Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Embryo-Maternal Communication under Healthy Conditions or Viral Infections: Lessons from a Bovine Model

Abstract

Bovine mesenchymal stem cells are a relevant cell population found in the maternal reproductive tract that exhibits the immunomodulation capacity required to prevent embryo rejection. The phenotypic plasticity showed by both endometrial mesenchymal stem cells (eMSC) and embryonic trophoblast through mesenchymal to epithelial transition and epithelial to mesenchymal transition, respectively, is essential for embryo implantation. Embryonic trophoblast maintains active crosstalk via EVs and soluble proteins with eMSC and peripheral blood MSC (pbMSC) to ensure the retention of eMSC in case of pregnancy and induce the chemotaxis of pbMSC, critical for successful implantation. Early pregnancy-related proteins and angiogenic markers are detected as cargo in EVs and the soluble fraction of the embryonic trophectoderm secretome. The pattern of protein secretion in trophectoderm-EVs changes depending on their epithelial or mesenchymal phenotype and due to the uptake of MSC EVs. However, the changes in this EV-mediated communication between maternal and embryonic MSC populations infected by viruses that cause abortions in cattle are poorly understood. They are critical in the investigation of reproductive viral pathologies.

Amniotic fluid-derived stem cells: potential factories of natural and mimetic strategies for congenital malformations

“…[7,8] Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-based approaches, especially those derived from gestational tissues (i.e., placental tissues, umbilical cord), have been widely studied as potential strategies to create an in utero pro-regenerative environment, due to the role they play in mediating embryo-maternal communication. [9] Advantages in the use of these tissues over adult counterparts include the possibility to establish a cellbanking system as they can yield a great number of cells noninvasively and without posing unnecessarily complex ethical issues. [10] Transamniotic therapy mediated by placental and amniotic uid derived MSCs (AF-MSCs) has showed a protective effect for the treatment of fetal and neonatal congenital disorders.…”