Neuronal plasticity of human Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stromal cells to the dopaminergic cell type compared with human bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells

Influence of ischemic microenvironment on human Wharton's Jelly mesenchymal stromal cells

INTRODUCTION

While in vivo studies suggest poor survival of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) after transplantation in ischemic conditions, in vitro studies report diverse effects on proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation of stem/precursor cells of different tissue-origin. The present focus is to understand the influence of ischemic microenvironment on the survival, proliferation, apoptosis, ROS-generation, antioxidant levels, immunophenotypic-expression and neurotrophic factor secretion of Wharton's Jelly (WJ)-MSCs.

METHOD

WJ-MSCs were cultured in normoxic and hypoxic conditions in presence and absence of serum and the end-point parameters were measured at 4 time-points. Cell survival, proliferation, apoptosis, ROS-generation and immunophenotypic-expression were quantitatively detected either by fluorimetry or flow cytometry techniques. ELISA-based methods were used for detection of antioxidant-substrate glutathione (GSH) and neurotrophic factors [vascular endothelial factor (VEGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)]. Expression of the antioxidants glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), was measured by real-time RT-PCR.

RESULT

Immunophenotypic analysis showed reduction in mesenchymal-marker (CD73, CD90, and CD105) expression under ischemic conditions influenced mainly by hypoxia, whereas the decrease in cell-survival under ischemic condition was mainly as a result of nutrition depletion. This was associated with increased ROS-generation and apoptosis and reduction in antioxidants (GSH, GPx, SOD1). For neurotrophic factors, ELISA-readings showed that VEGF and HGF secretion (which were higher in hypoxia) peaked at 48 h and decreased from 72 h, though BDNF release did not decrease.

DISCUSSION

Therapeutic benefits rendered by WJ-MSCs in in vitro ischemic microenvironment are highest at the 48 h time-point, declining thereafter with time probably due to failure in cellular defense systems and the onset of apoptosis.

CONCLUSION

It is hence clear that the growth factor deficiency is more lethal to the cells than hypoxia in ischemic microenvironment.

Stem cells from umbilical cord Wharton's jelly from preterm birth have neuroglial differentiation potential

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study is to determine the neuroglial differentiation potential of human Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) from preterm birth when compared to term delivery.

STUDY DESIGN

The WJ-MSCs from umbilical cords of preterm birth and term controls were isolated and induced into neural progenitors. The cells were analyzed for neuroglial markers by flow cytometry, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and immunocytochemistry.

RESULTS

Independent of gestational age, a subset of WJ-MSC displayed the neural progenitor cell markers Nestin and Musashi-1 and the mature neural markers microtubule-associated protein 2, glial fibrillary acidic protein, and myelin basic protein. Neuroglial induction of WJ-MSCs from term and preterm birth resulted in the enhanced transcription of Nestin and Musashi-1.

CONCLUSIONS

Undifferentiated WJ-MSCs from preterm birth express neuroglial markers and can be successfully induced into neural progenitors similar to term controls. Their potential use as cellular graft in neuroregenerative therapy for peripartum brain injury in preterm birth has to be tested.

Mesoderm-derived stem cells: the link between the transcriptome and their differentiation potential

Human adult stem cells (hASCs) have become an attractive source for autologous cell transplantation, tissue engineering, developmental biology, and the generation of human-based alternative in vitro models. Among the 3 germ cell layers, the mesoderm is the origin of today's most widely used and characterized hASC populations. A variety of isolated nonhematopoietic mesoderm-derived stem cell populations exist, and all of them show important differences in terms of function, efficacy, and differentiation potential both in vivo and in vitro. To better understand whether the intrinsic properties of these cells contribute to the overall differentiation potential of hASCs, we compared the global gene expression profiles of 4 mesoderm-derived stem cell populations: human adipose tissue-derived stromal cells, human bone marrow-derived stromal cells (hBMSCs), human (fore)skin-derived precursor cells (hSKPs), and human Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hWJs). Significant differences in gene expression profiles were detected between distinct stem cell types. hSKPs predominantly expressed genes involved in neurogenesis, skin, and bone development, whereas hWJs and, to some extent, hBMSCs showed an increased expression of genes involved in cardiovascular and liver development. Interestingly, the observed differential gene expression of distinct hASCs could be linked to existing differentiation data in which hASCs were differentiated toward specific cell types. As such, our data suggest that the intrinsic gene expression of the undifferentiated stem cells has an important impact on their overall differentiation potential as well as their application in stem cell-based research. Yet, the factors that define these intrinsic properties remain to be determined.

Bilateral transplantation of allogenic adult human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells into the subventricular zone of Parkinson's disease: a pilot clinical study

The progress of PD and its related disorders cannot be prevented with the medications available. In this study, we recruited 8 PD and 4 PD plus patients between 5 to 15 years after diagnosis. All patients received BM-MSCs bilaterally into the SVZ and were followed up for 12 months. PD patients after therapy reported a mean improvement of 17.92% during “on” and 31.21% during “off” period on the UPDRS scoring system. None of the patients increased their medication during the follow-up period. Subjectively, the patients reported clarity in speech, reduction in tremors, rigidity, and freezing attacks. The results correlated with the duration of the disease. Those patients transplanted in the early stages of the disease (less than 5 years) showed more improvement and no further disease progression than the later stages (11–15 years). However, the PD plus patients did not show any change in their clinical status after stem cell transplantation. This study demonstrates the safety of adult allogenic human BM-MSCs transplanted into the SVZ of the brain and its efficacy in early-stage PD patients.

Parkinson's disease and mesenchymal stem cells: potential for cell-based therapy

Cell transplantation is a strategy with great potential for the treatment of Parkinson's disease, and many types of stem cells, including neural stem cells and embryonic stem cells, are considered candidates for transplantation therapy. Mesenchymal stem cells are a great therapeutic cell source because they are easy accessible and can be expanded from patients or donor mesenchymal tissues without posing serious ethical and technical problems. They have trophic effects for protecting damaged tissues as well as differentiation ability to generate a broad spectrum of cells, including dopamine neurons, which contribute to the replenishment of lost cells in Parkinson's disease. This paper focuses mainly on the potential of mesenchymal stem cells as a therapeutic cell source and discusses their potential clinical application in Parkinson's disease.