Neuropotency and Neurotherapeutic Potential of Human Umbilical Cord Stem Cell’s Secretome

Abstract

Recent studies have revealed that the therapeutic effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is due to their secretome. Secretome is considered to be advantageous over cells, because of less chances of teratoma formation and no cell genome variability of donor and recipient. The current study aimed to screen the secretome of cord lining (CL) and Wharton jelly (WJ) of human umbilical cord stem cells and their functionality. Explants culture of human CL and WJ were characterized for classical MSC markers, pluripotency for germ layer expression then studied for their neurosphere and neurogenesis ability. These stem cells were screened for the expression of trophic factors (BDNF/GDNF/CNTF/NT3/NT4/NGF/FGF1/FGF2/VEGF/HGF/IGF/EGF/PlGF/IFN gamma/TNF-α/IL-1b/IL-4/IL-10/IFN-α1/TGF-β). Cells were cultured under serum-free conditions for 48 h and the conditioned media (CM) were collected. Functional effect of CM was analyzed on SHSY5Y, U87MG, and endothelial cells for proliferation/differentiation/anti-inflammatory and pro-angiogenic effects respectively. CL and WJ cells showed positive for MSC markers and negative for hematopoietic lineage. Both stem cells exhibited highly proliferative phenotype with normal karyotype even after several passages. All the major growth factors were expressed at varying levels expect CNTF. Cells illustrated the expression of various inflammatory modulators except IL-10 and elucidated anti-inflammatory and pro-angiogenic effect. These cells formed neurosphere in vitro and upon neuronal induction, expressed mature neuronal markers. CM enhanced SHSY5Y cell proliferation and differentiation. Easily accessible human umbilical cord stem’s secretome can have potential therapeutic effect in neurodegenerative disease. Cellular secretions from human umbilical cord stem cells have the potential property to exert neuroprotective effect. Hence, instead of using cells as the therapeutics, the cellular secretions can be potentially used to achieve clinical healing/repair of degenerative tissues of our nervous system.