Ex vivo culture-amplified mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been studied because of their capacity for healing tissue injury. MSC transplantation is a valid approach for promoting the repair of damaged tissues and replacement of lost cells or to safeguard surviving cells, but currently the efficiency of MSC transplantation is constrained by the extensive loss of MSCs during the short post-transplantation period. Hence, strategies to increase the efficacy of MSC treatment are urgently needed. Iron overload, reactive oxygen species deposition, and decreased antioxidant capacity suppress the proliferation and regeneration of MSCs, thereby hastening cell death. Notably, oxidative stress (OS) and deficient antioxidant defense induced by iron overload can result in ferroptosis. Ferroptosis may inhibit cell survival after MSC transplantation, thereby reducing clinical efficacy. In this review, we explore the role of ferroptosis in MSC performance. Given that little research has focused on ferroptosis in transplanted MSCs, further study is urgently needed to enhance the in vivo implantation, function, and duration of MSCs.
Humans ; Antioxidants/metabolism* ; Ferroptosis ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells ; Iron Overload/metabolism*

Dental stem cells (DSCs), an important source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), can be easily obtained by minimally invasive procedures and have been used for the treatment of various diseases. Classic paradigm attributed the mechanism of their therapeutic action to direct cell differentiation after targeted migration, while contemporary insights into indirect paracrine effect opened new avenues for the mystery of their actual low engraftment and differentiation ability in vivo. As critical paracrine effectors, DSC-derived extracellular vesicles (DSC-EVs) are being increasingly linked to the positive effects of DSCs by an evolving body of in vivo studies. Carrying bioactive contents and presenting therapeutic potential in certain diseases, DSC-EVs have been introduced as promising treatments. Here, we systematically review the latest in vivo evidence that supports the therapeutic effects of DSC-EVs with mechanistic studies. In addition, current challenges and future directions for the clinical translation of DSC-EVs are also highlighted to call for more attentions to the (I) distinguishing features of DSC-EVs compared with other types of MSC-EVs, (II) heterogeneity among different subtypes of DSC-derived EVs, (III) action modes of DSC-EVs, (IV) standardization for eligible DSC-EVs and (V) safety guarantee for the clinical application of DSC-EVs. The present review would provide valuable insights into the emerging opportunities of DSC-EVs in future clinical applications.
Cell Differentiation ; Extracellular Vesicles/metabolism* ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation/methods* ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells/metabolism*

Diabetic bladder dysfunction (DBD) is a common complication in the lower urinary tract of diabetes. In recent years, mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) have broad application prospects in the treatment of DBD. MSC can migrate to damaged bladder tissue and differentiate into various cell types, such as urothelial cells, myofibroblasts, smooth muscle cells and nerve cells, promote bladder tissue repair and regeneration through paracrine effects. In addition, MSC also intervene in the pathological process of DBD, reverse disease progression, and restore partial bladder function through immune regulation, improvement of oxidative stress, and regulation of blood glucose. At present, the treatment of DBD with MSC is limited to preclinical animal experiments, clinical research and application should be pursued further.
Animals ; Urinary Bladder ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells ; Diabetes Mellitus/metabolism*

The high neurogenic potential of dental and oral-derived stem cells due to their embryonic neural crest origin, coupled with their ready accessibility and easy isolation from clinical waste, make these ideal cell sources for neuroregeneration therapy. Nevertheless, these cells also have high propensity to differentiate into the osteo-odontogenic lineage. One strategy to enhance neurogenesis of these cells may be to recapitulate the natural physiological electrical microenvironment of neural tissues via electroactive or electroconductive tissue engineering scaffolds. Nevertheless, to date, there had been hardly any such studies on these cells. Most relevant scientific information comes from neurogenesis of other mesenchymal stem/stromal cell lineages (particularly bone marrow and adipose tissue) cultured on electroactive and electroconductive scaffolds, which will therefore be the focus of this review. Although there are larger number of similar studies on neural cell lines (i.e. PC12), neural stem/progenitor cells, and pluripotent stem cells, the scientific data from such studies are much less relevant and less translatable to dental and oral-derived stem cells, which are of the mesenchymal lineage. Much extrapolation work is needed to validate that electroactive and electroconductive scaffolds can indeed promote neurogenesis of dental and oral-derived stem cells, which would thus facilitate clinical applications in neuroregeneration therapy.
Cell Differentiation ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells/metabolism* ; Neural Stem Cells/metabolism* ; Neurogenesis ; Tissue Scaffolds

A triple-transgenic (tyrosine hydroxylase/dopamine decarboxylase/GTP cyclohydrolase 1, TH/DDC/GCH1) bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell line (BMSCs) capable of stably synthesizing dopamine (DA) transmitters were established to provide experimental evidence for the clinical treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD) by using this cell line. The DA-BMSCs cell line that could stably synthesize and secrete DA transmitters was established by using the triple transgenic recombinant lentivirus. The triple transgenes (TH/DDC/GCH1) expression in DA-BMSCs was detected using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blotting, and immunofluorescence. Moreover, the secretion of DA was tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Chromosome G-banding analysis was used to detect the genetic stability of DA-BMSCs. Subsequently, the DA-BMSCs were stereotactically transplanted into the right medial forebrain bundle (MFB) of Parkinson's rat models to detect their survival and differentiation in the intracerebral microenvironment of PD rats. Apomorphine (APO)-induced rotation test was used to detect the improvement of motor dysfunction in PD rat models with cell transplantation. The TH, DDC and GCH1 were expressed stably and efficiently in the DA-BMSCs cell line, but not expressed in the normal rat BMSCs. The concentration of DA in the cell culture supernatant of the triple transgenic group (DA-BMSCs) and the LV-TH group was extremely significantly higher than that of the standard BMSCs control group (P < 0.000 1). After passage, DA-BMSCs stably produced DA. Karyotype G-banding analysis showed that the vast majority of DA-BMSCs maintained normal diploid karyotypes (94.5%). Moreover, after 4 weeks of transplantation into the brain of PD rats, DA-BMSCs significantly improved the movement disorder of PD rat models, survived in a large amount in the brain microenvironment, differentiated into TH-positive and GFAP-positive cells, and upregulated the DA level in the injured area of the brain. The triple-transgenic DA-BMSCs cell line that stably produced DA, survived in large numbers, and differentiated in the rat brain was successfully established, laying a foundation for the treatment of PD using engineered culture and transplantation of DA-BMSCs.
Rats ; Animals ; Dopamine ; Parkinson Disease/metabolism* ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells/metabolism* ; Cell Line ; Brain/metabolism* ; Cell Differentiation ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation

As the theory of stem cell plasticity was first proposed, we have explored an alternative hypothesis for this phenomenon: namely that adult bone marrow (BM) and umbilical cord blood (UCB) contain more developmentally primitive cells than hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). In support of this notion, using multiparameter sorting we were able to isolate small Sca1+Lin-CD45- cells and CD133+Lin-CD45- cells from murine BM and human UCB, respectively, which were further enriched for the detection of various early developmental markers such as the SSEA antigen on the surface and the Oct4 and Nanog transcription factors in the nucleus. Similar populations of cells have been found in various organs by our team and others, including the heart, brain and gonads. Owing to their primitive cellular features, such as the high nuclear/cytoplasm ratio and the presence of euchromatin, they are called very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs). In the appropriate in vivo models, VSELs differentiate into long-term repopulating HSCs, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), lung epithelial cells, cardiomyocytes and gametes. In this review, we discuss the most recent data from our laboratory and other groups regarding the optimal isolation procedures and describe the updated molecular characteristics of VSELs.
Animals ; Cell Lineage ; Cell Separation/*methods ; Embryonic Stem Cells/*cytology/metabolism ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells/*cytology/metabolism ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells/*cytology/metabolism ; Pluripotent Stem Cells/cytology/metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To explore the improvement effect of CXC chemokine receptor 4 (Cxcr4) gene-modified bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC)-derived exosomes on aplastic anemia (AA), and make a preliminary exploration of the mechanism. METHODS: Mouse BMSCs were isolated and cultured, then infected by recombinant lentivirus carrying Cxcr4 gene. The expression of green fluorescence was observed through fluorescence microscope, the expression of Cxcr4 mRNA was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR, and the BMSC-derived exosomes modified with Cxcr4 gene were extracted. Mouse models of AA were constructed, and control group, model group (AA), AA+BMSC group, AA+NC-BMSC group, AA+Cxcr4-BMSC group were set up. Except control group and model group, the other three groups of mice were injected 400 μl exosomes from different sources via the tail vein, after 2 weeks, the routine blood indices and the number of bone marrow nucleated cells were detected, the pathological changes of bone marrow were observed by HE staining, and the expression level of Treg cells was detected by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Mouse BMSCs were successfully isolated, and BMSCs with high expression of Cxcr4 and their exosomes were obtained. Compared with the control group, the number of red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC), and platelet (PLT), the hemoglobin (Hb) content and proportion of Treg cells in the peripheral blood of mice in the model group significantly decreased (P<0.01), as well as the number of bone marrow nucleated cells (P<0.01). The proliferation level of nucleated cells was low, and the medullary cavity was filled with a large number of fat cells. Compared with the model group, the number of RBC, WBC, PLT, the Hb content and proportion of Treg cells in the peripheral blood of mice in the AA+BMSC group, AA+NC-BMSC group, and AA+Cxcr4-BMSC group significantly increased (P<0.01), as well as the number of bone marrow nucleated cells (P<0.01), and pathological changes of bone marrow were improved. In addition, the number of RBC, WBC, PLT, the Hb content and proportion of Treg cells in the peripheral blood of mice in the AA+Cxcr4-BMSC group were significantly higher than those in the AA+BMSC group (P<0.01), as well as the number of bone marrow nucleated cells (P<0.01). CONCLUSION Injection of Cxcr4 gene-modified BMSC-derived exosomes has a certain improvement effect on AA mice, and the mechanism may be related to an increase of the proportion of Treg cells.
Anemia, Aplastic/metabolism* ; Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; Exosomes/metabolism* ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells ; Mice ; Receptors, CXCR4

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) is widely used in cell therapy because of its high proliferative and multi directional differentiation potential as well as its low immunogenicity. The transplantation of MSC can help the repair of the injured organs, however, the MSC transplanted to the local organs are affected by oxidative stress and lead to premature aging or apoptosis. Heme oxygenase 1 (HO1) is a key ratelimiting enzyme in the process of heme metabolism, which has the functions of antiinflammation, antioxidation, antiapoptosis, antiaging, reducing cell damage and promoting angiogenesis. Induced high expression of HO1 in MSC could increase the ability of MSC against oxidative stress injury, delay the senescence and apoptosis of MSC, and alleviate cell injury. In this reviews, the research progress of HO1 on antioxidative stress injury of MSC.
Apoptosis ; Cell Differentiation ; Heme Oxygenase-1/metabolism* ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells ; Oxidative Stress

In recent years, the application of cell-based therapy in the field of refractory wound repair has shown broad prospects, among which the mesenchymal stem cell is the most concerned and widely studied cell type. Despite the rapid development of clinical translational research, the therapeutic effect of cell-based therapy is not consistent, and most clinical trials have not achieved the desired results. Further studies have found that heterogeneity is an important issue that restricts the further development of cell-based therapy and urgently needs to be studied. Based on the research progress of mesenchymal stem cells, in the review, we discuss the current status and challenges of cell-based therapy strategies for refractory wounds.
Translational Research, Biomedical ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells/metabolism* ; Stem Cell Transplantation ; Wound Healing

In recent years, mesenchymal stem cell (MSCs)-derived exosomes have attracted much attention in the field of tissue regeneration. Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes are signaling molecules for communication among cells. They are characterized by natural targeting and low immunogenicity, and are mostly absorbed by cells through the paracrine pathway of mesenchymal stem cells. Moreover, they participate in the regulation and promotion of cell or tissue regeneration. As a scaffold material in regenerative medicine, hydrogel has good biocompatibility and degradability. Combining the two compounds can not only improve the retention time of exosomes at the lesion site, but also improve the dose of exosomes reaching the lesion site by in situ injection, and the therapeutic effect in the lesion area is significant and continuous. This paper summarizes the research results of the interaction of exocrine and hydrogel composite materials to promote tissue repair and regeneration, in order to facilitate research in the field of tissue regeneration in the future.
Hydrogels/metabolism* ; Exosomes/metabolism* ; Wound Healing ; Regenerative Medicine ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells/metabolism*