Ectodermal Differentiation of Wharton's Jelly Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Applications

Neuroplasticity and Nervous System Recovery: Cellular Mechanisms, Therapeutic Advances, and Future Prospects

Neuroplasticity, the ability of the nervous system to adapt structurally and functionally in response to environmental interactions and injuries, is a cornerstone of recovery in the central (CNS) and peripheral nervous systems (PNS). This review explores the mechanisms underlying neuroplasticity, focusing on the dynamic roles of cellular and molecular processes in recovery from nervous system injuries. Key cellular players, including Schwann cells, oligodendrocytes, and neural stem cells, are highlighted for their contributions to nerve repair, myelination, and regeneration. Advances in therapeutic interventions, such as electrical stimulation, bioluminescent optogenetics, and innovative nerve grafting techniques, are discussed alongside their potential to enhance recovery and functional outcomes. The molecular underpinnings of plasticity, involving synaptic remodeling, homeostatic mechanisms, and activity-dependent regulation of gene expression, are elucidated to illustrate their role in learning, memory, and injury repair. Integrating emerging technologies and therapeutic approaches with a foundational understanding of neuroplasticity offers a pathway toward more effective strategies for restoring nervous system functionality after injury.

Programmable short peptides for modulating stem cell fate in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine

Recent advancements in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine have introduced promising strategies to address tissue and organ deficiencies. This review highlights the critical role of short peptides, particularly their ability to self-assemble into matrices that mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM). These low molecular weight peptides exhibit target-specific activities, modulate gene expression, and influence cell differentiation pathways. They are stable, programmable, non-cytotoxic, biocompatible, biodegradable, capable of crossing the cell membrane and easy to synthesize. This review underscores the importance of peptide structure and concentration in directing stem cell differentiation and explores their diverse biomedical applications. Peptides such as Aβ1-40, Aβ1-42, RADA16, A13 and KEDW are discussed for their roles in modulating stem cell differentiation into neuronal, glial, myocardial, osteogenic, hepatocyte and pancreatic lineages. Furthermore, this review delves into the underlying signaling mechanisms, the chemistry and design of short peptides and their potential for engineering biocompatible materials that mimic stem cell microenvironments. Short peptide-based biomaterials and scaffolds represent a promising avenue in stem cell therapy, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine.

The Truth Is Out There: Biological Features and Clinical Indications of Extracellular Vesicles from Human Perinatal Stem Cells

The potential of perinatal tissues to provide cellular populations to be used in different applications of regenerative medicine is well established. Recently, the efforts of researchers are being addressed regarding the evaluation of cell products (secreted molecules or extracellular vesicles, EVs) to be used as an alternative to cellular infusion. The data regarding the effective recapitulation of most perinatal cells' properties by their secreted complement point in this direction. EVs secreted from perinatal cells exhibit key therapeutic effects such as tissue repair and regeneration, the suppression of inflammatory responses, immune system modulation, and a variety of other functions. Although the properties of EVs from perinatal derivatives and their significant potential for therapeutic success are amply recognized, several challenges still remain that need to be addressed. In the present review, we provide an up-to-date analysis of the most recent results in the field, which can be addressed in future research in order to overcome the challenges that are still present in the characterization and utilization of the secreted complement of perinatal cells and, in particular, mesenchymal stromal cells.

Stem cells in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease - Promises and pitfalls

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most widespread form of neurodegenerative disorder that causes memory loss and multiple cognitive issues. The underlying mechanisms of AD include the build-up of amyloid-β and phosphorylated tau, synaptic damage, elevated levels of microglia and astrocytes, abnormal microRNAs, mitochondrial dysfunction, hormonal imbalance, and age-related neuronal loss. However, the etiology of AD is complex and involves a multitude of environmental and genetic factors. Currently, available AD medications only alleviate symptoms and do not provide a permanent cure. Therefore, there is a need for therapies that can prevent or reverse cognitive decline, brain tissue loss, and neural instability. Stem cell therapy is a promising treatment for AD because stem cells possess the unique ability to differentiate into any type of cell and maintain their self-renewal. This article provides an overview of the pathophysiology of AD and existing pharmacological treatments. This review article focuses on the role of various types of stem cells in neuroregeneration, the potential challenges, and the future of stem cell-based therapies for AD, including nano delivery and gaps in stem cell technology.

Innovative Approaches and Advances for Hair Follicle Regeneration

Pathological hair loss (also known as alopecia) and shortage of hair follicle (HF) donors have posed an urgent requirement for HF regeneration. With the revelation of mechanisms in tissue engineering, the proliferation of HFs in vitro has achieved more promising trust for the treatments of alopecia and other skin impairments. Theoretically, HF organoids have great potential to develop into native HFs and attachments such as sweat glands after transplantation. However, since the rich extracellular matrix (ECM) deficiency, the induction characteristics of skin-derived cells gradually fade away along with their trichogenic capacity after continuous cell passaging in vitro. Therefore, ECM-mimicking support is an essential prelude before HF transplantation is implemented. This review summarizes the status of providing various epidermal and dermal cells with a three-dimensional (3D) scaffold to support the cell homeostasis and better mimic in vivo environments for the sake of HF regeneration. HF-relevant cells including dermal papilla cells (DPCs), hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs), and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are able to be induced to form HF organoids in the vitro culture system. The niche microenvironment simulated by different forms of biomaterial scaffold can offer the cells a network of ordered growth environment to alleviate inductivity loss and promote the expression of functional proteins. The scaffolds often play the role of ECM substrates and bring about epithelial-mesenchymal interaction (EMI) through coculture to ensure the functional preservation of HF cells during in vitro passage. Functional HF organoids can be formed either before or after transplantation into the dermis layer. Here, we review and emphasize the importance of 3D culture in HF regeneration in vitro. Finally, the latest progress in treatment trials and critical analysis of the properties and benefits of different emerging biomaterials for HF regeneration along with the main challenges and prospects of HF regenerative approaches are discussed.

Mesenchymal stem cells in fibrotic diseases-the two sides of the same coin

Fibrosis is caused by extensive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, which play a crucial role in injury repair. Fibrosis attributes to ~45% of all deaths worldwide. The molecular pathology of different fibrotic diseases varies, and a number of bioactive factors are involved in the pathogenic process. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a type of multipotent stem cells that have promising therapeutic effects in the treatment of different diseases. Current updates of fibrotic pathogenesis reveal that residential MSCs may differentiate into myofibroblasts which lead to the fibrosis development. However, preclinical and clinical trials with autologous or allogeneic MSCs infusion demonstrate that MSCs can relieve the fibrotic diseases by modulating inflammation, regenerating damaged tissues, remodeling the ECMs, and modulating the death of stressed cells after implantation. A variety of animal models were developed to study the mechanisms behind different fibrotic tissues and test the preclinical efficacy of MSC therapy in these diseases. Furthermore, MSCs have been used for treating liver cirrhosis and pulmonary fibrosis patients in several clinical trials, leading to satisfactory clinical efficacy without severe adverse events. This review discusses the two opposite roles of residential MSCs and external MSCs in fibrotic diseases, and summarizes the current perspective of therapeutic mechanism of MSCs in fibrosis, through both laboratory study and clinical trials.

Advancing Regenerative Cellular Therapies in Non-Scarring Alopecia

Alopecia or baldness is a common diagnosis in clinical practice. Alopecia can be scarring or non-scarring, diffuse or patchy. The most prevalent type of alopecia is non-scarring alopecia, with the majority of cases being androgenetic alopecia (AGA) or alopecia areata (AA). AGA is traditionally treated with minoxidil and finasteride, while AA is treated with immune modulators; however, both treatments have significant downsides. These drawbacks compel us to explore regenerative therapies that are relatively devoid of adverse effects. A thorough literature review was conducted to explore the existing proven and experimental regenerative treatment modalities in non-scarring alopecia. Multiple treatment options compelled us to classify them into growth factor-rich and stem cell-rich. The growth factor-rich group included platelet-rich plasma, stem cell-conditioned medium, exosomes and placental extract whereas adult stem cells (adipose-derived stem cell-nano fat and stromal vascular fraction; bone marrow stem cell and hair follicle stem cells) and perinatal stem cells (umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUCB-MSCs), Wharton jelly-derived MSCs (WJ-MSCs), amniotic fluid-derived MSCs (AF-MSCs), and placental MSCs) were grouped into the stem cell-rich group. Because of its regenerative and proliferative capabilities, MSC lies at the heart of regenerative cellular treatment for hair restoration. A literature review revealed that both adult and perinatal MSCs are successful as a mesotherapy for hair regrowth. However, there is a lack of standardization in terms of preparation, dose, and route of administration. To better understand the source and mode of action of regenerative cellular therapies in hair restoration, we have proposed the "À La Mode Classification". In addition, available evidence-based cellular treatments for hair regrowth have been thoroughly described.

Studying the effect of alpha-synuclein and Parkinson's disease linked mutants on inter pathway connectivities

Parkinson's disease is a common neurodegenerative disease. The differential expression of alpha-synuclein within Lewy Bodies leads to this disease. Some missense mutations of alpha-synuclein may resultant in functional aberrations. In this study, our objective is to verify the functional adaptation due to early and late-onset mutation which can trigger or control the rate of alpha-synuclein aggregation. In this regard, we have proposed a computational model to study the difference and similarities among the Wild type alpha-synuclein and mutants i.e., A30P, A53T, G51D, E46K, and H50Q. Evolutionary sequence space analysis is also performed in this experiment. Subsequently, a comparative study has been performed between structural information and sequence space outcomes. The study shows the structural variability among the selected subtypes. This information assists inter pathway modeling due to mutational aberrations. Based on the structural variability, we have identified the protein-protein interaction partners for each protein that helps to increase the robustness of the inter-pathway connectivity. Finally, few pathways have been identified from 12 semantic networks based on their association with mitochondrial dysfunction and dopaminergic pathways.

Biological characteristics of stem cells derived from burned skin-a comparative study with umbilical cord stem cells

INTRODUCTION

Burned human skin, which is routinely excised and discarded, contains viable mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (burn-derived mesenchymal stromal/stem cells; BD-MSCs). These cells show promising potential to enable and aid wound regeneration. However, little is known about their cell characteristics and biological function.

OBJECTIVES

This study had two aims: first, to assess critical and cellular characteristics of BD-MSCs and, second, to compare those results with multipotent well-characterized MSCs from Wharton's jelly of human umbilical cords (umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal/stem cells, UC-MSCs).

METHODS

BD- and UC-MSCs were compared using immunophenotyping, multi-lineage differentiation, seahorse analysis for glycolytic and mitochondrial function, immune surface markers, and cell secretion profile assays.

RESULTS

When compared to UC-MSCs, BD-MSCs demonstrated a lower mesenchymal differentiation capacity and altered inflammatory cytokine secretomes at baseline and after stimulation with lipopolysaccharides. No significant differences were found in population doubling time, colony formation, cell proliferation cell cycle, production of reactive oxygen species, glycolytic and mitochondrial function, and in the expression of major histocompatibility complex I and II and toll-like receptor (TLR).

IMPORTANCE, TRANSLATION

This study reveals valuable insights about MSCs obtained from burned skin and show comparable cellular characteristics with UC-MSCs, highlighting their potentials in cell therapy and skin regeneration.

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Exosomes as a New Strategy for the Treatment of Diabetes Complications

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disease, now prevalent worldwide, which is characterized by a relative or absolute lack of insulin secretion leading to chronically increased blood glucose levels. Diabetic patients are often accompanied by multiple macrovascular complications, such as coronary heart disease, hypertension, macrovascular arteriosclerosis, and microvascular complications. Microvascular complications include diabetic kidney injury, diabetic encephalopathy, and diabetic foot, which reduce the quality of life and survival status of patients. Mesenchymal stem cell exosomes (MSC-Exos) possess repair functions similar to MSCs, low immunogenicity, and ease of storage and transport. MSC-Exos have been proven to possess excellent repair effects in repairing various organ damages. This study reviews the application of MSC-Exos in the treatment of DM and its common complications. MSC-Exos may be used as an effective treatment for DM and its complications.

Differentiation Induction of Human Stem Cells for Corneal Epithelial Regeneration

Deficiency of corneal epithelium causes vision impairment or blindness in severe cases. Transplantation of corneal epithelial cells is an effective treatment but the availability of the tissue source for those cells is inadequate. Stem cells can be induced to differentiate to corneal epithelial cells and used in the treatment. Multipotent stem cells (mesenchymal stem cells) and pluripotent stem cells (embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells) are promising cells to address the problem. Various protocols have been developed to induce differentiation of the stem cells into corneal epithelial cells. The feasibility and efficacy of both human stem cells and animal stem cells have been investigated for corneal epithelium regeneration. However, some physiological aspects of animal stem cells are different from those of human stem cells, the protocols suited for animal stem cells might not be suitable for human stem cells. Therefore, in this review, only the investigations of corneal epithelial differentiation of human stem cells are taken into account. The available protocols for inducing the differentiation of human stem cells into corneal epithelial cells are gathered and compared. Also, the pathways involving in the differentiation are provided to elucidate the relevant mechanisms.

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.

Topical Application of Human Wharton's Jelly Mesenchymal Stem Cells Accelerates Mouse Sciatic Nerve Recovery and is Associated with Upregulated Neurotrophic Factor Expression

Peripheral nerve regeneration following injury is often slow and impaired, which results in weakened and denervated muscle with subsequent atrophy. Human Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells (hWJ-MSC) have potential regenerative properties which, however, remain unknown in mouse nerve recovery. This study investigated the effect of the topical application of hWJ-MSC onto repairing transected sciatic nerves in a mouse model. Human adipocyte-derived stem cells (hADSC) were used as a positive control. The sciatic nerve of BALB/c mice was transected at a fixed point and repaired under the microscope using 10-0 sutures. hWJ-MSC and hADSC were applied to the site of repair and mice were followed up for 1 year. The hWJ-MSC group had significantly better functional recovery of five-toe spread and gait angles compared with the negative control and hADSC groups. hWJ-MSC improved sciatic nerve regeneration in a dose-dependent fashion. The hWJ-MSC group had a better quality of regenerated nerve with an increased number of myelinated axons throughout. hWJ-MSC appear to be safe in mice after 1 year of follow-up. hWJ-MSC also expressed higher levels of neurotrophic factor-3, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and glial-derived neurotrophic factor than hADSC. hWJ-MSC may promote better nerve recovery than hADSC because of this upregulation of neurotrophic factors.

The biological changes of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells in inflammatory environment induced by different cytokines

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are used as therapeutic tool for the treatment of immune diseases. The inflammatory environment also influences the characteristics of MSCs after transplantation. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of pro-inflammatory cytokines on the characteristics of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSCs). UCMSCs were exposed to pro-inflammatory cytokines in vitro for 3 and 7 days, and the biological properties were analyzed. The results showed that the proliferation ability was suppressed by interferon-γ (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β). The adipogenic capacity was inhibited in all conditioned medium, while the chondrogenic and osteogenic capacity was enhanced by TNF-α and IL-1β in vitro. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) was increased by IL-1β on the third day, and angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) was inhibited appreciably by TNF-α on the seventh day. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) was increased by TNF-α and IL-1β, and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) was inhibited by all inflammatory cytokines. IFN-γ secretion level from human peripheral mononuclear cells (hPBMCs) was lowered by UCMSCs which had been stimulated by TNF-α or IL-1β for 3 days. Moreover, IFN-γ and TNF-α secretion level was only inhibited by UCMSCs which had been by stimulated IFN-γ for 3 days but not 7 days. Our data demonstrated that different inflammatory cytokines and the duration of treatment had different effects on the properties of UCMSCs, which might be instructive for clinical pretreatment in cellular therapeutics.

CD73, CD90, CD105 and Cadherin-11 RT-PCR Screening for Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Cryopreserved Human Cord Tissue

Background and Objectives

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are self-renewing, non-specialized cells used clinically in tissue regeneration and sourced from bone marrow, peripheral blood, umbilical cord blood and umbilical cord tissue (UCT). To demonstrate an alternative method for MSC detection, cryopreserved UCT and expanded MSC were screened for MSC markers CD73, CD90, CD105 and CDH-11 by RT-PCR.

Methods and Results

Human UCT were washed, sectioned, cryopreserved with 10% DMSO and stored in the vapor phase of liquid nitrogen. Fresh and frozen UCT samples were expanded for MSC. UCT and MSC were processed for RNA and screened for CD73, CD90, CD105 and CDH-11 mRNA by RT-PCR. CD73, CD90 and CD105 were detected by flow cytometry and CDH-11 was detected by Western blotting. Short and long-term frozen UCT shows a loss of mRNA expression for CD73 at 33.2±34.0%, CD90 at 6.2±8.2%, CD105 at 17.7±21.6% and CDH-11 at 30.1±26.7% but was not statistically significant to indicate the deterioration. Expanded MSCs from fresh UCT expressed 0.09±0.07-fold CD73, 0.17±0.11-fold CD90, 0.04±0.06-fold CD105 and 0.14±0.08-fold CDH-11. Expanded MSCs from frozen UCTs expressed 0.09±0.06-fold CD73, 0.13±0.06-fold CD90, 0.04±0.05-fold CD105 and 0.11±0.06-fold CDH-11 and confirmed by flow cytometry and Western blotting.

Conclusion

CD73, CD90, CD105 and CDH-11 were detected by RT-PCR in cryopreserved UCT and MSC expansion. CDH-11 appears as a useful single target MSC marker for quick screening.

Sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling improves the angiogenic potential of Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSC)

Background

Wharton’s jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSC) show remarkable therapeutic potential to repair tissue upon injury via paracrine signaling by secreting diverse trophic factors that promote angiogenesis. However, the mechanisms and signaling pathways that regulate the induction of these specific factors are still mostly unknown. Emerging evidence suggests that Sonic hedgehog (SHH) plays a central role in angiogenesis and tissue maintenance. However, its contribution to the angiogenic potential of MSC has not been fully addressed. The aim of this work was to characterize the expression of the SHH pathway components in WJ-MSC primary cultures and to evaluate their angiogenic responsiveness to SHH signaling.

Methods

Primary cell cultures obtained from human umbilical cords were treated with pharmacological modulators of the SHH pathway. We evaluated the modulation of diverse trophic factors in cell lysates, conditioned medium, and functional in vitro assays. In addition, we determined the angiogenic potential of the SHH pathway in the chicken chorioallantoic membrane, an in vivo model.

Results

Our results show that WJ-MSC express components of the canonical SHH pathway and are activated by its signaling. In fact, we provide evidence of basal autocrine/paracrine SHH signaling in WJ-MSC. SHH pathway stimulation promotes the secretion of angiogenic factors such as activin A, angiogenin, angiopoietin 1, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, matrix metallometallopeptidase -9, and urokinase-type plasminogen activator, enhancing the pro-angiogenic capabilities of WJ-MSC both in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusion

WJ-MSC are a cell population responsive to SHH pathway stimulation. Basal SHH signaling is in part responsible for the angiogenic inductive properties of WJ-MSC. Overall, exogenous activation of the SHH pathway enhances the angiogenic properties of WJ-MSC, making this cell population an ideal target for treating tissue injury.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13287-017-0653-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Platelet poor plasma gel combined with amnion improves the therapeutic effects of human umbilical cord‑derived mesenchymal stem cells on wound healing in rats

The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of human umbilical cord‑derived mesenchymal stem cell (HUMSCs) embedded in platelet poor plasma (PPP) gel combined with amnion (PPPA) in improving wound healing on Sprague‑Dawley (SD) rats. HUMSCs were cultured and labeled with chloromethylbenzamido‑1,1'‑dioctadecyl‑3,3,3'3'‑tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate (CM‑DiI) on their third passage. The expression levels of growth factors of HUMSCs in PPPA were assessed by ELISA. Full‑thickness excisional skin wounds were induced in 36 male SD rats, which were treated with PPPA grafted with HUMSCs (PPPAC), PPPA, or HUMSC or PBS injection. The degree of healing and the distribution of labeled HUMSCs in the wound were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and immunofluorescence. On day 14 post‑surgery, wound healing in PPPAC‑treated rats was significantly higher than the PPPA group, compared with rats treated with HUMSCs alone and control rats (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively). H&E staining showed that morphology and thickness of the epidermis in the PPPAC group was similar to that of healthy skin. ELISA revealed that levels of growth factors of HUMSCs in PPPAC were higher than in monolayer cells. In conclusion, PPPA can modify growth factor expression levels of HUMSCs and improve the efficiency of HUMSCs in the healing of full thickness wounds in rats.

Engineering epithelial-stromal interactions in vitro for toxicology assessment

Crosstalk between epithelial and stromal cells drives the morphogenesis of ectodermal organs during development and promotes normal mature adult epithelial tissue homeostasis. Epithelial-stromal interactions (ESIs) have historically been examined using mammalian models and ex vivo tissue recombination. Although these approaches have elucidated signaling mechanisms underlying embryonic morphogenesis processes and adult mammalian epithelial tissue function, they are limited by the availability of tissue, low throughput, and human developmental or physiological relevance. In this review, we describe how bioengineered ESIs, using either human stem cells or co-cultures of human primary epithelial and stromal cells, have enabled the development of human in vitro epithelial tissue models that recapitulate the architecture, phenotype, and function of adult human epithelial tissues. We discuss how the strategies used to engineer mature epithelial tissue models in vitro could be extrapolated to instruct the design of organotypic culture models that can recapitulate the structure of embryonic ectodermal tissues and enable the in vitro assessment of events critical to organ/tissue morphogenesis. Given the importance of ESIs towards normal epithelial tissue development and function, such models present a unique opportunity for toxicological screening assays to incorporate ESIs to assess the impact of chemicals on mature and developing epidermal tissues.

Potential mechanisms underlying ectodermal differentiation of Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells

Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJMSCs) are being increasingly recognized for their ectodermal differentiation potential. Previously, we demonstrated that when WJMSC were seeded onto an acellular matrix material derived from Wharton's jelly and cultured in osteogenic induction media, generated CK19 positive cells and hair-like structures indicative of ectodermal differentiation of WJMSCs. In this manuscript, we examine the underlying mechanism behind this observation using a variety of microscopy and molecular biology techniques such as western blotting and qPCR. We demonstrate that these hair-like structures are associated with live cells that are positive for epithelial and mesenchymal markers such as cytokeratin-19 and α-smooth muscle actin, respectively. We also show that up-regulation of β-catenin and noggin, along with the expression of TGF-β and SMAD and inhibition of BMP4 could be the mechanism behind this ectodermal differentiation and hair-like structure formation.

Comparative Analysis of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Umbilical Cord, Dental Pulp, and Menstrual Blood as Sources for Cell Therapy

Although mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) based therapy has been considered as a promising tool for tissue repair and regeneration, the optimal cell source remains unknown. Umbilical cord (UC), dental pulp (DP), and menstrual blood (MB) are easily accessible sources, which make them attractive candidates for MSCs. The goal of this study was to compare the biological characteristics, including morphology, proliferation, antiapoptosis, multilineage differentiation capacity, and immunophenotype of UC-, DP-, and MB-MSCs in order to provide a theoretical basis for clinical selection and application of these cells. As a result, all UC-, DP-, and MB-MSCs have self-renewal capacity and multipotentiality. However, the UC-MSCs seemed to have higher cell proliferation ability, while DP-MSCs may have significant advantages for osteogenic differentiation, lower cell apoptosis, and senescence. These differences may be associated with the different expression level of cytokines, including vascular endothelial growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, keratinocyte growth factor, and hepatocyte growth factor in each of the MSCs. Comprehensively, our results suggest DP-MSCs may be a desired source for clinical applications of cell therapy.

Stem cell therapies in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy and keratopathy

Nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (DR) is characterized by multiple degenerative changes that could be potentially corrected by stem cell therapies. Most studies so far have attempted to alleviate typical abnormalities of early retinopathy, including vascular hyperpermeability, capillary closure and pericyte dropout. Success was reported with adult stem cells (vascular progenitors or adipose stem cells), as well as induced pluripotent stem cells from cord blood. The cells were able to associate with damaged vessels in both pericyte and endothelial lining positions in models of DR and ischemia-reperfusion. In some diabetic models, functional amelioration of vasculature and electroretinograms was noted. Another approach for endogenous progenitor cell therapy is to normalize dysfunctional diabetic bone marrow and residing endothelial progenitors using NO donors, PPAR-δ and -γ agonists, or inhibition of TGF-β. A potentially important strategy would be to reduce neuropathy by stem cell inoculations, either naïve (e.g., paracrine-acting adipose stem cells) or secreting specific neuroprotectants, such as ciliary neurotrophic factor or brain-derived neurotrophic factor that showed benefit in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Parkinson's disease. Recent advances in stem cell therapies for diabetic retinal microangiopathy may form the basis of first clinical trials in the near future. Additionally, stem cell therapies may prove beneficial for diabetic corneal disease (diabetic keratopathy) with pronounced epithelial stem cell dysfunction.