Human Multipotent Progenitor Cells Research Articles

Differences in the intrinsic chondrogenic potential of human mesenchymal stromal cells and iPSC-derived multipotent cells.

Human multipotent progenitor cells (hiMPCs) created from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) represent a new cell source for cartilage regeneration. In most studies, bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are needed to enhance transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ)-induced hiMPC chondrogenesis. In contrast, TGFβ alone is sufficient to result in robust chondrogenesis of human primary mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs). Currently, the mechanism underlying this difference between hiMPCs and hMSCs has not been fully understood. In this study, we first tested different growth factors alone or in combination in stimulating hiMPC chondrogenesis, with a special focus on chondrocytic hypertrophy. The reparative capacity of hiMPCs-derived cartilage was assessed in an osteochondral defect model created in rats. hMSCs isolated from bone marrow were included in all studies as the control. Lastly, a mechanistic study was conducted to understand why hiMPCs and hMSCs behave differently in responding to TGFβ. Chondrogenic medium supplemented with TGFβ3 and BMP6 led to robust in vitro cartilage formation from hiMPCs with minimal hypertrophy. Cartilage tissue generated from this new method was resistant to osteogenic transition upon subcutaneous implantation and resulted in a hyaline cartilage-like regeneration in osteochondral defects in rats. Interestingly, TGFβ3 induced phosphorylation of both Smad2/3 and Smad1/5 in hMSCs, but only activated Smad2/3 in hiMPCs. Supplementing BMP6 activated Smad1/5 and significantly enhanced TGFβ's compacity in inducing hiMPC chondrogenesis. The chondro-promoting function of BMP6 was abolished by the treatment of a BMP pathway inhibitor. This study describes a robust method to generate chondrocytes from hiMPCs with low hypertrophy for hyaline cartilage repair, as well as elucidates the difference between hMSCs and hiMPCs in response to TGFβ. Our results also indicated the importance of activating both Smad2/3 and Smad1/5 in the initiation of chondrogenesis.

Effect of human amnion-derived multipotent progenitor cells on hematopoietic recovery after total body irradiation in C57BL/6 mice

Effect of human amnion-derived multipotent progenitor cells on hematopoietic recovery after total body irradiation in C57BL/6 mice

Small Molecule Induction of Human Umbilical Stem Cells into Myelin Basic Protein Positive Oligodendrocytes in a Defined Three-Dimensional Environment

Stem cells from umbilical cord would be a favorable alternative to embryonic stem cells for therapeutic applications. In this study, human multipotent progenitor cells (MLPCs) from umbilical cord were differentiated into oligodendrocytes by exposure to a range of microenvironmental chemical and physical cues. Chemical cues were represented by a novel defined differentiation medium containing the neurotransmitter norepinephrine (NE). In traditional 2 dimensional (2D) conditions, the MLPCs differentiated into oligodendrocyte precursors, but did not progress further. However, in a 3 dimensional (3D) environment, the MLPCs differentiated into committed oligodendrocytes that expressed MBP. The apparent method of interaction of NE in stimulating the differentiation process was identified to occur through the adenergic pathway while all prior differentiation methods have used other routes. This novel method of obtaining functional human oligodendrocytes from MLPCs would eliminate many of the difficulties associated with their differentiation from embryonic stem cells.

Functional abnormalities of heparan sulfate in mucopolysaccharidosis-I are associated with defective biologic activity of FGF-2 on human multipotent progenitor cells

AbstractIn mucopolysaccharidosis-I (MPS-I), α-L-iduronidase deficiency leads to progressive heparan sulfate (HS) and dermatan sulfate (DS) glycosaminoglycan (GAG) accumulation. The functional consequences of these accumulated molecules are unknown. HS critically influences tissue morphogenesis by binding to and modulating the activity of several cytokines (eg, fibroblast growth factors [FGFs]) involved in developmental patterning. We recently isolated a multipotent progenitor cell from postnatal human bone marrow, which differentiates into cells of all 3 embryonic lineages. The availability of multipotent progenitor cells from healthy volunteers and patients with MPS-I (Hurler syndrome) provides a unique opportunity to directly examine the functional effects of abnormal HS on cytokine-mediated stem-cell proliferation and survival. We demonstrate here that abnormally sulfated HS in Hurler multipotent progenitor cells perturb critical FGF-2–FGFR1-HS interactions, resulting in defective FGF-2–induced proliferation and survival of Hurler multipotent progenitor cells. Both the mitogenic and survival-promoting activities of FGF-2 were restored by substitution of Hurler HS by normal HS. This perturbation of critical HS–cytokine receptor interactions may represent a mechanism by which accumulated HS contributes to the developmental pathophysiology of Hurler syndrome. Similar mechanisms may operate in the pathogenesis of other diseases where structurally abnormal GAGs accumulate.

Human multipotential progenitor cells (CFU-GEMM) have extensive replating capacity for secondary CFU-GEMM: an effect enhanced by cord blood plasma

The replating capability of human umbilical cord blood (CB) multipotential (CFU-GEMM) progenitors was assessed in vitro as an estimate of self-renewal using erythropoietin (Epo), steel factor (SLF), and either fetal bovine serum (FBS) or CB plasma. This study found a much higher replating efficiency for CB CFU-GEMM than previously reported, in terms of the percentage of colonies that could be replated, the number of secondary colonies per replated primary colony, and the size of secondary colonies. Moreover, the majority of secondary colonies were CFU-GEMM-derived. Although the percentages of bone marrow CFU-GEMM that replate was similar to that for CB CFU-GEMM and the sizes of secondary bone marrow and CB CFU-GEMM were also similar, replated CB CFU-GEMM gave rise to far greater numbers of secondary colonies. No tertiary colonies were observed when secondary CFU-GEMM were replated. Detection of extensive secondary replating potential was enhanced by the addition of CB plasma to the cultures. This activity was not found in either adult blood (PB) plasma, umbilical cord vein endothelial cell-conditioned medium (ECCM), FBS plus ECCM, or FBS plus the combination of interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-3, IL-6, IL-11, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, and granulocyte- macrophage colony-stimulating factor. Whether the CB plasma-enhancing activity for CFU-GEMM replating capacity is attributable to a novel factor or factors, or represents effects of other known cytokines, alone or in combination, remains to be determined. Of particular relevance, these studies suggest that human CFU-GEMM have some degree of stemness and perhaps should be classified as a subset of stem cells.

Human Multipotential Progenitor Cells (CFU-GEMM) Have Extensive Replating Capacity for Secondary CFU-GEMM: An Effect Enhanced by Cord Blood Plasma

The replating capability of human umbilical cord blood (CB) multipotential (CFU-GEMM) progenitors was assessed in vitro as an estimate of self-renewal using erythropoietin (Epo), steel factor (SLF), and either fetal bovine serum (FBS) or CB plasma. This study found a much higher replating efficiency for CB CFU-GEMM than previously reported, in terms of the percentage of colonies that could be replated, the number of secondary colonies per replated primary colony, and the size of secondary colonies. Moreover, the majority of secondary colonies were CFU-GEMM-derived. Although the percentages of bone marrow CFU-GEMM that replate was similar to that for CB CFU-GEMM and the sizes of secondary bone marrow and CB CFU-GEMM were also similar, replated CB CFU-GEMM gave rise to far greater numbers of secondary colonies. No tertiary colonies were observed when secondary CFU-GEMM were replated. Detection of extensive secondary replating potential was enhanced by the addition of CB plasma to the cultures. This activity was not found in either adult blood (PB) plasma, umbilical cord vein endothelial cell-conditioned medium (ECCM), FBS plus ECCM, or FBS plus the combination of interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-3, IL-6, IL-11, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. Whether the CB plasma-enhancing activity for CFU-GEMM replating capacity is attributable to a novel factor or factors, or represents effects of other known cytokines, alone or in combination, remains to be determined. Of particular relevance, these studies suggest that human CFU-GEMM have some degree of stemness and perhaps should be classified as a subset of stem cells.