Cytokine secretion by human mesenchymal stem cells cocultured with damaged corneal epithelial cells.
We have previously shown that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) reduced corneal inflammation and neovascularization in chemically-burned rat corneas in part through paracrine action. In order to identify the molecule(s) involved, we cocultured human MSCs in the following conditions, and examined the alterations in the cytokine secretion profile; (1) human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (hPBMCs), (2) chemically-damaged human corneal epithelial cells (hCECs), (3) hPBMCs/hCECs, (4) hMSCs, (5) hMSCs/hPBMCs, (6) hMSCs/hCECs, (7) hMSCs/hPBMCs/hCECs. We found that the levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by hMSCs markedly increased for hMSC/hCEC cocultures, and this elevation was further remarkable by the addition of hPBMCs. The hMSCs constitutively expressed transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, and thrombospondin-1. The secretion of MMP-9 by hCECs was significantly suppressed by hMSCs. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interferon (IFN)-gamma, and IL-10 were not detectable in any cultures. The data presented herein provide the candidate molecules mediating the MSC-mediated modulation of inflammation and angiogenesis in cornea.
Oh
Joo Youn
JY
Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 28 Yeongeon-dong, Chongno-gu, Seoul 110-744, Republic of Korea.
Kim
Mee Kum
MK
Shin
Mi Sun
MS
Wee
Won Ryang
WR
Lee
Jin Hak
JH
D002460:Cell Line; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018920:Coculture Techniques / Q000379:methods; D003315:Cornea / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic
D016207:Cytokines; D015850:Interleukin-6