Human Amniotic Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Research Articles

Targeting Inhibitor of κB Kinase β Prevents Inflammation-Induced Preterm Delivery by Inhibiting IL-6 Production from Amniotic Cells

Preterm delivery (PTD) remains a serious challenge in perinatology. Intrauterine infection and/or inflammation, followed by increased inflammatory cytokines, represented by IL-6, are involved in this pathology. Our aim was to identify IL-6-producing cells in the placenta and to analyze the potential of targeting IκB kinase β (IKKβ) signaling to suppress IL-6 production for the treatment of PTD. Immunohistochemical analyses using placentas complicated with severe chorioamnionitis revealed that IL-6 is mainly expressed in human amniotic mesenchymal stromal cells (hAMSCs). Primary hAMSCs were collected, and strong IL-6 expression was confirmed. In hAMSCs, the treatment of tumor necrosis factor-α or IL-1β drastically induced IL-6 production, followed by the phosphorylation of IKKs. A novel IKKβ inhibitor, IMD-0560, almost completely inhibited IL-6 production from hAMSCs. Using an experimental lipopolysaccharide-induced PTD mouse model, the therapeutic potential of IMD-0560 was examined. IMD-0560 was delivered vaginally 4 hours before lipopolysaccharide administration. Mice in the IMD-0560 (30 mg/kg, twice a day) group had a significantly lower rate of PTD [10 of 22 (45%)] without any apparent adverse events on the mice and their pups. In uteri collected from mice, IMD-0560 inhibited not only IL-6 production but also production of related cytokines, such as keratinocyte-derived protein chemokine/CXCL1, macrophage inflammatory protein-2/CXCL2, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1/chemokine ligand 2. Targeting IKKβ signaling shows promising effects through the suppression of these cytokines and can be explored as a future option for the prevention of PTD.

Placenta Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Hosted on RKKP Glass-Ceramic: A Tissue Engineering Strategy for Bone Regenerative Medicine Applications.

In tissue engineering protocols, the survival of transplanted stem cells is a limiting factor that could be overcome using a cell delivery matrix able to support cell proliferation and differentiation. With this aim, we studied the cell-friendly and biocompatible behavior of RKKP glass-ceramic coated Titanium (Ti) surface seeded with human amniotic mesenchymal stromal cells (hAMSCs) from placenta. The sol-gel synthesis procedure was used to prepare the RKKP glass-ceramic material, which was then deposited onto the Ti surface by Pulsed Laser Deposition method. The cell metabolic activity and proliferation rate, the cytoskeletal actin organization, and the cell cycle phase distribution in hAMSCs seeded on the RKKP coated Ti surface revealed no significant differences when compared to the cells grown on the treated plastic Petri dish. The health of of hAMSCs was also analysed studying the mRNA expressions of MSC key genes and the osteogenic commitment capability using qRT-PCR analysis which resulted in being unchanged in both substrates. In this study, the combination of the hAMSCs' properties together with the bioactive characteristics of RKKP glass-ceramics was investigated and the results obtained indicate its possible use as a new and interesting cell delivery system for bone tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications.

A Paediatric Perspective on Stem Cells: Expression, Function and Clinical Relevance

In this paper, we provide an overview of the potential advantages and disadvantages of different stem and progenitor cell populations identified to date in amniotic fluid, along with their properties and potential clinical applications. In the last ten years, placenta, fetal membranes (i.e. amnion and chorion), and amniotic fluid have been extensively investigated as a potential non-controversial source of stem cells. They are usually discarded after delivery and are accessible during pregnancy through amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling. Several populations of cells with multi-lineage differentiation potential and immune-modulatory properties have been isolated from the human placenta and fetal membranes; they have been classified by an international workshop as human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs) human amniotic mesenchymal stromal cells (hAMSCs) human chorionic mesenchymal stromal cells (hCMSCs) by Igura et al. and Anker et al., and human chorionic trophoblastic cells (hCTCs). Although only recently described, these cells may, given the easier accessibility of the AF in comparison to other extra-embryonic tissues, hold much promise in regenerative medicine.

Amniotic mesenchymal cells from pre-eclamptic placentae maintain immunomodulatory features as healthy controls.

Pre-eclampsia (PE) is one of the most severe syndromes in human pregnancy, and the underlying mechanisms of PE have yet to be determined. Pre-eclampsia is characterized by the alteration of the immune system's activation status, an increase in inflammatory Th1/Th17/APC cells, and a decrease in Th2/Treg subsets/cytokines. Moreover, inflammatory infiltrates have been detected in the amniotic membranes of pre-eclamptic placentae, and to this date limited data are available regarding the role of amniotic membrane cells in PE. Interestingly, we and others have previously shown that human amniotic mesenchymal stromal cells (hAMSC) possess anti-inflammatory properties towards almost all immune cells described to be altered in PE. In this study we investigated whether the immunomodulatory properties of hAMSC were altered in PE. We performed a comprehensive study of cell phenotype and investigated the in vitro immunomodulatory properties of hAMSC isolated from pre-eclamptic pregnancies (PE-hAMSC), comparing them to hAMSC from normal pregnancies (N-hAMSC). We demonstrate that PE-hAMSC inhibit CD4/CD8 T-cell proliferation, suppress Th1/Th2/Th17 polarization, induce Treg and block dendritic cells and M1 differentiation switching them to M2 cells. Notably, PE-hAMSC generated a more prominent induction of Treg and higher suppression of interferon-γ when compared to N-hAMSC, and this was associated with higher transforming growth factor-β1 secretion and PD-L2/PD-L1 expression in PE-hAMSC. In conclusion, for the first time we demonstrate that there is no intrinsic impairment of the immunomodulatory features of PE-hAMSC. Our results suggest that amniotic mesenchymal stromal cells do not contribute to the disease, but conversely, could participate in offsetting the inflammatory environment which characterizes PE.

Placental stem cells

The placenta represents a reservoir of progenitor, stem cells and epithelial cells that have been shown to differentiate into various types, including adipogenic, osteogenic, myogenic, hepatogenic, cardiac, pancreatic, endothelial, pulmonary and neurogenic lineages. This review focuses on the properties of placenta-derived cells, and it evaluates their current therapeutic applications in regenerative medicine and cell transplantations. Ongoing clinical and preclinical studies are investigating the safety and efficacy of the human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs), human amniotic mesenchymal stromal cells (hAMSCs) and chorionic mesenchymal stromal cells (hCMSCs). The establishment of biobanks for placental stem cells will enable the translation of scientific research into the clinic. The advantage of the placenta as a cellular source is that it contains different cell lineages, such as the haematopoietic lineage that originates from the chorion, allantois and yolk sac, and the mesenchymal lineage that originates from the chorion and amnion. In this review, we address advances in placental stem cell characterization, and we explore their possible uses in cell therapy.

Human amniotic mesenchymal stromal cells (hAMSCs) as potential vehicles for drug delivery in cancer therapy: an in vitro study.

IntroductionIn the context of drug delivery, mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) from bone marrow and adipose tissue have emerged as interesting candidates due to their homing abilities and capacity to carry toxic loads, while at the same time being highly resistant to the toxic effects. Amongst the many sources of MSCs which have been identified, the human term placenta has attracted particular interest due to its unique, tissue-related characteristics, including its high cell yield and virtually absent expression of human leukocyte antigens and co-stimulatory molecules. Under basal, non-stimulatory conditions, placental MSCs also possess basic characteristics common to MSCs from other sources. These include the ability to secrete factors which promote cell growth and tissue repair, as well as immunomodulatory properties. The aim of this study was to investigate MSCs isolated from the amniotic membrane of human term placenta (hAMSCs) as candidates for drug delivery in vitro.MethodsWe primed hAMSCs from seven different donors with paclitaxel (PTX) and investigated their ability to resist the cytotoxic effects of PTX, to upload the drug, and to release it over time. We then analyzed whether the uptake and release of PTX was sufficient to inhibit proliferation of CFPAC-1, a pancreatic tumor cell line sensitive to PTX.ResultsFor the first time, our study shows that hAMSCs are highly resistant to PTX and are not only able to uptake the drug, but also release it over time. Moreover, we show that PTX is released from hAMSCs in a sufficient amount to inhibit tumor cell proliferation, whilst some of the PTX is also retained within the cells.ConclusionTaken together, for the first time our results show that placental stem cells can be used as vehicles for the delivery of cytotoxic agents.

Conditioned medium from human amniotic mesenchymal stromal cells limits infarct size and enhances angiogenesis.

The paracrine properties of human amniotic membrane-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (hAMCs) have not been fully elucidated. The goal of the present study was to elucidate whether hAMCs can exert beneficial paracrine effects on infarcted rat hearts, in particular through cardioprotection and angiogenesis. Moreover, we aimed to identify the putative active paracrine mediators. hAMCs were isolated, expanded, and characterized. In vitro, conditioned medium from hAMC (hAMC-CM) exhibited cytoprotective and proangiogenic properties. In vivo, injection of hAMC-CM into infarcted rat hearts limited the infarct size, reduced cardiomyocyte apoptosis and ventricular remodeling, and strongly promoted capillary formation at the infarct border zone. Gene array analysis led to the identification of 32 genes encoding for the secreted factors overexpressed by hAMCs. Among these, midkine and secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine were also upregulated at the protein level. Furthermore, high amounts of several proangiogenic factors were detected in hAMC-CM by cytokine array. Our results strongly support the concept that the administration of hAMC-CM favors the repair process after acute myocardial infarction.

Human Amniotic Fluid Mesenchymal Stromal cells (AF-MSCs) are Less Prone to in vitro Senescence Process Compared with Bone Marrow MSCs

Human Amniotic Fluid Mesenchymal Stromal cells (AF-MSCs) are Less Prone to in vitro Senescence Process Compared with Bone Marrow MSCs

Human transgene-free amniotic-fluid-derived induced pluripotent stem cells for autologous cell therapy.

The establishment of a reliable prenatal source of autologous, transgene-free progenitor cells has enormous potential in the development of regenerative-medicine-based therapies for infants born with devastating birth defects. Here, we show that a largely CD117-negative population of human amniotic fluid mesenchymal stromal cells (AF-MSCs) obtained from fetuses with or without prenatally diagnosed anomalies are readily abundant and have limited baseline differentiation potential when compared with bone-marrow-derived MSCs and other somatic cell types. Nonetheless, the AF-MSCs could be easily reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) using nonintegrating Sendai viral vectors encoding for OCT4, SOX2, KLF4, and cMYC. The iPSCs were virtually indistinguishable from human embryonic stem cells in multiple assays and could be used to generate a relatively homogeneous population of neural progenitors, expressing PAX6, SOX2, SOX3, Musashi-1, and PSA-NCAM, for potential use in neurologic diseases. Further, these neural progenitors showed engraftment potential in vivo and were capable of differentiating into mature neurons and astrocytes in vitro. This study demonstrates the usefulness of AF-MSCs as an excellent source for the generation of human transgene-free iPSCs ideally suited for autologous perinatal regenerative medicine applications.

Correction of defective CFTR/ENaC function and tightness of cystic fibrosis airway epithelium by amniotic mesenchymal stromal (stem) cells.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by mutations in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, with most of the mortality given by the lung disease. Human amniotic mesenchymal stromal (stem) cells (hAMSCs) hold great promise for regenerative medicine in the field of lung disease; however, their potential as therapeutics for CF lung disease has not been fully explored. In the present study, hAMSCs were analysed in co-cultures on Transwell filters with CF immortalized airway epithelial cells (CFBE41o- line) at different ratios to exploit their potency to resume basic defects associated with CF. The results show that F-actin content was increased in co-cultures as compared with CF cells and actin was reorganized to form stress fibres. Confocal microscopy studies revealed that co-cultures had a tendency of increased expression of occludin and ZO-1 at the intercellular borders, paralleled by a decrease in dextran permeability, suggestive of more organized tight junctions (TJs). Spectrofluorometric analysis of CFTR function demonstrated that hAMSC-CFBE co-cultures resumed chloride transport, in line with the appearance of the mature Band C of CFTR protein by Western blotting. Moreover, hAMSC-CFBE co-cultures, at a 1:5 ratio, showed a decrease in fluid absorption, as opposed to CFBE cell monolayers that displayed a great rate of fluid resorption from the apical side. Our data show that human amniotic MSCs can be used in co-culture with CF respiratory epithelial cells to model their engraftment into the airways and have the potential to resume a tight epithelium with partial correction of the CF phenotype.

Human Amnion-Derived Cells: Prospects for the Treatment of Lung Diseases

Lung diseases represent a significant burden of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Current therapies have not proven adequate in the long term and are often associated with significant side effects. There has been recent interest in the regenerative/reparative potential of cell-based therapies, including cells derived from the placental tissues. Amnion-derived cells are fetal-derived and characterized by expression profile and differentiative capacity of pluripotent cells. Moreover, because placenta is discarded after delivery, they represent an ethical source for the purposes of regenerative medicine. Amnion-derived cells are endowed with immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, anti-scarring and antibacterial properties, which may explain many of the beneficial effects observed with administration of the cells in animal models for a large number of inflammatory diseases. Both human amniotic epithelial cells (hAEC) and mesenchymal stromal cells (hAMSC) have been shown to acquire in vitro and in vivo some characteristics of epithelial cells, i.e. CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator) and surfactant proteins. Administration of hAEC or hAMSC in vivo in the bleomycin-induced lung injury model has proven their therapeutic effects in term of reduction of pulmonary fibrosis and inflammation, as well as recovery of lung mechanical function. Many biological and clinical information have to be gathered before proposing amnion-derived cells in the clinic for the treatment of acute and chronic lung diseases.

Enhanced differentiation potential of human amniotic mesenchymal stromal cells by using three-dimensional culturing

The therapeutic potential of human amniotic mesenchymal stromal cells (hAMSCs) remains limited because of their differentiation towards mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) following adherence. The aim of this study was to develop a three-dimensional (3-D) culture system that would permit hAMSCs to differentiate into cardiomyocyte-like cells. hAMSCs were isolated from human amnions of full-term births collected after Cesarean section. Immunocytochemistry, immunofluorescence and flow cytometry analyses were undertaken to examine hAMSC marker expression for differentiation status after adherence. Membrane currents were determined by patch clamp analysis of hAMSCs grown with or without cardiac lysates. Freshly isolated hAMSCs were positive for human embryonic stem-cell-related markers but their marker profile significantly shifted towards that of MSCs following adherence. hAMSCs cultured in the 3-D culture system in the presence of cardiac lysate expressed cardiomyocyte-specific markers, in contrast to those maintained in standard adherent cultures or those in 3-D cultures without cardiac lysate. hAMSCs cultured in 3-D with cardiac lysate displayed a cardiomyocyte-like phenotype as observed by membrane currents, including a calcium-activated potassium current, a delayed rectifier potassium current and a Ca(2+)-resistant transient outward K(+) current. Thus, although adherence limits the potential of hAMSCs to differentiate into cardiomyocyte-like cells, the 3-D culture of hAMSCs represents a more effective method of their culture for use in regenerative medicine.

Changes in CDKN2D,TP53, and miR125a expression: potential role in the evaluation of human amniotic fluid‐derived mesenchymal stromal cell fitness

Human amniotic fluid-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (hAMSC) have become one of the main cell populations used in regenerative medicine and for the study of various clinical disorders. These cells have a great capacity for proliferation and differentiation and do not form teratomas when transplanted into animal models, and their stemness seems to be between embryonic cells and adult mesenchymal cells. Before their use in cell therapy, they must be cultured and expanded in vitro, but the effect this process has on their fitness, a determining factor for the success or failure of cell therapy, is unknown. We undertook a follow-up of gene and microRNAs (miRNAs) expression using microarray of hAMSC for the first 15 passages. Significant changes were noted in the expression of various mRNAs and miRNAs, particularly down-regulation of TP53, increased expression of hsa-miR-125a and up-regulation of CDKN2D . The variations in TP53 and hsa-miR-125a may act as an indicator of the stemness of the hAMSC, whereas CDKN2D may indicate the begging of early senescence process in a p53-independent mechanism. The genes described in this study will help evaluate the fitness of hAMSC, thus guaranteeing their biological quality for use in regenerative medicine.

A Combined Synthetic-Fibrin Scaffold Supports Growth and Cardiomyogenic Commitment of Human Placental Derived Stem Cells

AimsA potential therapy for myocardial infarction is to deliver isolated stem cells to the infarcted site. A key issue with this therapy is to have at one's disposal a suitable cell delivery system which, besides being able to support cell proliferation and differentiation, may also provide handling and elastic properties which do not affect cardiac contractile function. In this study an elastic scaffold, obtained combining a poly(ether)urethane-polydimethylsiloxane (PEtU-PDMS) semi-interpenetrating polymeric network (s-IPN) with fibrin, was used as a substrate for in vitro studies of human amniotic mesenchymal stromal cells (hAMSC) growth and differentiation.Methodology/Principal FindingsAfter hAMSC seeding on the fibrin side of the scaffold, cell metabolic activity and proliferation were evaluated by WST-1 and bromodeoxyuridine assays. Morphological changes and mRNAs expression for cardiac differentiation markers in the hAMSCs were examined using immunofluorescence and RT-PCR analysis. The beginning of cardiomyogenic commitment of hAMSCs grown on the scaffold was induced, for the first time in this cell population, by a nitric oxide (NO) treatment. Following NO treatment hAMSCs show morphological changes, an increase of the messenger cardiac differentiation markers [troponin I (TnI) and NK2 transcription factor related locus 5 (Nkx2.5)] and a modulation of the endothelial markers [vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and kinase insert domain receptor (KDR)].Conclusions/SignificanceThe results of this study suggest that the s-IPN PEtU-PDMS/fibrin combined scaffold allows a better proliferation and metabolic activity of hAMSCs cultured up to 14 days, compared to the ones grown on plastic dishes. In addition, the combined scaffold sustains the beginning of hAMSCs differentiation process towards a cardiomyogenic lineage.

Oxygen tension effect on the chondrogenic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells seeded in pepmha hydrogels

Oxygen tension effect on the chondrogenic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells seeded in pepmha hydrogels

Evaluation of a low cost cryopreservation system on the biology of human amniotic fluid-derived mesenchymal stromal cells

BackgroundHuman amniotic-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (hAMSC) are a novel population of multipotent stem cells that have been shown to have great potential for use in regenerative medicine. However, procedures to store and preserve hAMSC for future clinical applications have not been explored extensively. MethodsIn this study, we analyzed the influence of cryopreservation, using a protocol based on freezing rate of 1°C/min, 10% dimethyl sulfoxide as cryoprotectant and a thawing rate >100°C/min, on hAMSC morphology, proliferation rates, viability, cell cycle, karyotype, immune phenotype and multilineage differentiation potential. ResultsThis study found that this cryopreservation protocol does not affect the biological properties of hAMSC. DiscussionThis shows that this protocol is a viable system for banking hAMSC, with the associated advantages that has a low cost in terms of expense, time and personnel involved and is easy to implement.

Generation of induced Pluripotent Stem Cells from Human Amnion Epithelium

Generation of induced Pluripotent Stem Cells from Human Amnion Epithelium

Horse fetal adnexa: a source of mesenchymal and epithelial stem cells-like

Horse fetal adnexa: a source of mesenchymal and epithelial stem cells-like

Immunoregulatory properties of human amniotic mesenchymal stromal cells: a comparison to human adipose derived stem cells

Immunoregulatory properties of human amniotic mesenchymal stromal cells: a comparison to human adipose derived stem cells

Isolation and Characterization of Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Amniotic Fluid and Chorionic Villi

Isolation and Characterization of Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Amniotic Fluid and Chorionic Villi