Growth factor and cytokine expression of human mesenchymal stromal cells is not altered in an in vitro model of tissue damage.
OBJECTIVE
The beneficial effect of human (h) mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) transplantation in a variety of cell-based intervention strategies is widely believed to be because of paracrine mechanisms. The modification of hMSC cytokine and growth-factor expression patterns were studied following exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and tissue homogenates (representing tissue debris) from normal and pathologic tissues.


METHODS
Human bone marrow-derived MSC were stimulated with LPS or exposed to homogenate from normal or pathologic rat spinal cord or heart. The expression profiles of a number of cytokines and growth factors were investigated using quantitative reverse transcription (RT)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with human-specific primers. The effects of tissue homogenates on hMSC proliferation and migratory behavior were also investigated.


RESULTS
Stimulation of hMSC with LPS resulted in an up-regulation of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and IL-8. However, the pattern of up-regulation varied between donor samples. Furthermore, LPS treatment resulted in a donor-dependent alteration of growth factor expression. Induction of a shift in expression pattern was not observed following exposure to homogenates from either normal or pathologic tissues. Tissue homogenates did stimulate cell proliferation, but not migration.


CONCLUSIONS
The hMSC expression pattern is apparently stable, even when cells are confronted by debris from different tissue types. However, treatment of hMSC with LPS is able to change the expression of cytokines and growth factors in a donor-dependent manner that may enhance their potential use in regenerative medicine.
Montzka
Katrin
K
Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Germany. kmontzka@ukaachen.de
Führmann
Tobias
T
Müller-Ehmsen
Jochen
J
Wöltje
Michael
M
Brook
Gary A
GA
D000818:Animals; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000473:pathology; D002465:Cell Movement; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000378:metabolism / Q000601:surgery; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D014020:Tissue Extracts / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*
D016207:Cytokines; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D014020:Tissue Extracts