Exploring the Potential of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Sheet on The Development of Hepatocellular Carcinoma In Vivo

Establishment and evaluation of ectopic and orthotopic prostate cancer models using cell sheet technology

Background

The traditional prostate cancer (PCa) model is established by injecting cell suspension and is associated with a low tumor formation rate. Cell sheet technology is one of the advancements in tissue engineering for 3D cell-based therapy. In this study, we established ectopic and orthotopic PCa models by cell sheet technology, and then compared the efficiency of tumor formation with cell suspension injection.

Methods

DU145 cells were seeded on 35 mm temperature-sensitive dishes to form PCa cell sheets, while the cell suspension with the same cell density was prepared. After transplanting into the nude mice, the tumor volumes were measured every 3 days and the tumor growth curves were conducted. At the time points of 2 weeks and 4 weeks after the transplantation, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to evaluate the transplanting site and distant metastasis. Finally, the mice were sacrificed, and the related tissues were harvested for the further histological evaluation.

Results

The orthotopic tumor formation rate of the cell sheet injection group was obviously better than that in cell suspension injection group (100% vs 67%). Compared with cell suspension injection, the tumors of DU145 cell sheet fragments injection had the higher density of micro-vessels, more collagen deposition, and lower apoptosis rate. There was no evidence of metastasis in forelimb, lung and liver was found by MRI and histological tests.

Conclusion

We successfully cultured the DU145 cell sheet and can be used to establish ectopic and orthotopic PCa tumor-bearing models, which provide an application potential for preclinical drug development, drug-resistance mechanisms and patient individualized therapy.

The Dual Role of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells and Their Extracellular Vesicles in Carcinogenesis

Simple Summary

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane structures that play the role of intermediaries between tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME) because they have the ability to transport lipids, transcription factors, mRNA, and proteins. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a major component of the TME and may have different effects on tumor progression using EVs. This review includes information about various studies which have reported that EVs from MSCs can have either antitumor or pro-tumor effects, depending on both the tumor type and developmental stage. It provides an overview of the published data on EV MSCs and their effect on tumor cells. In addition, the use of EV MSCs for the development of new methods for treating oncological diseases is described.

Abstract

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a major component of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and play an important role in tumor progression. MSCs remodel the extracellular matrix, participate in the epithelial–mesenchymal transition, promote the spread of metastases, and inhibit antitumor immune responses in the TME; however, there are also data pertaining to the antitumor effects of MSCs. MSCs activate the cell death mechanism by modulating the expression of proteins involved in the regulation of the cell cycle, angiogenesis receptors, and proapoptotic proteins. One of the main ways in which MSCs and TME interact is through the production of extracellular vesicles (EVs) by cells. Currently, data on the effects of both MSCs and their EVs on tumor cells are rather contradictory. Various studies have reported that EVs from MSCs can have either antitumor or pro-tumor effects, depending on both the tumor type and developmental stage. In this review, we discuss published data on EV MSCs and their effect on tumor cells. The molecular composition of vesicles obtained from MSCs is also presented in the review. In addition, the use of EV MSCs for the development of new methods for treating oncological diseases is described.

The cytotoxicity of advanced glycation end products was attenuated by UCMSCs in human vaginal wall fibroblasts by inhibition of an inflammatory response and activation of PI3K/AKT/PTEN

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) occurs when the pelvic organs (bladder, bowel or uterus) herniate into the vagina, causing incontinence, voiding, and bowel and sexual dysfunction, negatively impacting upon a woman's quality of life. Intermediate intermolecular cross-links and advanced glycation cross-links increase in prolapsed tissue. Stem cells are able to participate in tissue repair due to their ability to differentiate into multiple lineages, and thus into various types of connective tissue cells, so they therefore hold great promise for treating pelvic floor dysfunction. The current study found that advanced glycation end products (AGEs) inhibited the viability and proliferation of human vaginal wall fibroblasts (VWFs), were cytotoxic to VWFs, and also induced the apoptosis of VWFs. In contrast, umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSCs) secreted anti-inflammation cytokines to protect against the cytotoxic effects of fibroblasts induced by AGEs and attenuated the cytotoxic effect of AGE on fibroblasts by activation of the PI3K/Akt-PTEN pathway. This study demonstrated that UCMSCs inhibited the cytotoxic effect of AGE in cells from patients with POP by inducing an anti-inflammatory reaction and activating the PI3K/AKT/PTEN signaling pathway. The current results provide important insights into use of stem cells to treat POP.

Scaffold-Free 3-D Cell Sheet Technique Bridges the Gap between 2-D Cell Culture and Animal Models

Various tissue engineering techniques have been created in research spanning two centuries, resulting in new opportunities for growing cells in culture and the creation of 3-D tissue-like constructs. These techniques are classified as scaffold-based and scaffold-free techniques. Cell sheet, as a scaffold-free technique, has attracted research interest in the context of drug discovery and tissue repair, because it provides more predictive data for in vivo testing. It is one of the most promising techniques and has the potential to treat degenerative tissues such as heart, kidneys, and liver. In this paper, we argue the advantages of cell sheets as a scaffold-free approach, compared to other techniques, including scaffold-based and scaffold-free techniques such as the classic systemic injection of cell suspension.

Response-Related Factors of Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Transplantation in Patients with Alcoholic Cirrhosis

Liver cirrhosis leads to hepatic dysfunction and life-threatening conditions. Although the clinical efficacy of autologous bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSC) transplantation in alcoholic cirrhosis (AC) was demonstrated, the relevant mechanism has not been elucidated. We aimed to identify the predictive factors and gene/pathways for responders after autologous BM-MSC transplantation. Fifty-five patients with biopsy-proven AC underwent autologous BM-MSC transplantation. The characteristics of responders who showed improvement in fibrosis score (≥1) after transplantation were compared with those of non-responders. BM-MSCs were analyzed with cDNA microarrays to identify gene/pathways that were differentially expressed in responders. Thirty-three patients (66%) were responders. A high initial Laennec score (p = 0.007, odds ratio 3.73) and performance of BM-MSC transplantation (p = 0.033, odds ratio 5.75) were predictive factors for responders. Three genes (olfactory receptor2L8, microRNA4520-2, and chloride intracellular channel protein3) were upregulated in responders, and CD36 and retinol-binding protein 4 are associated with the biologic processes that are dominant in non-responders. Eleven pathways (inositol phosphate, ATP-binding cassette transporters, protein-kinase signaling, extracellular matrix receptor interaction, endocytosis, phagosome, hematopoietic cell lineage, adipocytokine, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, fat digestion/absorption, and insulin resistance) were upregulated in non-responders (p < 0.05). BM-MSC transplantation may be warranted treatment for AC patients with high Laennec scores. Cell-based therapy utilizing response-related genes or pathways can be a treatment candidate.

Effects of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells on co-cultured ovarian carcinoma cells

Ovarian carcinoma is mainly treated by surgery aided by chemotherapy. If supplemented by stem cells treatment, its recurrence rate and mortality rate will be decreased. This is a new therapy. In this study, ovarian cancer cells were cultured together with umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSCs), and the interactions between them were observed. The results showed that the survival rates of UCMSCs increased to 83.8 ± 2.2% from 56.5 ± 5.5%, and the survival rates of ovarian cancer cells decreased to 16.2 ± 2.2% from 43.5 ± 5.5% with the progression of the cultural time from 24 to 96 hr. There was a significant difference between them (p < .05). It revealed that UCMSCs could inhibit the proliferation of ovarian cancer cells.