Immunomodulatory characteristics of human umbilical cord
mesenchymal stem cells in vitro

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.1862

Abstract

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) have been drawing a great attention due to their potential therapeutic effect in a variety of diseases, including immune-mediated diseases. Further characterization of the immunomodulatory properties and action pathways of hUC-MSCs is necessary to ensure their safety and effectiveness in clinical application.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the immunomodulatory properties of hUC-MSCs.

METHODS: hUC-MSCs were directly co-cultured with CFSE-labeled peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) at the ratio of 1:5, 1:10, and 1:20, or indirectly co-cultured with CFSE-labeled PBMCs at the ratio of 1:5 via the Transwell co-culture system. Phytohemagglutinin- stimulated PBMC proliferation and the percentages of Th1, Th17 and Treg subgroups in the CD4⁺ T cells were determined by flow cytometry. The levels of tumor necrosis factor α and interferon γ were determined by ELISA.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: After direct co-culture, hUC-MSCs significantly inhibited the phytohemagglutinin-stimulated PBMCs proliferation in a dose-dependent manner, whereas the inhibitory effect disappeared in the Transwell co-culture system. A significant decrease of Th1, Th17 cells and an increase of Treg cells were detected in the PBMCs co-cultured with hUC-MSCs compared to the PBMCs cultured alone. Furthermore, hUC-MSCs co-culture significantly reduced tumor necrosis factor α and interferon γ levels in the PBMCs. These findings indicate that cell-to-cell contact is essential for hUC-MSCs to inhibit the proliferation, differentiation and inflammatory factor secretion of immune cells.

Key words: human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells, immunomodulation, immunosuppression, inflammatory suppression, lymphocyte proliferation, lymphocyte subsets

CLC Number:

Liu Mengting, Rao Wei, Han Bing, Xiao Cuihong, Wu Dongcheng. Immunomodulatory characteristics of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells in vitro[J]. Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research, 2020, 24(7): 1063-1068.

Figures/Tables 5

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