Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived from Human Bone Marrow and Adipose Tissue Maintain Their Immunosuppressive Properties After Chondrogenic Differentiation: Role of HLA-G

Stem Cells Dev. 2016 Oct 1;25(19):1454-69. doi: 10.1089/scd.2016.0022. Epub 2016 Jul 27.

Abstract

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have emerged as alternative sources of stem cells for regenerative medicine because of their multipotency and strong immune-regulatory properties. Also, human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) is an important mediator of MSC-mediated immunomodulation. However, it is unclear whether MSC retain their immune-privileged potential after differentiation. As promising candidates for cartilage tissue engineering, the immunogenic and immunomodulatory properties of chondro-differentiated MSC (chondro-MSC) require in-depth exploration. In the present study, we used the alginate/hyaluronic acid (Alg/HA) hydrogel scaffold and induced both bone marrow- and adipose tissue-derived MSC into chondrocytes in three-dimensional condition. Then, MSC before and after chondrocyte differentiation were treated or not with interferon γ and tumor necrosis factor α mimicking inflammatory conditions and were compared side by side using flow cytometry, mixed lymphocyte reaction, and immunostaining assays. Results showed that chondro-MSC were hypoimmunogenic and could exert immunosuppression on HLA-mismatched peripheral blood mononuclear cells as well as undifferentiated MSC did. This alloproliferation inhibition mediated by MSC or chondro-MSC was dose dependent. Meanwhile, chondro-MSC exerted inhibition on natural killer cell-mediated cytolysis. Also, we showed that HLA-G expression was upregulated in chondro-MSC under hypoxia context and could be boosted in allogenic settings. Besides, the Alg/HA hydrogel scaffold was hypoimmunogenic and its addition for supporting MSC chondrocyte differentiation did not modify the immune properties of MSC. Finally, considering their chondro-regenerative potential and their retained immunosuppressive capacity, MSC constitute promising allogenic sources of stem cells for cartilage repair.

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue / cytology*
  • Alginates / pharmacology
  • Antibodies / pharmacology
  • Bone Marrow Cells / cytology*
  • Bone Marrow Cells / drug effects
  • Cell Differentiation* / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cellular Microenvironment / drug effects
  • Chondrocytes / cytology
  • Chondrocytes / drug effects
  • Chondrocytes / metabolism
  • Chondrogenesis* / drug effects
  • Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / drug effects
  • Glucuronic Acid / pharmacology
  • HLA-DR Antigens / metabolism
  • HLA-G Antigens / metabolism*
  • Hexuronic Acids / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Hyaluronic Acid / pharmacology
  • Immunosuppression Therapy*
  • Interferon-gamma / pharmacology
  • Killer Cells, Natural / cytology
  • Killer Cells, Natural / drug effects
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / drug effects
  • T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • T-Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / pharmacology

Substances

  • Alginates
  • Antibodies
  • HLA-DR Antigens
  • HLA-G Antigens
  • Hexuronic Acids
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Interferon-gamma
  • Glucuronic Acid
  • Hyaluronic Acid