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We have characterized several potential stem cell markers and defined the membrane properties of rat fetal (E10.5) neural stem cells (NSC) by immunocytochemistry,electrophysiology and microarray analysis. Immunocytochemical analysis demonstrates specificity of expression of Sox1,ABCG2/Bcrp1,and shows that nucleostemin labels both progenitor and stem cell populations. NSCs,like hematopoietic stem cells,express high levels of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) as assessed by Aldefluor labeling. Microarray analysis of 96 transporters and channels showed that Glucose transporter 1 (Glut1/Slc2a1) expression is unique to fetal NSCs or other differentiated cells. Electrophysiological examination showed that fetal NSCs respond to acetylcholine and its agonists,such as nicotine and muscarine. NSCs express low levels of tetrodotoxin (TTX) sensitive and insensitive sodium channels and calcium channels while expressing at least three kinds of potassium channels. We find that gap junction communication is mediated by connexin (Cx)43 and Cx45,and is essential for NSC survival and proliferation. Overall,our results show that fetal NSCs exhibit a unique signature that can be used to determine their location and assess their ability to respond to their environment. View Publication

A large membrane proteinase 3 (mPR3)-positive neutrophil subset (mPR3high) is a risk for Wegener's granulomatosis (WG). The relationship between mPR3 expression and clinical manifestations was investigated in 81 WG patients and mPR3 expression was studied in CD34+ stem cell-derived human neutrophils. The mPR3high neutrophil percentage correlated with renal function,anemia,and albumin at the time of presentation. The mPR3high neutrophil percentage and renal failure severity correlated directly after 5 yr. For elucidating mechanisms that govern mPR3 expression,studies were conducted to determine whether the genetic information that governs mPR3 expression resides within the neutrophils,even without stimuli possibly related to disease. CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells were differentiated to neutrophils,and their mPR3 expression was determined. A two-step amplification/differentiation protocol was used to differentiate human CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells into neutrophils with G-CSF. The cells progressively expressed the neutrophil surface markers CD66b,CD35,and CD11b. The ferricytochrome C assay demonstrated a strong respiratory burst at day 14 in response to PMA but none at day 0. Intracellular PR3 was detectable from day 4 by Western blotting. An increasing percentage of a mPR3-positive neutrophil subset became detectable by flow cytometry,whereas a second subset remained negative,consistent with a bimodal expression. Finally,human PR3-anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies induced a stronger respiratory burst,compared with human control IgG in stem cell-derived neutrophils. Taken together,these studies underscore the clinical importance of the WG mPR3 phenotype. The surface mPR3 on resting cells is probably genetically determined rather than being dictated by external factors. View Publication

Recurrent chromosomal alterations have been repeatedly reported in cultured human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). The effects of these alterations on the capability of pluripotent cells to differentiate and on growth potential of their specific differentiated derivatives remain unclear. Here,we report that the hESC lines HUES-7 and -9 carrying multiple chromosomal alterations produce in vitro mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that show progressive growth arrest and enter senescence after 15 and 16 passages,respectively. There was no difference in their proliferative potential when compared with bone marrow-derived MSCs. Array comparative genomic hybridization analysis (aCGH) of hESCs and their mesenchymal derivatives revealed no significant differences in chromosomal alterations,suggesting that genetically altered hESCs are not selected out during differentiation. Our findings indicate that genetically unstable hESCs maintain their capacity to differentiate in vitro into MSCs,which exhibit an in vitro growth pattern of normal MSCs and not that of transformed cells. View Publication

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are capable of down-regulating alloimmune responses and promoting the engraftment of hematopoietic stem cells. MSCs may therefore be suitable for improving donor-specific tolerance induction in solid-organ transplantation. Cells from cadaveric vertebral bone marrow (V-BM),aspirated iliac crest-BM,and peripheral blood progenitor cells were compared. Cells were characterized by flow cytometry and colony assays. MSCs generated from V-BM were assayed for differentiation capacity and immunomodulatory function. A median 5.7 x 10(8) nucleated cells (NCs) were recovered per vertebral body. The mesenchymal progenitor,colony-forming unit-fibroblast,frequency in V-BM (11.6/10(5) NC,range: 6.0-20.0) was considerably higher than in iliac crest-BM (1.4/10(5) NC,range: 0.4-2.6) and peripheral blood progenitor cells (not detectable). MSC generated from V-BM had the typical MSC phenotype (CD105(pos)CD73(pos)CD45(neg)CD34(neg)),displayed multilineage differentiation potential,and suppressed alloreactivity in mixed lymphocyte reactions. V-BM may be an excellent source for MSC cotransplantation approaches. View Publication

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are being tested in a wide range of human diseases; however,loss of potency and inconsistent quality severely limit their use. To overcome these issues,we have utilized a developmental precursor called the hemangioblast as an intermediate cell type in the derivation of a highly potent and replenishable population of MSCs from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). This method circumvents the need for labor-intensive hand-picking,scraping,and sorting that other hESC-MSC derivation methods require. Moreover,unlike previous reports on hESC-MSCs,we have systematically evaluated their immunomodulatory properties and in vivo potency. As expected,they dynamically secrete a range of bioactive factors,display enzymatic activity,and suppress T-cell proliferation that is induced by either allogeneic cells or mitogenic stimuli. However,they also display unique immunophenotypic properties,as well as a smaller size and textgreater30,000-fold proliferative capacity than bone marrow-derived MSCs. In addition,this is the first report which demonstrates that hESC-MSCs can inhibit CD83 up-regulation and IL-12p70 secretion from dendritic cells and enhance regulatory T-cell populations induced by interleukin 2 (IL-2). This is also the first report which shows that hESC-MSCs have therapeutic efficacy in two different autoimmune disorder models,including a marked increase in survival of lupus-prone mice and a reduction of symptoms in an autoimmune model of uveitis. Our data suggest that this novel and therapeutically active population of MSCs could overcome many of the obstacles that plague the use of MSCs in regenerative medicine and serve as a scalable alternative to current MSC sources. View Publication

In recent years,mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been shown to inhibit T-lymphocyte proliferation induced by alloantigens or mitogens. However,no substantial information is available regarding their effect on natural killer (NK) cells. Here we show that MSCs sharply inhibit IL-2-induced proliferation of resting NK cells,whereas they only partially affect the proliferation of activated NK cells. In addition,we show that IL-2-activated NK cells (but not freshly isolated NK cells) efficiently lyse autologous and allogeneic MSCs. The activating NK receptors NKp30,NKG2D,and DNAM-1 represented the major receptors responsible for the induction of NK-mediated cytotoxicity against MSCs. Accordingly,MSCs expressed the known ligands for these activating NK receptors-ULBPs,PVR,and Nectin-2. Moreover,NK-mediated lysis was inhibited when IFN-gamma-exposed MSCs were used as target cells as a consequence of the up-regulation of HLA class I molecules at the MSC surface. The interaction between NK cells and MSCs resulted not only in the lysis of MSCs but also in cytokine production by NK cells. These results should be taken into account when evaluating the possible use of MSCs in novel therapeutic strategies designed to improve engraftment or to suppress graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in bone marrow transplantation. View Publication

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) are multipotent postnatal stem cells that have been used for the treatment of bone defects and graft-versus-host diseases in clinics. In this study,we found that subcutaneously transplanted human BMMSCs are capable of organizing hematopoietic progenitors of recipient origin. These hematopoietic cells expressed multiple lineages of hematopoietic cell associated markers and were able to rescue lethally irradiated mice,with successful engraftment in the recipient,suggesting a potential bone marrow (BM) resource for stem cell therapies. Furthermore,we found that platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) promotes the formation of BMMSC-generated BM niches through upregulation of beta-catenin,implying that the PDGF pathway contributes to the formation of ectopic BM. These results indicate that the BMMSC-organized BM niche system represents a unique hematopoietic progenitor resource possessing potential clinical value. View Publication

We studied the immunoregulatory features of murine mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in vitro and in vivo. MSCs inhibited T-cell receptor (TCR)-dependent and -independent proliferation but did not induce apoptosis on T cells. Such inhibition was paired with a decreased interferon (IFN)-gamma and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha production and was partially reversed by interleukin-2 (IL-2). Thus,we used MSCs to treat myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)35-55-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in C57BL/6J mice. We injected intravenously 1 x 10(6) MSCs before disease onset (preventive protocol) and at different time points after disease occurrence (therapeutic protocol). MSC administration before disease onset strikingly ameliorated EAE. The therapeutic scheme was effective when MSCs were administered at disease onset and at the peak of disease but not after disease stabilization. Central nervous system (CNS) pathology showed decreased inflammatory infiltrates and demyelination in mice that received transplants of MSCs. T-cell response to MOG and mitogens from MSC-treated mice was inhibited and restored by IL-2 administration. Upon MSC transfection with the enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP),eGFP(+) cells were detected in the lymphoid organs of treated mice. These data suggest that the immunoregulatory properties of MSCs effectively interfere with the autoimmune attack in the course of EAE inducing an in vivo state of T-cell unresponsiveness occurring within secondary lymphoid organs. View Publication

Human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the potential to differentiate into mesenchymal tissues like osteocytes,chondrocytes,and adipocytes in vivo and in vitro. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro differentiation of MSCs into cells of the endothelial lineage. MSCs were generated out of mononuclear bone marrow cells from healthy donors separated by density gradient centrifugation. Cells were characterized by flow cytometry using a panel of monoclonal antibodies and were tested for their potential to differentiate along different mesenchymal lineages. Isolated MSCs were positive for the markers CD105,CD73,CD166,CD90,and CD44 and negative for typical hematopoietic and endothelial markers. They were able to differentiate into adipocytes and osteocytes after cultivation in respective media. Differentiation into endothelial-like cells was induced by cultivation of confluent cells in the presence of 2% fetal calf serum and 50 ng/ml vascular endothelial growth factor. Laser scanning cytometry analysis of the confluent cells in situ showed a strong increase of expression of endothelial-specific markers like KDR and FLT-1,and immunofluorescence analysis showed typical expression of the von Willebrand factor. The functional behavior of the differentiated cells was tested with an in vitro angiogenesis test kit where cells formed characteristic capillary-like structures. We could show the differentiation of expanded adult human MSCs into cells with phenotypic and functional features of endothelial cells. These predifferentiated cells provide new options for engineering of artificial tissues based on autologous MSCs and vascularized engineered tissues. View Publication

Stem cells have been shown to respond to extracellular mechanical stimuli by regulating their fate through the activation of specific signaling pathways. In this work,an array of iron nanowires (NWs) aligned perpendicularly to the surface was fabricated by pulsed electrodepositon in porous alumina templates followed by a partial removal of the alumina to reveal 2-3 μm of the NWs. This resulted in alumina substrates with densely arranged NWs of 33 nm in diameter separated by 100 nm. The substrates were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) energy dispersive x-ray analysis and vibrating sample magnetometer. The NW array was then used as a platform for the culture of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). The cells were stained for the cell nucleus and actin filaments,as well as immuno-stained for the focal adhesion protein vinculin,and then observed by fluorescence microscopy in order to characterize their spreading behavior. Calcein AM/ethidium homodimer-1 staining allowed the determination of cell viability. The interface between the cells and the NWs was studied using SEM. Results showed that hMSCs underwent a re-organization of actin filaments that translated into a change from an elongated to a spherical cell shape. Actin filaments and vinculin accumulated in bundles,suggesting the attachment and formation of focal adhesion points of the cells on the NWs. Though the overall number of cells attached on the NWs was lower compared to the control,the attached cells maintained a high viability (>90%) for up to 6 d. Analysis of the interface between the NWs and the cells confirmed the re-organization of F-actin and revealed the adhesion points of the cells on the NWs. Additionally,a net of filopodia surrounded each cell,suggesting the probing of the array to find additional adhesion points. The cells maintained their round shape for up to 6 d of culture. Overall,the NW array is a promising nanostructured platform for studying and influencing hMSCs differentiation. View Publication

Purpose: The bone marrow microenvironment is considered a critical component in the dissemination and fate of cancer cells in the metastatic process. We explored the possible correlation between bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSC) and disseminated breast cancer-initiating cells (BCIC) in primary breast cancer patients. Experimental design: Bone marrow mononuclear cells (BM-MNC) were collected at the time of primary surgery in 12 breast cancer patients. BM-MNC was immunophenotyped and BCIC was defined as epithelial cells (CD326+CD45-) with a stem-like" phenotype (CD44+CD24low/-� View Publication

Administration of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is an innovative approach for the treatment of a range of diseases that are not curable by current therapies including heart failure. A number of clinical trials have been completed and many others are ongoing; more than 2,000 patients worldwide have been administered with culture-expanded allogeneic or autologous MSCs for the treatment of various diseases,showing feasibility and safety (and some efficacy) of this approach. However,protocols for isolation and expansion of donor MSCs vary widely between these trials,which could affect the efficacy of the therapy. It is therefore important to develop international standards of MSC production,which should be evidence-based,regulatory authority-compliant,of good medical practice grade,cost-effective,and clinically practical,so that this innovative approach becomes an established widely adopted treatment. This review article summarizes protocols to isolate and expand bone marrow-derived MSCs in 47 recent clinical trials of MSC-based therapy,which were published after 2007 onwards and provided sufficient methodological information. Identified issues and possible solutions associated with the MSC production methods,including materials and protocols for isolation and expansion,are discussed with reference to relevant experimental evidence with aim of future clinical success of MSC-based therapy. View Publication