Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Human Umbilical Cord Express Preferentially Secreted Factors Related to Neuroprotection, Neurogenesis, and Angiogenesis

Abstract

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are promising tools for the treatment of diseases such as infarcted myocardia and strokes because of their ability to promote endogenous angiogenesis and neurogenesis via a variety of secreted factors. MSCs found in the Wharton’s jelly of the human umbilical cord are easily obtained and are capable of transplantation without rejection. We isolated MSCs from Wharton’s jelly and bone marrow (WJ-MSCs and BM-MSCs, respectively) and compared their secretomes. It was found that WJ-MSCs expressed more genes, especially secreted factors, involved in angiogenesis and neurogenesis. Functional validation showed that WJ-MSCs induced better neural differentiation and neural cell migration via a paracrine mechanism. Moreover, WJ-MSCs afforded better neuroprotection efficacy because they preferentially enhanced neuronal growth and reduced cell apoptotic death of primary cortical cells in an oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) culture model that mimics the acute ischemic stroke situation in humans. In terms of angiogenesis, WJ-MSCs induced better microvasculature formation and cell migration on co-cultured endothelial cells. Our results suggest that WJ-MSC, because of a unique secretome, is a better MSC source to promote in vivo neurorestoration and endothelium repair. This study provides a basis for the development of cell-based therapy and carrying out of follow-up mechanistic studies related to MSC biology.

Transplanted Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells Modify the In Vivo Microenvironment Enhancing Angiogenesis and Leading to Bone Regeneration

“…This effect was mediated only by UCMSCs, excluding the possible role of endothelial progenitor contaminants as previously demonstrated [6]. Indeed, UC-MSCs have a secretome enriched with growth factors and cytokines related to angiogenesis, tissue repair, and wound healing processes when compared with BM-MSCs [52]. Many growth factors linked with angiogenesis were identified in the UC-MSC secretome, such as VEGF-D, PDGF-AA, TGF-b2, b-FGF, and HGF [53].…”

A Peculiar Molecular Profile of Umbilical Cord-Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Drives Their Inhibitory Effects on Multiple Myeloma Cell Growth and Tumor Progression

“…MM cells were co-cultured with each MSC population and the proliferation was measured at different time points (24,48, and 72 h), as illustrated in Fig. 2A that representatively shows the variations of CFSE in RPMI 8226 cells, whereas Fig.…”

The role of Toll-like receptor 3 and 4 in regulating the function of mesenchymal stem cells isolated from umbilical cord

“…It has been reported that UCMSCs and BM-MSCs share high similarity in metabolic and functional processes, particularly in their immune processes and biological regulation (19). However, there are differences in the gene expression levels of neurogenesis transcription factors and growth-related genes, amongst others (20) between BM-MSCs and UCMSCs. In this study, we provide evidence of a new role …”