Secretion of rat tracheal epithelial cells induces mesenchymal stem cells to differentiate into epithelial cells

Abstract

Bone marrow MSCs (mesenchymal stem cells) can differentiate into various tissue cells, including epithelial cells. This presents interesting possibilities for cellular therapy, but the differentiation efficiency of MSCs is very low. We have explored specific inducing factors to improve the epithelial differentiation efficiency of MSCs. Under inducing conditions, MSCs differentiated into epithelial cells and expressed several airway epithelial markers using RTE (rat tracheal epithelial) cell secretions. Rat cytokine antibody array was used to detect cytokines of the RTE secretion components, in which 32 kinds of protein were found. Seven proteins [TRAIL (tumour necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand), VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), TGFβ1 (transforming growth factor β1), MMP-2 (metalloproteinases-2), OPN (osteopontin) and activin A in RTE secretions] were assayed using ELISA kits. The four growth factors (VEGF, BDNF, TGFβ1 and activin A) were involved in regulating stem cell growth and differentiation. We speculated that these four play a vital role in the differentiation of MSCs into epithelial cells by triggering appropriate signalling pathways. To induce epithelial differentiation, MSCs were cultured using VEGF, BDNF, TGFβ1 and activin A. Differentiated MSCs were characterized both morphologically and functionally by their capacity to express specific markers for epithelial cells. The data demonstrated that MSCs can differentiate into epithelial cells induced by these growth factors.

Activated Wnt signaling induces myofibroblast differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells, contributing to pulmonary fibrosis

“…Immunofluorescent analysis of MSC-Ad-CXCR4/GFP cells was performed as previously described (25). Briefly, MSCs transfected with Ad-GFP or Ad-CXCR4-GFP for 48 h were first fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde for 10 min.…”

Inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signaling promotes epithelial differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells and repairs bleomycin-induced lung injury

“…For detecting the effect of XAV939 on the differentiation of BM-MSCs or NIH/3T3, immunofluorescence analysis of BM-MSCs or NIH/3T3 was performed as described previously (35). The following primary antibodies were employed: Rabbit anti-collagen I, rabbit anti-occludin, and rabbit anti-SP-C (all antibodies were purchased from Abcam, Cambridge, MA).…”

Functional Effects of TGF-β1 on Mesenchymal Stem Cell Mobilization in Cockroach Allergen–Induced Asthma

“…MSCs are adult connective tissue progenitor cells with the ability of self-renewal and differentiation into multiple cell types, such as osteoblasts, adipocytes, chondrocytes, and fibroblasts (12). Of interest to us, MSCs can suppress lung inflammation (13) (14) and participate in tissue repair/remodeling by differentiating into a number of mature cell types such as epithelial cells (15-19) and fibroblasts/myofibroblasts (20). In mouse asthmatic models, MSCs are significantly increased in the lungs after allergen sensitization and challenge (13, 21-23), suggesting that MSCs may play a role in the pathogenesis of allergic asthma.…”