Hepatocyte growth factor gene-modified bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells transplantation promotes angiogenesis in a rat model of hindlimb ischemia

Effect of Expansion Media on Functional Characteristics of Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells

The therapeutic efficacy of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) has been shown to rely on their immunomodulatory and regenerative properties. In order to obtain sufficient numbers of cells for clinical applications, MSCs have to be expanded ex vivo. Expansion media with xenogeneic-free (XF) growth-promoting supplements like human platelet lysate (PL) or serum- and xenogeneic-free (SF/XF) formulations have been established as safe and efficient, and both groups provide different beneficial qualities. In this study, MSCs were expanded in XF or SF/XF media as well as in mixtures thereof. MSCs cultured in these media were analyzed for phenotypic and functional properties. MSC expansion was optimal with SF/XF conditions when PL was present. Metabolic patterns, consumption of growth factors, and secretome of MSCs differed depending on the type and concentration of supplement. The lactate per glucose yield increased along with a higher proportion of PL. Many factors in the supernatant of cultured MSCs showed distinct patterns depending on the supplement (e.g., FGF-2, TGFβ, and insulin only in PL-expanded MSC, and leptin, sCD40L PDGF-AA only in SF/XF-expanded MSC). This also resulted in changes in cell characteristics like migratory potential. These findings support current approaches where growth media may be utilized for priming MSCs for specific therapeutic applications.

Stem Cell-Based Therapeutic Strategies for Premature Ovarian Insufficiency and Infertility: A Focus on Aging

Reproductive aging is on the rise globally and inseparable from the entire aging process. An extreme form of reproductive aging is premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), which to date has mostly been of idiopathic etiology, thus hampering further clinical applications and associated with enormous socioeconomic and personal costs. In the field of reproduction, the important functional role of inflammation-induced ovarian deterioration and therapeutic strategies to prevent ovarian aging and increase its function are current research hotspots. This review discusses the general pathophysiology and relative causes of POI and comprehensively describes the association between the aging features of POI and infertility. Next, various preclinical studies of stem cell therapies with potential for POI treatment and their molecular mechanisms are described, with particular emphasis on the use of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) technology in the current scenario. Finally, the progress made in the development of hiPSC technology as a POI research tool for engineering more mature and functional organoids suitable as an alternative therapy to restore infertility provides new insights into therapeutic vulnerability, and perspectives on this exciting research on stem cells and the derived exosomes towards more effective POI diagnosis and treatment are also discussed.

Emerging role of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs)-derived exosome in neurodegeneration-associated conditions: a groundbreaking cell-free approach

Accumulating proofs signify that pleiotropic effects of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are not allied to their differentiation competencies but rather are mediated mainly by the releases of soluble paracrine mediators, making them a reasonable therapeutic option to enable damaged tissue repair. Due to their unique immunomodulatory and regenerative attributes, the MSC-derived exosomes hold great potential to treat neurodegeneration-associated neurological diseases. Exosome treatment circumvents drawbacks regarding the direct administration of MSCs, such as tumor formation or reduced infiltration and migration to brain tissue. Noteworthy, MSCs-derived exosomes can cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and then efficiently deliver their cargo (e.g., protein, miRNAs, lipid, and mRNA) to damaged brain tissue. These biomolecules influence various biological processes (e.g., survival, proliferation, migration, etc.) in neurons, oligodendrocytes, and astrocytes. Various studies have shown that the systemic or local administration of MSCs-derived exosome could lead to the favored outcome in animals with neurodegeneration-associated disease mainly by supporting BBB integrity, eliciting pro-angiogenic effects, attenuating neuroinflammation, and promoting neurogenesis in vivo. In the present review, we will deliver an overview of the therapeutic benefits of MSCs-derived exosome therapy to ameliorate the pathological symptoms of acute and chronic neurodegenerative disease. Also, the underlying mechanism behind these favored effects has been elucidated.

Recent advances in the therapeutic efficacy of hepatocyte growth factor gene-modified mesenchymal stem cells in multiple disease settings

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy is considered a new treatment for a wide range of diseases and injuries, but challenges remain, such as poor survival, homing and engraftment rates, thus limiting the therapeutic efficacy of the transplanted MSCs. Many strategies have been developed to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of MSCs, such as preconditioning, co-transplantation with graft materials and gene modification. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is secreted by MSCs, which plays an important role in MSC therapy. It has been reported that the modification of the HGF gene is beneficial to the therapeutic efficacy of MSCs, including diseases of the heart, lung, liver, urinary system, bone and skin, lower limb ischaemia and immune-related diseases. This review focused on studies involving HGF/MSCs both in vitro and in vivo. The characteristics of HGF/MSCs were summarized, and the mechanisms of their improved therapeutic efficacy were analysed. Furthermore, some insights are provided for HGF/MSCs' clinical application based on our understanding of the HGF gene and MSC therapy.

Therapeutic Potential of HUMSCs in Female Reproductive Aging

With the development of regenerative medicine, stem cells are being considered more frequently for the treatment of reproductive aging. Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells have been reported to improve the reserve function of aging ovaries through their homing and paracrine effects. In this process, paracrine factors secreted by stem cells play an important role in ovarian recovery. Although the transplantation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells to improve ovarian function has been studied with great success in animal models of reproductive aging, their application in clinical research and therapy is still relatively rare. Therefore, this paper reviews the role of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of reproductive aging and their related mechanisms, and it does so in order to provide a theoretical basis for further research and clinical treatment.

Hepatocyte Growth Factor-Induced Tendon Stem Cell Conditioned Medium Promotes Healing of Injured Achilles Tendon

Tendon repair is a medical challenge. Our present study investigated the effectiveness of acellular therapy consisting of conditioned medium (CM) of tendon stem cells (TSCs) induced with hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in promoting the healing of injured Achilles tendon in a rat model. Proteomic analysis of soluble substances in the CM was performed using an array chip, and bioinformatic analysis was carried out to evaluate interactions among the factors. The effects of CM on viability and migratory capacity of tendon fibroblasts derived from rats with ruptured Achilles tendon were evaluated with the Cell Counting Kit 8 and wound healing assay, respectively. The expression of extracellular matrix (ECM)-related protein was assessed by western blotting. Rats with Achilles tendon injury were treated with CM by local injection for 2 weeks, and the organization of tendon fibers at the lesion site was evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome staining of tissue samples. The deposition and degradation of ECM proteins and the expression of inflammatory factors at the lesion site were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. Biomechanical testing was carried out on the injured tendons to assess functional recovery. There were 12 bioactive molecules in the CM, with HGF as the hub of the protein-protein interaction network. CM treatment enhanced the viability and migration of tendon fibroblasts, altered the expression of ECM proteins, promoted the organization of tendon fibers, suppressed inflammation and improved the biomechanics of the injured Achilles tendon. These results suggest that HGF stimulates the secretion of soluble secretory products by TSCs and CM promotes the repair and functional recovery of ruptured Achilles tendon. Thus, HGF-induced TSC CM has therapeutic potential for the treatment of tendinopathy.

Transplantation of Adipose Stromal Cell Sheet Producing Hepatocyte Growth Factor Induces Pleiotropic Effect in Ischemic Skeletal Muscle

Cell therapy remains a promising approach for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. In this regard, the contemporary trend is the development of methods to overcome low cell viability and enhance their regenerative potential. In the present study, we evaluated the therapeutic potential of gene-modified adipose-derived stromal cells (ADSC) that overexpress hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in a mice hind limb ischemia model. Angiogenic and neuroprotective effects were assessed following ADSC transplantation in suspension or in the form of cell sheet. We found superior blood flow restoration, tissue vascularization and innervation, and fibrosis reduction after transplantation of HGF-producing ADSC sheet compared to other groups. We suggest that the observed effects are determined by pleiotropic effects of HGF, along with the multifactorial paracrine action of ADSC which remain viable and functionally active within the engineered cell construct. Thus, we demonstrated the high therapeutic potential of the utilized approach for skeletal muscle recovery after ischemic damage associated with complex tissue degenerative effects.

The therapeutic potential of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in premature ovarian failure

With the development of regenerative medicine, a variety of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are increasingly considered for the treatment of premature ovarian failure (POF). Reportedly, bone marrow-derived MSCs (BMSCs) improve the ovarian reserve, which mainly depends on homing and paracrine activities. Furthermore, paracrine factors secreted by these stem cells play an important role in ovarian recovery. Relevant studies indicate that BMSC transplantation has some positive effects on the treatment of POF in animals, but BMSCs are not widely applied in clinical therapy. Clinical trials are ongoing despite the fact that several patients experiencing BMSC transplantation recover their normal menstrual cycles and even give birth to babies. In this review, we discuss the possible therapeutic mechanisms of BMSCs for POF, migration, antiapoptosis, antifibrosis, angiogenesis, anti-inflammation, immunoregulation, and oxidative stress, which provide the theoretical basis for further study and clinical therapy.

Genetic Engineering of Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Regenerative Medicine

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which can be obtained from various organs and easily propagated in vitro, are one of the most extensively used types of stem cells and have been shown to be efficacious in a broad set of diseases. The unique and highly desirable properties of MSCs include high migratory capacities toward injured areas, immunomodulatory features, and the natural ability to differentiate into connective tissue phenotypes. These phenotypes include bone and cartilage, and these properties predispose MSCs to be therapeutically useful. In addition, MSCs elicit their therapeutic effects by paracrine actions, in which the metabolism of target tissues is modulated. Genetic engineering methods can greatly amplify these properties and broaden the therapeutic capabilities of MSCs, including transdifferentiation toward diverse cell lineages. However, cell engineering can also affect safety and increase the cost of therapy based on MSCs; thus, the advantages and disadvantages of these procedures should be discussed. In this review, the latest applications of genetic engineering methods for MSCs with regenerative medicine purposes are presented.