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Title: | Human Wharton's jelly-derived stem cells display immunomodulatory properties and transiently improve rat experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. | Authors: | DONDERS, Raf VANHEUSDEN, Marjan BOGIE, Jeroen RAVANIDIS, Stelios THEWISSEN, Kristof STINISSEN, Piet GYSELAERS, Wilfried HENDRIKS, Jerome HELLINGS, Niels |
Issue Date: | 2014 | Source: | CELL TRANSPLANTATION, 24 (10), p. 2077-2098 | Abstract: | Umbilical cord matrix or Wharton?s jelly-derived stromal cells (WJ-MSCs) are an easily accessible source of mesenchymal-like stem cells. Recent studies describe a hypo-immunogenic phenotype, multipotent differentiation potential and trophic support function for WJ-MSCs, with variable clinical benefit in degenerative disease models such as stroke, myocardial infarction and Parkinson?s disease. It remains unclear whether WJ-MSCs have therapeutic value for multiple sclerosis (MS), where autoimmune-mediated demyelination and neurodegeneration need to be halted. In this study, we investigated whether WJ-MSCs possess the required properties to effectively and durably reverse these pathological hallmarks, and whether they survive in an inflammatory environment after transplantation. WJ-MSCs displayed a lowly immunogenic phenotype and showed intrinsic expression of neurotrophic factors and a variety of anti-inflammatory molecules. Furthermore, they dose-dependently suppressed proliferation of activated T cells using contact-dependent and paracrine mechanisms. Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 was identified as one of the main effector molecules responsible for the observed T cell suppression. The immune-modulatory phenotype of WJ-MSCs was further enhanced after pro-inflammatory cytokine treatment in vitro (licensing). In addition to their effect on adaptive immunity, WJ-MSCs interfered with dendritic cell differentiation and maturation, thus directly affecting antigen presentation and therefore T cell priming. Systemically infused WJ-MSCs potently but transiently ameliorated experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model for MS, when injected at onset or during chronic disease. This protective effect was paralleled with a reduction in autoantigen-induced T cell proliferation, confirming their immune-modulatory activity in vivo. Surprisingly, in vitro licensed WJ-MSCs did not ameliorate EAE, indicative of a fast rejection as a result of enhanced immunogenicity. Collectively, we show that WJ-MSCs have trophic support properties and effectively modulate immune cell functioning both in vitro and in the EAE model, suggesting WJ-MSC may hold promise for MS therapy. Future research is needed to optimize survival of stem cells and enhance clinical durability. | Notes: | Hellings, N (reprint author), Hasselt Univ, Biomed Res Inst, Campus Diepenbeek,Agoralaan Bldg C, B-3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium. niels.hellings@uhasselt.be | Keywords: | cell therapy; immunomodulation; mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs); Multiple Sclerosis; transplantation; Wharton’s jelly | Document URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/1942/18207 | ISSN: | 0963-6897 | e-ISSN: | 1555-3892 | DOI: | 10.3727/096368914X685104 | ISI #: | 000362861200013 | Rights: | Copyright © 2014 Cognizant Communication Corporation | Category: | A1 | Type: | Journal Contribution | Validations: | ecoom 2016 |
Appears in Collections: | Research publications |
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ct-1266_donders_et_al_1412946660552.pdf Restricted Access | Peer-reviewed author version | 1.55 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open Request a copy |
096368914x685104.pdf | Published version | 1.64 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
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