IntroductionTherapeutic potentials of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from different sources have been evaluated in pre-clinical and clinical settings. Although MSCs from different sources share MSC-specific characteristics and functions, inconsistent or controversial results of pre-clinical and clinical applications of such cells are frequently reported. This may be partially due to the fact that MSCs isolated from different origins may differentially express some functions not typical for MSCs, and hence have different therapeutic potentials. The aim of this study is to investigate the differences in human placental MSCs (P-MSCs) of fetal and maternal origins in the aspects of clinical importance.MethodsP-MSCs of fetal and maternal origins isolated from normal term placentas were characterized for their typical phenotype as well as their expression of receptors and growth factors of clinic interests. P-MSCs that preferentially express hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and CD200 were evaluated for their therapeutic potentials in models of angiogenesis and allogeneic skin transplantation, in comparison with their HGF and CD200 negative partners.ResultsAlthough all P-MSCs express typical MSC phenotype, fetal but not maternal P-MSCs express high levels of CD200 and HGF. Compared with HGF and CD200 negative P-MSCs, HGF and CD200 positive cells demonstrated significantly high potentials in promoting angiogenesis in vitro and increasing immunosuppressive function in vivo. These therapeutic potentials were at least in part due to their differences in HGF and CD200 expression, respectively.ConclusionsWe conclude that MSC origins may have significant impact on the therapeutic potentials of such cells, and should be taken into consideration in clinical applications.

a b s t r a c tAs(III&V), Mn(II), and Fe(II) may occur simultaneously in some groundwater and surface water. Studying their redox reactions and interactions is essential to unravel the biogeochemical cycles of these metal ions in aquatic ecosystems and to find effective methods to remove them simultaneously in drinking water treatment. Here, the formation of biogenic Fe-Mn oxides (BFMO, defined as a mixture of biogenic Mn oxide (BMO) and Fe oxide) as well as its oxidation and adsorption of As in a Fe(II)-Mn(II)-As(III&V)-Mn-oxidizing microbe (Pseudomonas sp. QJX-1) system were investigated. Batch experiments and structure characterization revealed that the BFMO was formed via a sequential precipitation of Fe oxide and BMO. The first formed Fe oxide was identified as FeOOH (lepidocrocite) and the latter formed BMO was identified as MnO 2 (similar to hexagonal birnessite). In the BFMO mixture, the BMO part was mainly responsible for As(III) oxidation, and the Fe oxide part dominated As adsorption. Remarkably, the BMO could oxidize Fe(II) to form FeOOH, which may improve As adsorption. The optimum Mn(II)/Fe(II) ratio for As removal was approximately 1:3 (mol/mol). Taken together, in Fe(II)-Mn(II)-As(III&V)-Mn-oxidizing microbe ecosystems, the in situ formation of BFMO could eliminate or decrease Fe(II), Mn(II), and As(III&V) species simultaneously. Therefore, based on this study, new approaches may be developed for As removal from water containing high concentrations of Fe(II) and Mn(II).

No abstract

No abstract