Functional mesenchymal stem cells derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells attenuate limb ischemia in mice.
BACKGROUND
Aging and aging-related disorders impair the survival and differentiation potential of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and limit their therapeutic efficacy. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) may provide an alternative source of functional MSCs for tissue repair. This study aimed to generate and characterize human iPSC-derived MSCs and to investigate their biological function for the treatment of limb ischemia.


RESULTS
Human iPSCs were induced to MSC differentiation with a clinically compliant protocol. Three monoclonal, karyotypically stable, and functional MSC-like cultures were successfully isolated using a combination of CD24(-) and CD105(+) sorting. They did not express pluripotent-associated markers but displayed MSC surface antigens and differentiated into adipocytes, osteocytes, and chondrocytes. Transplanting iPSC-MSCs into mice significantly attenuated severe hind-limb ischemia and promoted vascular and muscle regeneration. The benefits of iPSC-MSCs on limb ischemia were superior to those of adult bone marrow MSCs. The greater potential of iPSC-MSCs may be attributable to their superior survival and engraftment after transplantation to induce vascular and muscle regeneration via direct de novo differentiation and paracrine mechanisms.


CONCLUSIONS
Functional MSCs can be clonally generated, beginning at a single-cell level, from human iPSCs. Patient-specific iPSC-MSCs can be prepared as an "off-the-shelf" format for the treatment of tissue ischemia.
Lian
Qizhou
Q
Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. qzlian@hkucc.hku.hk
Zhang
Yuelin
Y
Zhang
Jinqiu
J
Zhang
Hua Kun
HK
Wu
Xingang
X
Zhang
Yang
Y
Lam
Francis Fu-Yuen
FF
Kang
Sarang
S
Xia
Jian Chuan
JC
Lai
Wing-Hong
WH
Au
Ka-Wing
KW
Chow
Yen Yen
YY
Siu
Chung-Wah
CW
Lee
Chuen-Neng
CN
Tse
Hung-Fat
HF
D017667:Adipocytes / Q000166:cytology; D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002460:Cell Line; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000166:cytology; D002999:Clone Cells / Q000637:transplantation; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000235:genetics; D006614:Hindlimb / Q000098:blood supply*; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D007511:Ischemia / Q000601:surgery*; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D016513:Mice, SCID; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000166:cytology; D010011:Osteocytes / Q000166:cytology; D019899:Paracrine Communication; D039904:Pluripotent Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000637:transplantation; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013724:Teratoma / Q000473:pathology; D014161:Transduction, Genetic; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous
D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins