Human Wharton’s Jelly Stem Cell Secretions Inhibit Human Leukemic Cell Line K562 in vitro by Inducing Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis

Abstract

Emerging resistance to the tyrosine kinase inhibitors that target the BCR-ABL1 oncoprotein has prompted research for novel therapeutics against chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Herein, we evaluated the tumor inhibitory properties of the human Wharton’s jelly stem cells (hWJSCs) co-culture (hWJSC-CC) and their extracts, namely, the hWJSC-conditioned medium (hWJSC-CM; 100%) and hWJSC-lysate (hWJSC-L; 15 μg/ml), on a CML cell line K562 in vitro. The hWJSCs expressed mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-related cluster of differentiation (CD) markers and demonstrated mesodermal tissue differentiation potential. The cell metabolic activity showed a mean maximal decrease in the K562 cells by 49.12, 41.98, and 68.80% following treatment with the hWJSC-CC, hWJSC-CM, and hWJSC-L, respectively, at 72 h. The sub-G1 population in the cell cycle was decreased by 3.2, 4.5, and 3.8% following treatment with the hWJSC-CC, hWJSC-CM, and hWJSC-L, whereas the G2/M cell population was increased by 13.7 and 12.5% with the hWJSC-CM and hWJSC-L, respectively, at 48 h. Annexin V–allophycocyanin (APC) assay showed an increase in the apoptotic cells by 4.0, 3.9, and 4.5% at 48 h. The expression of pro-apoptotic BAX and CASP3 genes were increased, whereas BIRC5 (Survivin) was decreased compared with the control. The pro-inflammation-related genes, namely, IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-12A, were decreased, whereas the anti-inflammatory genes, namely, IL-4 and IL-10, were increased following treatment with the hWJSC-CC, hWJSC-CM, and hWJSC-L at 48 h. Multiplex bead-based cytokine assay also demonstrated decreases in the pro-inflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-12) and an increase in the anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) compared with the control. The pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-8 showed an increase with the hWJSC-CC and decreases with both the hWJSC-CM and the hWJSC-L. The hWJSCs and their extracts inhibited the K562 cells by causing cell cycle arrest and inducing apoptosis via the soluble cellular factors. However, an in vivo evaluation is necessary to unravel the true potential of the hWJSCs and their extracts before its use in CML inhibition.

Hyperthermia‐stimulated tonsil‐mesenchymal stromal cells suppress hematological cancer cells through downregulation of IL‐6

“…Especially under febrile temperature conditions, T‐MSC‐CMs caused a significant decrease in the cells in the S phase fraction. These results obtained with K562 cells are similar to the findings on the study carried out by Huwaikem et al 68 Besides, in the study by Fathi et al, 69 it was reported that coculture of bone marrow derived MSCs with K562 cells caused cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase. However, T‐MSC‐CMs prepared under different conditions in MOLT‐4 cells caused the arrest in the different cell fractions in these cells.…”

Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells conditioned medium exerts anti-tumor effects on KGN cells in a cell density-dependent manner through activation of the Hippo pathway

“…It is reported similar promotive effect on apoptosiscell and cycle arrest in human leukemic cell line K562 treated with hUCMSCs and their extracts [50]. Besides, hUCMSC extracts are reported to inhibit ovarian cancer cell lines OVCAR3 and SKOV3 in vitro by inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis [11].…”

6,7-Dimethoxycoumarin Influences the Erythroid Differentiation of Human Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia K562 Cells through Regulating FOXO3/p27 Signal Pathway

“…Disregulation of the cell cycle is a sign of the progress of cancer cells, so preventing the progress of the cell cycle or inducing apoptosis is considered to be an important strategy for cancer treatment [ 30 ]. As we all know, cancer cells overcome the surveillance of the host and continue to survive by inhibiting cell apoptosis.…”