate into triploblastic-lineage cells at a single cell level, migrate to damaged tissue, and exhibit low telomerase activity and non-tumorigenicity. Notably, ~ 20% of human-UC-SSEA-3(+) cells were negative for X-inactive specific transcript (XIST), a naïve pluripotent stem cell characteristic, whereas all human adult tissue-Muse cells are XIST-positive. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed that the gene expression profile of human-UC-SSEA-3(+) cells was more similar to that of human post-implantation blastocysts than human-adult tissue-Muse cells. The DNA methylation level showed the same trend, and notably, the methylation levels in genes particularly related to differentiation were lower in human-UC-SSEA-3(+) cells than in human-adult tissue-Muse cells. Furthermore, human-UC-SSEA-3(+) cells newly express markers specific to extraembryonic-, germline-, and hematopoietic-lineages after differentiation induction in vitro whereas human-adult tissue-Muse cells respond only partially to the induction. Among various stem/progenitor cells in living bodies, those that exhibit properties similar to post-implantation blastocysts in a naïve state have not yet been found in humans. Easily accessible human-UC-SSEA-3(+) cells may be a valuable tool for studying early-stage human development and human reproductive medicine.

Comparison of different sources of mesenchymal stem cells: focus on inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) poses a significant challenge in modern medicine, with conventional treatments limited by efficacy and associated side effects, necessitating innovative therapeutic approaches. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have emerged as promising candidates for IBD treatment due to their immunomodulatory properties and regenerative potential. This thesis aims to explore and compare various sources of MSC and evaluate their efficacy in treating IBD. This study comprehensively analyses MSC derived from multiple sources, including bone marrow, adipose tissue, umbilical cord, and other potential reservoirs. Core elements of this investigation include assessing differences in cell acquisition, immunomodulatory effects, and differentiation capabilities among these MSC sources, as well as comparing their clinical trial outcomes in IBD patients to their therapeutic efficacy in animal models. Through meticulous evaluation and comparative analysis, this thesis aims to elucidate disparities in the efficacy of different MSC sources for IBD treatment, thereby identifying the most promising therapeutic applications. The findings of this study are intended to advance our understanding of MSC biology and offer valuable insights for selecting the most effective MSC sources for personalized IBD therapy. Ultimately, this research endeavor will optimise therapeutic strategies for managing inflammatory bowel disease through the utilization of MSC.

Simulated lunar microgravity transiently arrests growth and induces osteocyte-chondrocyte lineage differentiation in human Wharton's jelly stem cells

Human Wharton's jelly stem cells (hWJSCs) are multipotent stem cells that are extensively employed in biotechnology applications. However, the impact of simulated lunar microgravity (sμG) on the growth, differentiation, and viability of this cell population is incompletely characterized. We aimed to determine whether acute (72 h) exposure to sμG elicited changes in growth and lineage differentiation in hWJSCs and if putative changes were maintained once exposure to terrestrial gravity (1.0 G) was restored. hWJSCs were cultured under standard 1.0 G conditions prior to being passaged and cultured under sμG (0.16 G) using a random positioning machine. Relative to control, hWJSCs cultured under sμG exhibited marked reductions in growth but not viability. Cell population expression of characteristic stemness markers (CD 73, 90, 105) was significantly reduced under sμG conditions. hWJSCs had 308 significantly upregulated and 328 significantly downregulated genes when compared to 1.0 G culture conditions. Key markers of cell replication, including MKI67, were inhibited. Significant upregulation of osteocyte-chondrocyte lineage markers, including SERPINI1, MSX2, TFPI2, BMP6, COMP, TMEM119, LUM, HGF, CHI3L1 and SPP1, and downregulation of cell fate regulators, including DNMT1 and EZH2, were detected in sμG-exposed hWJSCs. When returned to 1.0 G for 3 days, sμG-exposed hWJSCs had accelerated growth, and expression of stemness markers increased, approaching normal (i.e. 95%) levels. Our data support earlier findings that acute sμG significantly reduces the cell division potential of hWJSCs and suggest that acute sμG-exposure induces reversible changes in cell growth accompanied by osteocyte-chondrocyte changes in lineage differentiation.

Efficacy of IFN-γ-Primed Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Temporomandibular Joint Osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND

Temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA) is a degenerative disease affecting the cartilage and subchondral bone, leading to temporomandibular joint pain and dysfunction. The complex nature of TMJOA warrants effective alternative treatments, and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown promise in regenerative therapies. The aim of this study is twofold: firstly, to ascertain the optimal interferon-gamma (IFN-γ)-primed MSC cell line for TMJOA treatment, and secondly, to comprehensively evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of IFN-γ-primed mesenchymal stem cells derived from the human umbilical cord matrix in a rat model of TMJOA.

METHODS

We analyzed changes in the expression of several key genes associated with OA protection in MSC-secreted compounds. Following this, we performed co-culture experiments using a transwell system to predict gene expression changes in primed MSCs in the TMJOA environment. Subsequently, we investigated the efficacy of the selected IFN-γ-primed human umbilical cord matrix-derived MSCs (hUCM-MSCs) for TMJOA treatment in a rat model.

RESULTS

IFN-γ-primed MSCs exhibited enhanced expression of IDO, TSG-6, and FGF-2. Moreover, co-culturing with rat OA chondrocytes induced a decrease in pro-inflammatory and extracellular matrix degradation factors. In the rat TMJOA model, IFN-γ-primed MSCs with elevated IDO1, TSG-6, and FGF2 expression exhibited robust anti-inflammatory and therapeutic capacities, promoting the improvement of the inflammatory environment and cartilage regeneration.

CONCLUSION

These findings underscore the importance of prioritizing the mitigation of the inflammatory milieu in TMJOA treatment and highlight IFN-γ-primed MSCs secreting these three factors as a promising, comprehensive therapeutic strategy.

Ex vivo expansion of hematopoietic stem cells in two/ three-dimensional co-cultures with various source of stromal cells

The ex vivo expansion of hematopoietic stem cells, with both high quantities and quality, is considered a paramount issue in cell and gene therapy for hematological diseases. Complex interactions between the bone marrow microenvironment and hematopoietic stem cells reveal the importance of using 2D and 3D coculture as a physiological system simulator in the proliferation, differentiation, and homeostasis of HSCs. Herein, the capacity of mesenchymal stem cells derived from different sources to support the expansion and maintenance of HSPC was compared with each other. We evaluated the fold increase of HSPC, CD34 marker expression, cytokine secretion profile of different MSCs, and the frequency of hematopoietic colony-forming unit parameters. Our results show that there was no significant difference between adipose tissue-MSC, Wharton jelly-MSC, and Endometrial-MSCs in HSPC expansion (fold increase: 34.74±4.38 in Wj-MSC, 32.22±5.07 in AD-MSC, 25.9±1.27 in En-MSCs); However, there were significantly more than the expansion media alone (4.4±0.69). The results obtained from the cytokine secretion analysis also confirm these results. Also, there were significant differences in the clonogenicity of Wj-MSC, En-MSCs, and expansion media (CFU-GEMM: 7±1.73, 2.3±1.15, and 2.3±1.52), which indicated that Wj-MSC could significantly maintain the primitive state. As a result, using Wj-mesenchymal stem cells on a 3D coculture system effectively increases the HSPC expansion and maintains the colonization potential of hematopoietic stem cells.

Whole transcriptome scanning and validation of negatively related genes in UC-MSCs

Background

Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) are one of the most extensively researched stem cell types due to their potential for multi-lineage differentiation, secretion of regenerative factors, modulations of immunological activities, and the release of regenerative substances and influence immunological processes. Since UC-MSCs must be cultivated on a large scale for clinical use, selecting the appropriate storing passage, such as the usage-based passage of UC-MSCs, is critical for long-term autologous or allogeneic usage. Long-term cultivation of stem cells, on the other hand, causes them to lose their pluripotent differentiation capacity. As a result, distinguishing between high and low passages of UC-MSCs and identifying the particular variations associated with stem cells and their modes of action is essential for regenerative medicine. Therefore, we investigated the biological features and transcriptional changes of UC-MSCs over passages.

Methods

UC-MSCs were isolated from the tissues of the human umbilical cord, and UC-MSCs from five passages (P1, P3, P5, P10 and P15) with three repetitions were compared and identified based on morphology, cell markers, differentiation capacity, and aging-related characteristics. It was previously assumed that the phenotype of cells before the P10 passage was stable, defined as early passage, and that culture could be continued until the 15th passage, defined as late passage. Next, the five passages of UC-MSCs were sequenced using high-throughput complete transcriptome sequencing. Fuzzy C-Means Clustering (FCM) and Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) were used to find hub genes, and gene silencing was performed to investigate the impact of missing genes on the stemness of UC-MSC cells.

Results

UC-MSCs of different passages displayed similar surface markers, including CD73, CD105, CD90, CD34, CD45 and HLA-DR. However, the proliferation time of late-phase UC-MSCs was longer than that of early-phase UC-MSCs, and the expression of the senescence-associated (SA)-β-gal staining marker was higher. At the same time, pluripotency markers (NANOG, OCT4, SOX2 and KIF4A) were down-regulated, and the multi-differentiation potential was reduced. Meanwhile, KIFC1 and UBE2C were down-regulated in late-phase UC-MSCs, which were involved in the maintenance of stemness.

Conclusions

KIFC1 and UBE2C were highly expressed in early-UC-MSCs and showed a downward gradient trend with cell expansion in vitro. They regulated UC-MSC proliferation, colony sphere formation, multiple differentiation, stemness maintenance, and other biological manifestations. Therefore, they are anticipated to be new biomarkers for UC-MSCs quality identification in regenerative medicine applications.

Isolation of Vascular Wall Mesenchymal Stem Cells from the Thoracic Aorta of Adult Göttingen Minipigs: A New Protocol for the Simultaneous Endothelial Cell Collection

Two main classes of perivascular multipotent populations have been described: the microvascular pericytes and the vascular wall mesenchymal stem cells (VW-MSCs). VW-MSCs are isolated from large vessels in many species and they participate in vascular remodeling together with other cellular components such as endothelial cells. Considering that the Göttingen Minipigs are widely used in Europe as a translational model in the field of cardiovascular diseases, the aim of the present research was to isolate VW-MSCs from the adult aorta of Göttingen Minipigs while preserving and also collecting endothelial cells. The results obtained in the present research demonstrated that this new protocol allows us to obtain a pure population of VW-MSCs and endothelial cells. VW-MSCs from Göttingen Minipigs responded fully to the MSC minima international criteria, being positive to CD105, CD90, and CD44 and negative to CD45 and CD34. Moreover, VW-MSCs presented a differentiative potential towards osteogenic, chondrogenic, and adipogenic lineages. Overall, the present protocol, preserving the viability and phenotypic features of the two isolated populations, opens future possibilities of using minipig VW-MSCs and endothelial cells in in vitro vascular remodeling studies.

Facing the Challenges in the COVID-19 Pandemic Era: From Standard Treatments to the Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells as a New Therapeutic Strategy

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which counts more than 650 million cases and more than 6.6 million of deaths worldwide, affects the respiratory system with typical symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and fatigue. Other nonpulmonary manifestations are related with abnormal inflammatory response, the "cytokine storm", that could lead to a multiorgan disease and to death. Evolution of effective vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 provided multiple options to prevent the infection, but the treatment of the severe forms remains difficult to manage. The cytokine storm is usually counteracted with standard medical care and anti-inflammatory drugs, but researchers moved forward their studies on new strategies based on cell therapy approaches. The perinatal tissues, such as placental membranes, amniotic fluid, and umbilical cord derivatives, are enriched in mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) that exert a well-known anti-inflammatory role, immune response modulation, and tissue repair. In this review, we focused on umbilical-cord-derived MSCs (UC-MSCs) used in in vitro and in vivo studies in order to evaluate the weakening of the severe symptoms, and on recent clinical trials from different databases, supporting the favorable potential of UC-MSCs as therapeutic strategy.

Apoptosis Related Human Wharton's Jelly-Derived Stem Cells Differentiation into Osteoblasts, Chondrocytes, Adipocytes and Neural-like Cells-Complete Transcriptomic Assays

Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) exhibit multilineage differentiation potential, adhere to plastic, and express a specific set of surface markers-CD105, CD73, CD90. Although there are relatively well-established differentiation protocols for WJ-MSCs, the exact molecular mechanisms involved in their in vitro long-term culture and differentiation remain to be elucidated. In this study, the cells were isolated from Wharton's jelly of umbilical cords obtained from healthy full-term deliveries, cultivated in vitro, and differentiated towards osteogenic, chondrogenic, adipogenic and neurogenic lineages. RNA samples were isolated after the differentiation regimen and analyzed using an RNA sequencing (RNAseq) assay, which led to the identification of differentially expressed genes belonging to apoptosis-related ontological groups. ZBTB16 and FOXO1 were upregulated in all differentiated groups as compared to controls, while TGFA was downregulated in all groups. In addition, several possible novel marker genes associated with the differentiation of WJ-MSCs were identified (e.g., SEPTIN4, ITPR1, CNR1, BEX2, CD14, EDNRB). The results of this study provide an insight into the molecular mechanisms involved in the long-term culture in vitro and four-lineage differentiation of WJ-MSCs, which is crucial to utilize WJ-MSCs in regenerative medicine.

Application of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in neurodegenerative disorders: History, findings, and prospective challenges

Over the past few decades, the application of mesenchymal stem cells has captured the attention of researchers and practitioners worldwide. These cells can be obtained from practically every tissue in the body and are used to treat a broad variety of conditions, most notably neurological diseases such as Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Alzheimer's disease. Studies are still being conducted, and the results of these studies have led to the identification of several different molecular pathways involved in the neuroglial speciation process. These molecular systems are closely regulated and interconnected due to the coordinated efforts of many components that make up the machinery responsible for cell signaling. Within the scope of this study, we compared and contrasted the numerous mesenchymal cell sources and their cellular features. These many sources of mesenchymal cells included adipocyte cells, fetal umbilical cord tissue, and bone marrow. In addition, we investigated whether these cells can potentially treat and modify neurodegenerative illnesses.

Advantages of mesenchymal stem cell over the other stem cells

A stem cell is a particular group of cells that has the extraordinary potential to convert within the body into particular cell types. They are used to regenerate tissues and cells in the body that have been damaged or destroyed by the disease. Stem cells come in three different varieties: adult stem cells, embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Embryonic stem cells have a high chance of immune rejection and also have ethical dilemmas and iPSCs have genetic instability. Adult stem cells are difficult to analyze and extract for research since they are frequently insufficient in native tissues. However, mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) one of the categories of adult stem cells are stromal cells with a variety of potentials that can differentiate into a wide range of cell types. MSCs can be transplanted into a variety of people without worrying about rejection because they have demonstrated the ability to prevent an adverse reaction from the immune system. These transplants have powerful anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects and greatly enhance the body's inherent healing capacity. While MSCs do not offer treatment for illnesses, the idea behind them is to enable the body to recover sufficiently for a protracted reduction in symptoms. In many cases, this is sufficient to significantly enhance the patient's well-being. Inspite of several advantages some potential long-term concerns connected to MSC therapy are maldifferentiation, immunosuppression and cancerous tumor growth. In this review, we will compare the mesenchymal stem cells with other stem cells with respect to the source of origin, their properties and therapeutic applications, and discuss the MSC's disadvantages.

Single-Cell and Spatial Transcriptomics Decodes Wharton's Jelly-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Heterogeneity and a Subpopulation with Wound Repair Signatures

The highly heterogeneous characteristics of Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) may be responsible for the poor clinical outcomes and poor reproducibility of treatments based on WJ-MSCs. Exploration of WJ-MSC heterogeneity with multimodal single-cell technologies will aid in establishing accurate MSC subtyping and developing screening protocols for dominant functional subpopulations. Here, the characteristics of WJ-MSCs are systematically analyzed by single cell and spatial transcriptome sequencing. Single-cell transcriptomics analysis identifies four WJ-MSC subpopulations, namely proliferative_MSCs, niche-supporting_MSCs, metabolism-related_MSCs and biofunctional-type_MSCs. Furthermore, the transcriptome, cellular heterogeneity, and cell-state trajectories of these subpopulations are characterized. Intriguingly, the biofunctional-type MSCs (marked by S100A9, CD29, and CD142) selected in this study exhibit promising wound repair properties in vitro and in vivo. Finally, by integrating omics data, it has been found that the S100A9⁺ CD29⁺ CD142⁺ subpopulation is more enriched in the fetal segment of the umbilical cord, suggesting that this subpopulation deriving from the fetal segment may have potential for developing into an ideal therapeutic agent for wound healing. Overall, the presented study comprehensively maps the heterogeneity of WJ-MSCs and provides an essential resource for future development of WJ-MSC-based drugs.

Umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal cells-from bench to bedside

In recent years, mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have generated a lot of attention due to their paracrine and immuno-modulatory properties. mesenchymal stromal cells derived from the umbilical cord (UC) are becoming increasingly recognized as having increased therapeutic potential when compared to mesenchymal stromal cells from other sources. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the various compartments of umbilical cord tissue from which mesenchymal stromal cells can be isolated, the differences and similarities with respect to their regenerative and immuno-modulatory properties, as well as the single cell transcriptomic profiles of in vitro expanded and freshly isolated umbilical cord-mesenchymal stromal cells. In addition, we discuss the therapeutic potential and biodistribution of umbilical cord-mesenchymal stromal cells following systemic administration while providing an overview of pre-clinical and clinical trials involving umbilical cord-mesenchymal stromal cells and their associated secretome and extracellular vesicles (EVs). The clinical applications of umbilical cord-mesenchymal stromal cells are also discussed, especially in relation to obstacles and potential solutions for their effective translation from bench to bedside.

hUCMSCs reduce theca interstitial cells apoptosis and restore ovarian function in premature ovarian insufficiency rats through regulating NR4A1-mediated mitochondrial mechanisms

BACKGROUND

Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs, retrospectively registered) have a lot of promise for treating theca interstitial cells(TICs) dysfunction in premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). The mechanisms, however, are still unknown.

METHODS

To examine the therapeutic and find the cause, we used both in vivo cisplatin-induced POI rat model and in vitro TICs model. HUCMSCs were injected into the tail veins of POI rats in an in vivo investigation. Then, using ELISA, HE staining, TUNEL apoptosis test kit, immunohistochemistry and western blot, researchers examined hormonal levels, ovarian morphology, TICs apoptosis, NR4A1 and Cyp17a1 in response to cisplatin treatment and hUCMSCs. TICs were obtained from the ovaries of rats and treated with the cisplatin, hUCMSCs supernatant, and the antagonist of NR4A1--DIM-C-pPhOH. ELISA, immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, JC-1 labeling and western blot analysis were used to detect T levels, Cyp17a1, NR4A1, and the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, as well as pro-apoptotic proteins Bax, caspase-9, caspase-3, and cytochrome C(cytc).

RESULTS

We discovered that hUCMSCs restored the ovarian function, particularly TICs function based on measures of Cyp17a1 and T expression. NR4A1 was found in ovarian TICs of each group and NR4A1 expression was lower in the POI rats but higher following hUCMSCs therapy. The apoptosis of TICs generated by cisplatin was reduced after treatment with hUCMSCs. In vitro, NR4A1 was expressed in the nucleus of TICs, and NR4A1 as well as phospho-NR4A1 were decreased, following the apoptosis of TICs was emerged after cisplatin treatment. Interestingly, the localization of NR4A1 was translocated from the nucleus to the cytoplasm due to cisplatin. HUCMSCs were able to boost NR4A1 and phospho-NR4A1 expression while TICs' apoptosis and JC-1 polymorimonomor fluorescence ratios reduced. Furthermore, Bcl-2 expression dropped following cisplatin treatment, whereas Bax, cytc, caspase-9, and caspase-3 expression rose; however, hUCMSCs treatment reduced their expression. In addition, DIM-C-pPhOH had no effect on the NR4A1 expression, but it did increase the expression of apoptosis-related factors such as Bax, cytc, caspase-9, and caspase-3, causing the apoptosis of TICs.

CONCLUSIONS

These data show that hUCMSCs therapy improves ovarian function in POI rats by inhibiting TICs apoptosis through regulating NR4A1 -mediated mitochondrial mechanisms.

Rationale for the Use of Cord Blood in Hypoxic-Ischaemic Encephalopathy

Hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a severe complication of asphyxia at birth. Therapeutic hypothermia, the standard method for HIE prevention, is effective in only 50% of the cases. As the understanding of the immunological basis of these changes increases, experiments have begun with the use of cord blood (CB) because of its neuroprotective properties. Mechanisms for the neuroprotective effects of CB stem cells include antiapoptotic and anti-inflammatory actions, stimulation of angiogenesis, production of trophic factors, and mitochondrial donation. In several animal models of HIE, CB decreased oxidative stress, cell death markers, CD4+ T cell infiltration, and microglial activation; restored normal brain metabolic activity; promoted neurogenesis; improved myelination; and increased the proportion of mature oligodendrocytes, neuron numbers in the motor cortex and somatosensory cortex, and brain weight. These observations translate into motor strength, limb function, gait, and cognitive function and behaviour. In humans, the efficacy and safety of CB administration were reported in a few early clinical studies which confirmed the feasibility and safety of this intervention for up to 10 years. The results of these studies showed an improvement in the developmental outcomes over hypothermia. Two phase-2 clinical studies are ongoing under the United States regulations, namely one controlled study and one blinded study.

Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Based in vitro Model for Neurotoxicity Testing

Neurotoxicity (NT) testing for regulatory purposes is based on in vivo animal testing. There is general consensus, however, about the need for the development of alternative methodologies to allow researchers to more rapidly and cost effectively screen large numbers of chemicals for their potential to cause NT, or to investigate their mode of action. In vitro assays are considered an important source of information for making regulatory decisions, and human cell-based systems are recommended as one of the most relevant models in toxicity testing, to reduce uncertainty in the extrapolation of results from animal-based models. Human neuronal models range from various neuroblastoma cell lines to stem cell-derived systems, including those derived from mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (hMSC). hMSCs exhibit numerous advantages, including the fact that they can be obtained in high yield from healthy human adult tissues, can be cultured with a minimal laboratory setup and without genetic manipulations, are able of continuous and repeated self-renewal, are nontumorigenic, and can form large populations of stably differentiated cells representative of different tissues, including neuronal cells. hMSCs derived from human umbilical cord (hUC) in particular possess several prominent advantages, including a painless, non-invasive, and ethically acceptable collection procedure, simple and convenient preparation, and high proliferation capacity. In addition, hMSCs can be efficiently differentiated into neuron-like cells (hNLCs), which can then be used for the assessment of neuronal toxicity of potential neurotoxic compounds in humans. Here, we describe a step-by-step procedure to use hMSCs from the umbilical cord for in vitro neurotoxicity testing. First, we describe how to isolate, amplify, and store hMSCs derived from the umbilical cord. We then outline the steps to transdifferentiate these cells into hNLCs, and then use the hNLCs for neurotoxicity testing by employing multiple common cytotoxicity assays after treatment with test compounds. The approach follows the most updated guidance on using human cell-based systems. These protocols will allow investigators to implement an alternative system for obtaining primary NLCs of human origin, and support advancement in neurotoxicity research. © 2022 The Authors. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Isolation and maintenance of human mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (hMSCs) obtained from the umbilical cord lining membrane Basic Protocol 2: Transdifferentiation of hMSCs into neuron-like cells (hNLCs) and basic neurotoxicity assessment.

Single-Cell Transcriptome Integration Analysis Reveals the Correlation Between Mesenchymal Stromal Cells and Fibroblasts

Background: Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and fibroblasts show similar morphology, surface marker expression, and proliferation, differentiation, and immunomodulatory capacities. These similarities not only blur their cell identities but also limit their application. Methods: We performed single-cell transcriptome sequencing of the human umbilical cord and foreskin MSCs (HuMSCs and FSMSCs) and extracted the single-cell transcriptome data of the bone marrow and adipose MSCs (BMSCs and ADMSCs) from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Then, we performed quality control, batch effect correction, integration, and clustering analysis of the integrated single-cell transcriptome data from the HuMSCs, FMSCs, BMSCs, and ADMSCs. The cell subsets were annotated based on the surface marker phenotypes for the MSCs (CD105 ⁺ , CD90 ⁺, CD73 ⁺, CD45 ^-, CD34 ^-, CD19 ^-, HLA-DRA ^-, and CD11b ^-), fibroblasts (VIM ⁺, PECAM1 ^-, CD34 ^-, CD45 ^-, EPCAM ^-, and MYH11 ^-), and pericytes (CD146 ⁺, PDGFRB ⁺, PECAM1 ^-, CD34 ^-, and CD45 ^-). The expression levels of common fibroblast markers (ACTA2, FAP, PDGFRA, PDGFRB, S100A4, FN1, COL1A1, POSTN, DCN, COL1A2, FBLN2, COL1A2, DES, and CDH11) were also analyzed in all cell subsets. Finally, the gene expression profiles, differentiation status, and the enrichment status of various gene sets and regulons were compared between the cell subsets. Results: We demonstrated 15 distinct cell subsets in the integrated single-cell transcriptome sequencing data. Surface marker annotation demonstrated the MSC phenotype in 12 of the 15 cell subsets. C10 and C14 subsets demonstrated both the MSC and pericyte phenotypes. All 15 cell subsets demonstrated the fibroblast phenotype. C8, C12, and C13 subsets exclusively demonstrated the fibroblast phenotype. We identified 3,275 differentially expressed genes, 305 enriched gene sets, and 34 enriched regulons between the 15 cell subsets. The cell subsets that exclusively demonstrated the fibroblast phenotype represented less primitive and more differentiated cell types. Conclusion: Cell subsets with the MSC phenotype also demonstrated the fibroblast phenotype, but cell subsets with the fibroblast phenotype did not necessarily demonstrate the MSC phenotype, suggesting that MSCs represented a subclass of fibroblasts. We also demonstrated that the MSCs and fibroblasts represented highly heterogeneous populations with distinct cell subsets, which could be identified based on the differentially enriched gene sets and regulons that specify proliferating, differentiating, metabolic, and/or immunomodulatory functions.

Induced Neurodifferentiation of hBM-MSCs through Activation of the ERK/CREB Pathway via Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields and Physical Stimulation Promotes Neurogenesis in Cerebral Ischemic Models

Stroke is among the leading causes of death worldwide, and stroke patients are more likely to live with permanent disabilities even after treatment. Several treatments are being developed to improve the quality of life of patients; however, these treatments still have important limitations. Our study thus sought to evaluate the neural differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBM-MSCs) at various pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) frequencies. Furthermore, the effects of selected frequencies in vivo were also evaluated using a mouse ischemia stroke model. Cell proliferation decreased by 20% in the PEMF group, as demonstrated by the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) secretion increased by approximately 10% in an LDH release assay. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis demonstrated that CD73 and CD105 were downregulated in the PEMF group at 60 Hz. Moreover, microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP-2) and neurofilament light chain (NF-L) were upregulated in cell cultures at 60 and 75 Hz. To assess the effects of PEMF in vivo, cerebral ischemia mice were exposed to a PEMF at 60 Hz. Neural-related proteins were significantly upregulated in the PEMF groups compared with the control and cell group. Upon conducting rotarod tests, the cell/PEMF group exhibited significant differences in motor coordination at 13 days post-treatment when compared with the control and stem-cell-treated group. Furthermore, the cell and cell/PEMF group exhibited a significant reduction in the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) in the induced ischemic area compared with the control. Collectively, our findings demonstrated that PEMFs at 60 and 75 Hz could stimulate hBM-MSCs neural differentiation in vitro, in addition to promoting neurogenesis to enhance the functional recovery process by reducing the post-stroke inflammatory reaction.

Potential of Human Neural Precursor Cells in Diabetic Retinopathy Therapeutics - Preclinical Model

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate a cell therapy strategy with human neural precursor cells (hNPCs) to treat diabetic retinopathy (DR) in Wistar rats induced to diabetes by injecting streptozotocin.

Material and methods: Wharton's Jelly Mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) were isolated, expanded, and seeded onto a biopolymer substrate to develop neurospheres and obtain the hNPCs. The animals were divided into three groups; non-diabetic (ND) n = four; diabetic without treatment (DM) n = nine; and diabetic with cell therapy (DM + hNPCs) n = nine. After eight weeks of diabetes induction and DR characteristics installed, intravitreal injection of hNPCs (1 x 10⁶ cel/µL) was performed in the DM + hNPCs group. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and Electroretinography (ERG) evaluations were before and during diabetes and after cell therapy. Four weeks post-treatment, histopathological and immunohistochemistry analyses were performed.

Results: The repair of the retinal structures in the treated group (DM + hNPCs) was observed by increased thickness of neuroretinal layers, especially in the ganglion cell and photoreceptor layers, higher ERG oscillatory potentials (OPs) amplitudes, and transplanted hNPCs integration into the Retinal Pigment Epithelium.

Conclusions: The results indicate that hNPCs reduced DR progression by a neuroprotective effect and promoted retinal repair, making them potential candidates for regenerating the neuroretinal tissue.

DNA barcode to trace the development and differentiation of cord blood stem cells (Review)

Umbilical cord blood transplantation was first reported in 1980. Since then, additional research has indicated that umbilical cord blood stem cells (UCBSCs) have various advantages, such as multi-lineage differentiation potential and potent renewal activity, which may be induced to promote their differentiation into a variety of seed cells for tissue engineering and the treatment of clinical and metabolic diseases. Recent studies suggested that UCBSCs are able to differentiate into nerve cells, chondrocytes, hepatocyte-like cells, fat cells and osteoblasts. The culture of UCBSCs has developed from feeder-layer to feeder-free culture systems. The classical techniques of cell labeling and tracing by gene transfection and fluorescent dye and nucleic acid analogs have evolved to DNA barcode technology mediated by transposon/retrovirus, cyclization recombination-recombinase and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 strategies. DNA barcoding for cell development tracing has advanced to include single cells and single nucleic acid mutations. In the present study, the latest research findings on the development and differentiation, culture techniques and labeling and tracing of UCBSCs are reviewed. The present study may increase the current understanding of UCBSC biology and its clinical applications.

Stem cells as a potential therapeutic option for treating neurodegenerative diseases

In future, neurodegenerative diseases will take over cancer's place and become the major cause of death in the world, especially in developed countries. Advancements in the medical field and its facilities have led to an increase in the old age population, and thus contributing to the increase in number of people suffering from neurodegenerative diseases. Economically it is of a great burden to society and the affected family. No current treatment aims to replace, protect, and regenerate lost neurons; instead, it alleviates the symptoms, extends the life span by a few months and creates severe side effects. Moreover, people who are affected are physically dependent for performing their basic activities, which makes their life miserable. There is an urgent need for therapy that could be able to overcome the deficits of conventional therapy for neurodegenerative diseases. Stem cells, the unspecialized cells with the properties of self-renewing and potency to differentiate into various cells types can become a potent therapeutic option for neurodegenerative diseases. Stem cells have been widely used in clinical trials to evaluate their potential in curing different types of ailments. In this review, we discuss the various types of stem cells and their potential use in the treatment of neurodegenerative disease based on published preclinical and clinical studies.

CGF Membrane Promotes Periodontal Tissue Regeneration Mediated by hUCMSCs through Upregulating TAZ and Osteogenic Differentiation Genes

Concentrated growth factor (CGF) membranes are widely used in basic and clinical research of soft and hard tissue regeneration, but its effect on periodontal tissue regeneration is less studied. This study explored the role of CGF membranes in periodontal tissue regeneration mediated by human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs). HUCMSCs and human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (HPLFs) were extracted and identified by microscope and flow cytometry. The effects of the extracted CGF membrane on cell viability, osteogenic differentiation ability, osteopontin (OPN) expression, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) content, and osteogenic differentiation-related genes (Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2); osteocalcin (OCN); ALP), Tafazzin (TAZ) expression, and nuclear transfer were examined by MTT assay, alizarin red staining, immunofluorescence, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and Western blot. Rescue experiments were performed to examine the effects of TAZ transfection and cell coculture. In the identified hUCMSCs (positive expressions of CD29, CD44, CD146, and CD105), overexpressed TAZ (pc-TAZ) enhanced the promotive effect of CGF membrane on cell viability, cell cycle, mineralization, ALP content and expressions of OPN, TAZ and osteogenic differentiation-related genes, and nuclear transfer. However, silencing TAZ showed opposite effects. The coculture of hUCMSCs and HPLFs further promoted the basic biological functions of HPLFs by upregulating osteogenic differentiation-related genes and COL-1 but downregulated MMP1 expression. Pc-TAZ could enhance the effect of CGF membrane on promoting periodontal tissue regeneration. CGF membrane promoted periodontal tissue regeneration through upregulating TAZ and osteogenic differentiation-related genes.

Stereological and Histological Assessment of the Umbilical Cord in New-Born Rat

BACKGROUND

Umbilical cord plays a crucial role in the continuation of pregnancy by transferring nutrition and oxygen across the placenta to the fetus. We aimed to investigate the morphometrical and histological features of the umbilical cords in new-born rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The adult male and female rats were chosen for matting purpose in the present study. Briefly, ten adult Wistar albino rats (female, n = 5; male, n = 5) were randomly assigned into five groups of two animals (female, n = 1; male, n = 1). Immediately after parturition, two umbilical cords of new-born rats (0-day-old) from each group were randomly selected. Finally, ten umbilical cord samples were examined using the histological and stereological methods in the light and electron microscopes.

RESULTS

The total numbers of Hofbauer cells and mesenchymal stromal cells was estimated statistically. We also calculated the mean volume of umbilical cords, arteries and veins, as well as arterial and venous lumens. Our histological findings also exhibited the histological features of Hofbauer cells, mesenchymal stromal cell cells, and blood vessels.

CONCLUSION

Our findings showed more detailed information about umbilical cord tissues and their components, and that may contribute to the diagnose of umbilical cord complications in the developing fetus.

Comparison of the Characteristics of Breast Milk-derived Stem Cells with the Stem Cells Derived from the Other Sources: A Comparative Review

Breast milk (BrM) not only supplies nutrition, but it also contains a diverse population of cells. It has been estimated that up to 6% of the cells in human milk possess the characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). Available data also indicate that these cells are multipotent and capable of self-renewal and differentiation with other cells. In this review, we have compared different characteristics, such as CD markers, differentiation capacity, and morphology of stem cells, derived from human breast milk (hBr-MSC) with human bone marrow (hBMSC), Wharton's jelly (WJMSC), and human adipose tissue (hADMSC). Through the literature review, it was revealed that human breast milk-derived stem cells specifically express a group of cell surface markers, including CD14, CD31, CD45, and CD86. Importantly, a group of markers, CD13, CD29, CD44, CD105, CD106, CD146, and CD166, were identified, which were common in the four sources of stem cells. WJMSC, hBMSC, hADMSC, and hBr-MSC are potently able to differentiate into the mesoderm, ectoderm, and endoderm cell lineages. The ability of hBr-MSCs todifferentiate into the neural stem cells, neurons, adipocyte, hepatocyte, chondrocyte, osteocyte, and cardiomyocytes has made these cells a promising source of stem cells in regenerative medicine, while isolation of stem cells from the commonly used sources, such as bone marrow, requires invasive procedures. Although autologous breast milk-derived stem cells are an accessible source for women who are in the lactation period, breast milk can be considered as a source of stem cells with high differentiation potential without any ethical concern.

Human Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promote Corneal Epithelial Repair In Vitro

Corneal injuries are among the leading causes of blindness and vision impairment. Trauma, infectious keratitis, thermal and chemical (acids and alkali burn) injuries may lead to irreversible corneal scarring, neovascularization, conjunctivalization, and limbal stem cell deficiency. Bilateral blindness constitutes 12% of total global blindness and corneal transplantation remains a stand-alone treatment modality for the majority of end-stage corneal diseases. However, global shortage of donor corneas, the potential risk of graft rejection, and severe side effects arising from long-term use of immunosuppressive medications, demands alternative therapeutic approaches. Umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells can be isolated in large numbers using a relatively less invasive procedure. However, their role in injury induced corneal repair is largely unexplored. Here, we isolated, cultured and characterized mesenchymal stem cells from human umbilical cord, and studied the expression of mesenchymal (CD73, CD90, CD105, and CD34), ocular surface and epithelial (PAX6, WNT7A, and CK-8/18) lineage markers through immunofluorescence. The cultured human limbal and corneal epithelial cells were used as controls. Scratch assay was used to study the corneal epithelial repair potential of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells, in vitro. The in vitro cultured umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells were plastic adherent, showed trilineage differentiation and expressed: mesenchymal markers CD90, CD105, CD73; epithelial marker CK-8/18, and ocular lineage developmental markers PAX6 and WNT-7A. Our findings suggest that umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells promote repair of the injured corneal epithelium by stimulating the proliferation of corneal epithelial cells, in vitro. They may serve as a potential non-ocular source of stem cells for treating injury induced bilateral corneal diseases.

Reduction of Graft-versus-Host-Disease in NOD.Cg-Prkdcscid Il2rgtm1Wjl/SzJ (NSG) Mice by Cotransplantation of Syngeneic Human Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is one of the major complications following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, which remains the sole curative therapy for many malignant diseases of the hematopoietic system. The immunomodulatory potential of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) to treat GVHD is currently being tested in various preclinical and clinical trials. Because the results of the preclinical and clinical trials on the use of MSCs to treat GVHD have not been consistent, we analyzed the potential beneficial effects of syngeneic versus allogenic treatment, culture expansion of MSCs, and various MSC cell doses and time points of MSC transplantation in a murine GVHD model. We established the murine GVHD model based on the transplantation of umbilical cord blood-derived hematopoietic stem cells (UC-HSCs) and used this model to assess the therapeutic potential of umbilical cord blood-derived MSCs (UC-MSCs). The use of HSC and MSC populations derived from the same donor allowed us to exclude third-party cells and test the UC-HSCs and UC-MSCs in a matched setting. Moreover, we were able to compare various doses, transplantation time points, and the influence of culture expansion of MSCs on the impact of treatment. This resulted in 16 different treatment groups. The most efficient setting for treatment of UC-HSC-induced GVHD reactions was based on the simultaneous administration of 1 × 10⁶ culture-expanded, syngeneically matched UC-MSCs. This therapy effectively reduced the number of CD8⁺ T cells in the blood, protected the mice from weight loss, and prolonged their survival until the end of observation period. Taken together, our data show beneficial effects of (1) syngeneic over allogeneic UC-HSCs and UC-MSCs, (2) culture-expanded cells over freshly isolated primary cells, (3) simultaneous over sequential administration, and (4) high doses of UC-MSCs. The animal model of GVHD established here is now available for more detailed studies, including a comparative analysis of the efficacy of MSCs derived from alternative sources, such as adipose tissue and bone marrow.

Preclinical Studies and Clinical Prospects of Wharton's Jelly-Derived MSC for Treatment of Acute Radiation Syndrome

Purpose of Review

Wharton’s jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) have received widespread attention from researchers owing to the remarkable benefits offered by these cells over other stem cells. The primitive nature of WJ-MSCs, ease of isolation, differentiation ability, and immuno-modulatory nature make these cells superior to bone marrow MSCs and ideal to treat various human ailments. This review explores ability of WJ-MSCs to mitigate acute radiation syndrome caused by planned or unplanned radiation exposure.

Recent Findings

Recent reports suggest that WJ-MSCs home to damaged tissues in irradiated host and mitigate radiation induced damage to radiosensitive tissues such as hematopoietic and gastrointestinal systems. WJ-MSCs and conditioned media were found to protect mice from radiation induced mortality and also prevent radiation dermatitis. Local irradiation-induced lung toxicity in mice was significantly reduced by CXCR4 over-expressing WJ-MSCs.

Summary

Emerging evidences support safety and effectiveness of WJ-MSCs for treatment of acute radiation syndrome and lung injury after planned or accidental exposure. Additionally, conditioned media collected after culturing WJ-MSCs can also be used for mitigation of radiation dermatitis. Clinical translation of these findings would be possible after careful evaluation of resilience, effectiveness, and molecular mechanism of action of xenogeneic WJ-MSCs in non-human primates.

Influence of Hypothermic Storage Fluids on Mesenchymal Stem Cell Stability: A Comprehensive Review and Personal Experience

Mesenchymal stem cells have generated a great deal of interest due to their potential use in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. Examples illustrating their therapeutic value across various in vivo models are demonstrated in the literature. However, some clinical trials have not proved their therapeutic efficacy, showing that translation into clinical practice is considerably more difficult and discrepancies in clinical protocols can be a source of failure. Among the critical factors which play an important role in MSCs’ therapeutic efficiency are the method of preservation of the stem cell viability and various characteristics during their storage and transportation from the GMP production facility to the patient’s bedside. The cell storage medium should be considered a key factor stabilizing the environment and greatly influencing cell viability and potency and therefore the effectiveness of advanced therapy medicinal product (ATMP) based on MSCs. In this review, we summarize data from 826 publications concerning the effect of the most frequently used cell preservation solutions on MSC potential as cell-based therapeutic medicinal products.

Biological Aspects and Clinical Applications of Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Key Features You Need to be Aware of

Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs), a form of adult stem cells, are known to have a selfrenewing property and the potential to specialize into a multitude of cells and tissues such as adipocytes, cartilage cells, and fibroblasts. MSCs can migrate and home to the desired target zone where inflammation is present. The unique characteristics of MSCs in repairing, differentiation, regeneration, and the high capacity of immune modulation have attracted tremendous attention for exerting them in clinical purposes, as they contribute to the tissue regeneration process and anti-tumor activity. The MSCs-based treatment has demonstrated remarkable applicability towards various diseases such as heart and bone malignancies, and cancer cells. Importantly, genetically engineered MSCs, as a stateof- the-art therapeutic approach, could address some clinical hurdles by systemic secretion of cytokines and other agents with a short half-life and high toxicity. Therefore, understanding the biological aspects and the characteristics of MSCs is an imperative issue of concern. Herein, we provide an overview of the therapeutic application and the biological features of MSCs against different inflammatory diseases and cancer cells. We further shed light on MSCs' physiological interaction, such as migration, homing, and tissue repairing mechanisms in different healthy and inflamed tissues.

Therapeutic Potential of Niche-Specific Mesenchymal Stromal Cells for Spinal Cord Injury Repair

The use of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) for transplant-mediated repair represents an important and promising therapeutic strategy after spinal cord injury (SCI). The appeal of MSCs has been fuelled by their ease of isolation, immunosuppressive properties, and low immunogenicity, alongside the large variety of available tissue sources. However, despite reported similarities in vitro, MSCs sourced from distinct tissues may not have comparable biological properties in vivo. There is accumulating evidence that stemness, plasticity, immunogenicity, and adaptability of stem cells is largely controlled by tissue niche. The extrinsic impact of cellular niche for MSC repair potential is therefore important, not least because of its impact on ex vivo expansion for therapeutic purposes. It is likely certain niche-targeted MSCs are more suited for SCI transplant-mediated repair due to their intrinsic capabilities, such as inherent neurogenic properties. In addition, the various MSC anatomical locations means that differences in harvest and culture procedures can make cross-comparison of pre-clinical data difficult. Since a clinical grade MSC product is inextricably linked with its manufacture, it is imperative that cells can be made relatively easily using appropriate materials. We discuss these issues and highlight the importance of identifying the appropriate niche-specific MSC type for SCI repair.

Challenges and solutions for fabrication of three-dimensional cocultures of neural cell-loaded biomimetic constructs

Fabrication of three-dimensional (3D) constructs to model body tissues and organs can contribute to research into tissue development and models for studying disease, as well as supporting preclinical drug screening in vitro. Furthermore, 3D constructs can also be used for diagnosis and therapy of disease conditions via lab on a chip and microarrays for diagnosis and engineered products for tissue repair, replacement, and regeneration. While cell culture approaches for studying tissue development and disease in two dimensions are long-established, the translation of this knowledge into 3D environments remains a fertile field of research. In this Tutorial, we specifically focus on the application of biosynthetic hydrogels for neural cell encapsulation. The Tutorial briefly covers background on using biosynthetic hydrogels for cell encapsulation, as well as common fabrication techniques. The Methods section focuses on the hydrogel design and characterization, highlighting key elements and tips for more effective approaches. Coencapsulation of different cell types, and the challenges associated with different growth and maintenance requirements, is the main focus of this Tutorial. Much care is needed to blend different cell types, and this Tutorial provides tips and insights that have proven successful for 3D coculture in biosynthetic hydrogels.

Nerve growth factor (NGF) and NGF receptors in mesenchymal stem/stromal cells: Impact on potential therapies

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) are promising for the treatment of degenerative diseases and traumatic injuries. However, MSC engraftment is not always successful and requires a strong comprehension of the cytokines and their receptors that mediate the biological behaviors of MSCs. The effects of nerve growth factor (NGF) and its two receptors, TrkA and p75NTR, on neural cells are well studied. Increasing evidence shows that NGF, TrkA, and p75NTR are also involved in various aspects of MSC function, including their survival, growth, differentiation, and angiogenesis. The regulatory effect of NGF on MSCs is thought to be achieved mainly through its binding to TrkA. p75NTR, another receptor of NGF, is regarded as a novel surface marker of MSCs. This review provides an overview of advances in understanding the roles of NGF and its receptors in MSCs as well as the effects of MSC‐derived NGF on other cell types, which will provide new insight for the optimization of MSC‐based therapy.

From Embryo to Adult: One Carbon Metabolism in Stem Cells

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells with self-renewal property and varying differentiation potential that allow the regeneration of tissue cells of an organism throughout adult life beginning from embryonic development. Through the asymmetric cell divisions, each stem cell replicates itself and produces an offspring identical with the mother cell, and a daughter cell that possesses the characteristics of a progenitor cell and commits to a specific lineage to differentiate into tissue cells to maintain homeostasis. To maintain a pool of stem cells to ensure tissue regeneration and homeostasis, it is important to regulate the metabolic functioning of stem cells, progenitor cells and adult tissue stem cells that will meet their internal and external needs. Upon fertilization, the zygote transforms metabolic reprogramming while implantation, embryonic development, organogenesis processes and after birth through adult life. Metabolism in stem cells is a concept that is relatively new to be enlightened. There are no adequate and comprehensive in vitro studies on the comparative analysis of the effects of one-carbon (1-C) metabolism on fetal and adult stem cells compared to embryonic and cancer stem cells' studies that have been reported recently. Since 1-C metabolism is linking parental environmental/ dietary factors and fetal development, investigating the epigenetic, genetic, metabolic and developmental effects on adult period is necessary. Several mutations and abnormalities in 1-C metabolism have been noted in disease changing from diabetes, cancer, pregnancy-related outcomes such as pre-eclampsia, spontaneous abortion, placental abruption, premature delivery, and cardiovascular diseases. In this review, the effects of 1-C metabolism, mainly the methionine and folate metabolism, in stem cells that exist in different developmental stages will be discussed.

Porcine Umbilical Cord Perivascular Cells for Preclinical Testing of Tissue-Engineered Heart Valves

Many children born with congenital heart disease need a heart valve repair or replacement. Currently available repair materials and valve replacements are incapable of growth, repair, and adaptation, rendering them inadequate for growing children. Heart valve tissue engineering (HVTE) aims to develop living replacement valves that can meet these needs. Among numerous cell sources for in vitro HVTE, umbilical cord perivascular cells (UCPVCs) are particularly attractive because they are autologous, readily available, and have excellent regenerative capacity. As an essential step toward preclinical testing of heart valves engineered from UCPVCs, the goal of this study was to establish methods to isolate, expand, and promote extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis by UCPVCs from pigs (porcine umbilical cord perivascular cells [pUCPVCs]), as a relevant preclinical model. We determined that Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium with 20% fetal bovine serum supported isolation and substantial expansion of pUCPVCs, whereas media designed for human mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) expansion did not. We further demonstrated the capacity of pUCPVCs to synthesize the main ECM components of heart valves (collagen type I, elastin, and glycosaminoglycans), with maximal collagen and elastin per-cell production occurring in serum-free culture conditions using StemMACS™ MSC Expansion Media. Altogether, these results establish protocols that enable the use of pUCPVCs as a viable cell source for preclinical testing of engineered heart valves. Impact statement This study establishes methods to successfully isolate, expand, and promote the synthesis of the main extracellular matrix components of heart valves (collagen type I, elastin, and glycosaminoglycans) by porcine umbilical cord perivascular cells (pUCPVCs). These protocols enable further evaluation of pUCPVCs as an autologous, readily available, and clinically relevant cell source for preclinical testing of pediatric tissue-engineered heart valves.

Therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells in treating both types of diabetes mellitus and associated diseases

Diabetes mellitus is a common lifestyle disease which can be classified into type 1 diabetes mellitus and type 2 diabetes mellitus. While both result in hyperglycemia due to lack of insulin action and further associated chronic ailments, there is a marked distinction in the cause for each type due to which both require a different prophylaxis. As observed, type 1 diabetes is caused due to the autoimmune action of the body resulting in the destruction of pancreatic islet cells. On the other hand, type 2 diabetes is caused either due to insulin resistance of target cells or lack of insulin production as per physiological requirements. Attempts to cure the disease have been made by bringing drastic changes in the patients' lifestyle; parenteral administration of insulin; prescription of drugs such as biguanides, meglitinides, and amylin; pancreatic transplantation; and immunotherapy. While these attempts cause a certain degree of relief to the patient, none of these can cure diabetes mellitus. However, a new treatment strategy led by the discovery of mesenchymal stem cells and their unique immunomodulatory and multipotent properties has inspired therapies to treat diabetes by essentially reversing the conditions causing the disease. The current review aims to enumerate the role of various mesenchymal stem cells and the different approaches to treat both types of diabetes and its associated diseases as well.

Evaluating the effect of transplanting umbilical cord matrix stem cells on ischemic tolerance in an animal model of stroke

OBJECTIVE

Stroke, a cerebrovascular disease, has been introduced as the second cause of death and physical disability in the world. Recently, cell-based therapy has been considered by the scientific community as a promising strategy for reducing ischemic damages. The stem cells of the umbilical cord release growth and neurotrophic factors. The remarkable properties of these cells are the reason why they were selected as a potential candidate in the present research.

METHODS

In this study, the impact of transplanting umbilical cord stem cells on injuries resulting from ischemia was investigated. The male rats were categorized into three major. Using stereotaxic surgery, stem cells were injected to the right striatum of the brain. One week after transplantation, cerebral ischemic induction surgery was performed. The rats in the transplantation + ischemia group were separately divided into distinct sub-groups to explore the score of the neurological deficits, infarction volume, integrity of the blood-brain barrier, and brain edema.

RESULTS

In this study, a significant decrease was observed in the neurological deficits of the transplantation + ischemia group compared with those of the control group. Similarly, the volume of infarction, the permeability of the blood-brain barrier, and edema were significantly reduced in the transplantation + ischemia group in comparison with those of the control group.

CONCLUSION

The pretreatment of the transplanted umbilical cord stem cells in the striatum of ischemic rats possibly leads to restorative events, exerting a decreasing effect on cell death. Subsequently, these events may improve the motor ability and reduce ischemic injuries.

Combined Transplantation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Endothelial Colony-Forming Cells Accelerates Refractory Diabetic Foot Ulcer Healing

Background

This study is aimed at investigating the effect of combined transplantation of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSCs) and umbilical cord blood-derived endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs) on diabetic foot ulcer healing and at providing a novel therapy for chronic diabetic foot ulcer.

Methods

We reported the treatment of refractory diabetic foot ulcers in twelve patients. Among them, five patients had two or more wounds; thus, one wound in the same patient was treated with cell injection, and other wounds were regarded as self-controls. The remaining seven patients had only one wound; therefore, the difference between the area of wound before and after treatment was estimated. The UCMSCs and ECFCs were injected into the wound along with topically applied hyaluronic acid (HA).

Results

In this report, we compared the healing rate of multiple separate wounds in the same foot of the same patient: one treated with cell injection combined with topically applied HA-based hydrogel and was later covered by the hydrocolloid dressings, while the self-control wounds were only treated with conventional therapy and covered by the hydrocolloid dressings. The wound underwent cell injection showed accelerated healing in comparison to control wound within the first week after treatment. In other diabetic patients with only one refractory wound, the healing rate after cell transplantation was significantly faster than that before injection. Two large wounds healed without needing skin grafts after combination therapy of cell injection and HA. After four weeks of combination treatment, wound closure was reached in six patients, and the wounds of the other six patients were significantly reduced in size.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that the combination of UCMSCs, ECFCs, and HA can safely synergize the accelerated healing of refractory diabetic foot ulcers.

Advances in translational orthopaedic research with species-specific multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells derived from the umbilical cord

Compliance with current regulations for the development of innovative medicines require the testing of candidate therapies in relevant translational animal models prior to human use. This poses a great challenge when the drug is composed of cells, not only because of the living nature of the active ingredient but also due to its human origin, which can subsequently lead to a xenogeneic response in the animals. Although immunosuppression is a plausible solution, this is not suitable for large animals and may also influence the results of the study by altering mechanisms of action that are, in fact, poorly understood. For this reason, a number of procedures have been developed to isolate homologous species-specific cell types to address preclinical pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics and toxicology. In this work, we present and discuss advances in the methodologies for derivation of multipotent Mesenchymal Stromal Cells derived from the umbilical cord, in general, and Wharton's jelly, in particular, from medium to large animals of interest in orthopaedics research, as well as current and potential applications in studies addressing proof of concept and preclinical regulatory aspects.

Infusion of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Improves Regenerative Niche in Thioacetamide-Injured Mouse Liver

BACKGROUND

This study investigated whether xenotransplantation of human Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) reduces thioacetamide (TAA)-induced mouse liver fibrosis and the underlying molecular mechanism.

METHODS

Recipient NOD/SCID mice were injected intraperitoneally with TAA twice weekly for 6 weeks before initial administration of WJ-MSCs. Expression of regenerative and pro-fibrogenic markers in mouse fibrotic livers were monitored post cytotherapy. A hepatic stallate cell line HSC-T6 and isolated WJ-MSCs were used for in vitro adhesion, migration and mechanistic studies.

RESULTS

WJ-MSCs were isolated from human umbilical cords by an explant method and characterized by flow cytometry. A single infusion of WJ-MSCs to TAA-treated mice significantly reduced collagen deposition and ameliorated liver fibrosis after 2-week therapy. In addition to enhanced expression of hepatic regenerative factor, hepatocyte growth factor, and PCNA proliferative marker, WJ-MSC therapy significantly blunted pro-fibrogenic signals, including Smad2, RhoA, ERK. Intriguingly, reduction of plasma fibronectin (pFN) in fibrotic livers was noted in MSC-treated mice. In vitro studies further demonstrated that suspending MSCs triggered pFN degradation, soluble pFN conversely retarded adhesion of suspending MSCs onto type I collagen-coated surface, whereas pFN coating enhanced WJ-MSC migration across mimicked wound bed. Moreover, pretreatment with soluble pFN and conditioned medium from MSCs with pFN strikingly attenuated the response of HSC-T6 cells to TGF-β1-stimulation in Smad2 phosphorylation and RhoA upregulation.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that cytotherapy using WJ-MSCs may modulate hepatic pFN deposition for a better regenerative niche in the fibrotic livers and may constitute a useful anti-fibrogenic intervention in chronic liver diseases.

Mesenchymal Stem/Progenitor Cells: The Prospect of Human Clinical Translation

Mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells (MSCs) are key players in regenerative medicine, relying principally on their differentiation/regeneration potential, immunomodulatory properties, paracrine effects, and potent homing ability with minimal if any ethical concerns. Even though multiple preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated remarkable properties for MSCs, the clinical applicability of MSC-based therapies is still questionable. Several challenges exist that critically hinder a successful clinical translation of MSC-based therapies, including but not limited to heterogeneity of their populations, variability in their quality and quantity, donor-related factors, discrepancies in protocols for isolation, in vitro expansion and premodification, and variability in methods of cell delivery, dosing, and cell homing. Alterations of MSC viability, proliferation, properties, and/or function are also affected by various drugs and chemicals. Moreover, significant safety concerns exist due to possible teratogenic/neoplastic potential and transmission of infectious diseases. Through the current review, we aim to highlight the major challenges facing MSCs' human clinical translation and shed light on the undergoing strategies to overcome them.

Cell therapy for prenatal repair of myelomeningocele: A systematic review

Myelomeningocele (MMC) is a spinal cord congenital defect that leads to paraplegia, bladder incontinence and bowel dysfunction. A randomized human trial demonstrated that in utero surgical repair of the MMC defect improves lower limb motor function. However, functional recovery remains incomplete. Stem cell therapy has recently generated great interest in the field of prenatal repair of MMC. In this systematic review we attempt to provide an overview of the current application of stem cells in different animal models of MMC. Publications were retrieved from PubMed and Cochrane Library databases. This process yielded twenty-two studies for inclusion in this review, experimenting five different types of stem cells: human embryonic stem cells, neural stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, human amniotic fluid stem cells, and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Rodents and ovine were the two major species used for animal model studies. The source, the aims, and the main results were analyzed. Stem cell therapy appears to be a promising candidate for prenatal repair of MMC, especially MSCs. Further explorations in ovine and rodent models, reporting clinical and functional results, are necessary before an application in humans.

Human Wharton's Jelly-Cellular Specificity, Stemness Potency, Animal Models, and Current Application in Human Clinical Trials

Stem cell therapies offer a great promise for regenerative and reconstructive medicine, due to their self-renewal and differentiation capacity. Although embryonic stem cells are pluripotent, their utilization involves embryo destruction and is ethically controversial. Therefore, adult tissues that have emerged as an alternative source of stem cells and perinatal tissues, such as the umbilical cord, appear to be particularly attractive. Wharton's jelly, a gelatinous connective tissue contained in the umbilical cord, is abundant in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that express CD105, CD73, CD90, Oct-4, Sox-2, and Nanog among others, and have the ability to differentiate into osteogenic, adipogenic, chondrogenic, and other lineages. Moreover, Wharton's jelly-derived MSCs (WJ-MSCs) do not express MHC-II and exhibit immunomodulatory properties, which makes them a good alternative for allogeneic and xenogeneic transplantations in cellular therapies. Therefore, umbilical cord, especially Wharton's jelly, is a promising source of mesenchymal stem cells.

Placenta mesenchymal stem cells differentiation toward neuronal-like cells on nanofibrous scaffold

Introduction: Transplantation of stem cells with a nanofibrous scaffold is a promising approach for spinal cord injury therapy. The aim of this work was to differentiate neural-like cells from placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells (PDMSCs) using suitable induction reagents in three (3D) and two dimensional (2D) culture systems. Methods: After isolation and characterization of PDMSCs, the cells were cultivated on poly-L-lactide acid (PLLA)/poly caprolactone (PCL) nanofibrous scaffold and treated with a neuronal medium for 7 days. Electron microscopy, qPCR, and immunostaining were used to examine the differentiation of PDMSCs (on scaffold and tissue culture polystyrene [TCPS]) and the expression rate of neuronal markers (beta-tubulin, nestin, GFAP, and MAP-2). Results: qPCR analysis showed that beta-tubulin (1.672 fold; P ≤ 0.0001), nestin (11.145 fold; P ≤ 0.0001), and GFAP (80.171; P ≤ 0.0001) gene expressions were higher on scaffolds compared with TCPS. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that nestin and beta-tubulin proteins were recognized in the PDMSCs differentiated on TCPS and scaffold after 7 days in the neuroinductive differentiation medium. Conclusion: Taken together, these results delegated that PDMSCs differentiated on PLLA/PCL scaffolds are more likely to differentiate towards diversity lineages of neural cells. It proposed that PDMSCs have cell subpopulations that have the capability to be differentiated into neurogenic cells.

Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Wharton's Jelly Towards Neural Stem Cells Using A Feasible and Repeatable Protocol

The transplantation of neural stem cells (NSCs) capable of regenerating to the cells of the central nervous system (CNS) is a promising strategy in the treatment of CNS diseases and injury. As previous studies have highlighted mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as a source of NSCs, this study aimed to develop a feasible, efficient, and reproducible method for the neural induction of MSCs isolated from Wharton's jelly (hWJ-MSCs). We induced neural differentiation in a monolayer culture using epidermal growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, N2, and B27 supplements. This resulted in a homogenous population of proliferating cells that expressed certain neural markers at both the protein and mRNA levels. Flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry confirmed the expression of neural markers: nestin, sex-determining region Y (SRY) box 1 and 2 (SOX1 and SOX2), microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). The qRT-PCR analysis revealed significantly enhanced expression of nestin and MAP2 in differentiated cells. This study confirms that it is possible to generate NSCs-like cells from hWJ-MSCs in a 2D culture using a practical method. However, the therapeutic effectiveness of such differentiated cells should be extended to confirm the terminal differentiation ability and electrophysiological properties of neurons derived from them.

Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes act via the miR-1263/Mob1/Hippo signaling pathway to prevent apoptosis in disuse osteoporosis

Disuse osteoporosis (DOP) is a common complication resulting from the lack of or disuse of mechanical loading and has been unsatisfactorily treated. We hypothesized that exosomes derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (HUCMSCs) could reduce bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) apoptosis in rat DOP via the miR-1263/Mob1/Hippo signaling pathway. To evaluate the function of exosomes derived from HUCMSCs (HUCMSC-Exos) in DOP, hind limb unloading (HLU)-induced DOP rat models were prepared. In vitro, the proliferation of BMSCs were evaluated using CCK-8 assays. Further, the apoptosis of BMSCs were evaluated using annexin V-FITC assay and Western blots. In vivo, the protective effects of HUCMSC-Exos were evaluated using HE staining and microCT analysis. The underlying molecular mechanism of exosome action on BMSC apoptosis through the miR-1263/Mob1/Hippo pathway was also investigated by high-throughput RNA sequencing, luciferase reporter assays, RNA-pull down assays and Western blots. The RNA-seq and q-PCR results showed that the level of miR-1263 was most abundant among differentially expressed microRNAs. Exosomal miR-1263 could bind to the 3'untranslated region (3' UTR) of Mob1 and exert its function by directly targeting Mob1 in recipient cells. The inhibition of Mob1 could activate YAP expression. Hippo inhibition reversed the in vitro HLU-induced apoptotic effect on BMSCs. The microCT and HE staining results indicated that HUCMSC-Exos ameliorated DOP in vivo. Exosomes derived from HUCMSCs are effective at inhibiting BMSC apoptosis and preventing rat DOP. This mechanism is mediated by the miR-1263/Mob1/Hippo signaling pathway.

Centella asiatica (L.)-Neurodifferentiated Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promote the Regeneration of Peripheral Nerve

BACKGROUND

Centella asiatica (L.) is a plant with neuroprotective and neuroregenerative properties; however, its effects on the neurodifferentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and on peripheral nerve injury are poorly explored. This study aimed to investigate the effects of C. asiatica (L.)-neurodifferentiated MSCs on the regeneration of peripheral nerve in a critical-size defect animal model.

METHODS

Nerve conduit was developed using decellularised artery seeded with C. asiatica-neurodifferentiated MSCs (ndMSCs). A 1.5 cm sciatic nerve injury in Sprague-Dawley rat was bridged with reversed autograft (RA) (n = 3, the gold standard treatment), MSC-seeded conduit (MC) (n = 4) or ndMSC-seeded conduit (NC) (n = 4). Pinch test and nerve conduction study were performed every 2 weeks for a total of 12 weeks. At the 12th week, the conduits were examined by histology and transmission electron microscopy.

RESULTS

NC implantation improved the rats' sensory sensitivity in a similar manner to RA. At the 12th week, nerve conduction velocity was the highest in NC compared with that of RA and MC. Axonal regeneration was enhanced in NC and RA as shown by the expression of myelin basic protein (MBP). The average number of myelinated axons was significantly higher in NC than in MC but significantly lower than in RA. The myelin sheath thickness was higher in NC than in MC but lower than in RA.

CONCLUSION

NC showed promising effects on nerve regeneration and functional restoration similar to those of RA. These findings revealed the neuroregenerative properties of C. asiatica and its potential as an alternative strategy for the treatment of critical size nerve defect.