Wharton's Jelly multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (WJ-MSCs) hold potential for regenerative medicine, particularly in soft tissue engineering. However, their adipogenic differentiation capacity is inferior to adipose tissue-derived MSCs (AT-MSCs). This study aimed to optimize adipogenic differentiation for WJ-MSCs by leveraging insights from the comparative analysis of WJ- and AT-MSC lipidomic profiles. Lipidomic profiles of non-induced cells were compared, and adipogenic differentiation was induced with and without exogenous oleic or linoleic acid supplementation. Differentiation efficiency was determined based on lipid droplet formation, triglyceride (TG) content quantification, and the expression of adipogenic markers. Significant differences in TG composition were observed, with WJ-MSCs showing higher levels of 52-carbon TGs and AT-MSCs having more 56-carbon species. Both cell types had similar fatty acid (FA) profiles, with 18-carbon FAs making up over 50%. Adding oleic acid to the differentiation medium significantly enhanced lipid droplet formation and upregulated adipogenic markers in WJ-MSCs, aligning their adipogenic capacity more closely with AT-MSCs. In contrast, linoleic acid showed no significant benefits. The study underscores the critical role of the initial lipidomic profile in the adipogenic differentiation of MSCs. Supplementation with oleic acid represents a promising approach for improving adipogenic differentiation of WJ-MSCs and their utility in soft tissue engineering.

• Klíčová slova
• Adipogenic differentiation, Adipose tissue, Linoleic acid, Lipidomic profile, Multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells, Oleic acid, Triglycerides, Wharton’s jelly,
• MeSH
• adipogeneze * účinky léků   MeSH
• buněčná diferenciace účinky léků   MeSH
• kultivované buňky MeSH
• kyselina linolová farmakologie   MeSH
• kyselina olejová farmakologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• lipidomika * metody   MeSH
• mastné kyseliny * metabolismus   farmakologie   MeSH
• mezenchymální kmenové buňky * metabolismus   cytologie   účinky léků   MeSH
• triglyceridy metabolismus   MeSH
• tuková tkáň cytologie   metabolismus   MeSH
• Whartonův rosol * cytologie   metabolismus   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• kyselina linolová MeSH
• kyselina olejová MeSH
• mastné kyseliny * MeSH
• triglyceridy MeSH

BACKGROUND: Cytokine licensing with pro-inflammatory molecules, such as tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), has emerged as a promising strategy to enhance the therapeutic potential of multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). While licensing has demonstrated benefits for immunomodulation, its effects on other key MSC functions, including differentiation and paracrine activity, remain incompletely explored. In this study, we evaluated the transcriptomic, metabolomic, and functional changes induced by short-term TNF-α/IFN-γ priming of Wharton's jelly-derived MSCs (WJ-MSCs). METHODS: WJ-MSCs were expanded and exposed to TNF-α and IFN-γ (10 ng/ml each) for 24 h. Transcriptomic analysis was performed using RNA sequencing to identify differentially expressed genes related to immune modulation and lineage commitment. Metabolomic profiling was conducted using high-resolution mass spectrometry to assess changes in metabolic pathways. Functional assays evaluated the effects of cytokine priming on induced differentiation and growth factor secretion. RESULTS: Cytokine licensing induced notable alterations in gene expression, upregulating pathways linked to immune response, inflammation, and cytokine signalling. However, short-term cytokine treatment significantly attenuated the osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of MSCs, as evidenced by the reduced expression of RUNX2, ALP, CEBPA, and PPARG. The priming had a negligible effect on EGF, FGF-2, HGF, LIF, and SCF secretion. The production of VEGF-A and VEGF-C was elevated, although the levels remained low. Metabolomic analysis revealed enhanced kynurenine pathway activity, indicative of increased tryptophan catabolism, accompanied by elevated levels of fatty acids and polyamines. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate that TNF-α/IFN-γ priming reprograms WJ-MSCs by enhancing their immunomodulatory capacity at the expense of differentiation potential. These results highlight the need for tailored strategies to optimize MSC functionality for specific clinical applications.

• Klíčová slova
• Adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation, Cytokine priming, Metabolomics, Multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells, Secretome, Transcriptomics, Wharton’s jelly,
• MeSH
• buněčná diferenciace * účinky léků   MeSH
• cytokiny * farmakologie   MeSH
• imunomodulace * účinky léků   MeSH
• interferon gama * farmakologie   MeSH
• kultivované buňky MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mezenchymální kmenové buňky * metabolismus   cytologie   účinky léků   imunologie   MeSH
• TNF-alfa * farmakologie   MeSH
• Whartonův rosol * cytologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• cytokiny * MeSH
• interferon gama * MeSH
• TNF-alfa * MeSH

The widespread use of multipotent mesenchymal stromal cell-derived secretome (MSC-sec) requires optimal preservation methods. Lyophilization offers benefits like concentrating the secretome, reducing the storage volume, and making storage conditions more flexible. This study evaluated the influence of storage duration and temperature on lyophilized MSC-sec. The conditioned medium from Wharton's jelly MSCs was stored at - 80 °C or lyophilized with or without trehalose. Lyophilized formulations were kept at - 80 °C, - 20 °C, 4 °C, or room temperature (RT) for 3 and 30 months. After storage and reconstitution, the levels of growth factors and cytokines were assessed using multiplex assay. The storage of lyophilized MSC-sec at - 80 °C ensured biomolecule preservation for 3 and 30 months. Following 3 month storage at 4 °C and RT, a notable decrease occurred in BDNF, bNGF, and sVCAM-1 levels. Prolonged 30 month storage at the same temperatures significantly reduced BDNF, bNGF, VEGF-A, IL-6, and sVCAM-1, while storage at - 20 °C decreased BDNF, bNGF, and VEGF- A levels. Trehalose supplementation of MSC-sec improved the outcome during storage at 4 °C and RT. Proper storage conditions were crucial for the preservation of lyophilized MSC-sec composition. Short-term storage at various temperatures maintained over 60% of the studied growth factors and cytokines; long-term preservation was only adequate at -80 °C.

• MeSH
• cytokiny metabolismus   MeSH
• kryoprezervace metody   MeSH
• kultivační média speciální chemie   MeSH
• kultivované buňky MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• lyofilizace * MeSH
• mezenchymální kmenové buňky * metabolismus   cytologie   MeSH
• sekretom metabolismus   MeSH
• teplota MeSH
• trehalosa metabolismus   farmakologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• cytokiny MeSH
• kultivační média speciální MeSH
• trehalosa MeSH

The treatment of cartilage defects in trauma injuries and degenerative diseases represents a challenge for orthopedists. Advanced mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC)-based therapies are currently of interest for the repair of damaged cartilage. However, an approved system for MSC delivery and maintenance in the defect is still missing. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of autologous porcine bone marrow MSCs anchored in a commercially available polyglycolic acid-hyaluronan scaffold (Chondrotissue®) using autologous blood plasma-based hydrogel in the repair of osteochondral defects in a large animal model. The osteochondral defects were induced in twenty-four minipigs with terminated skeletal growth. Eight animals were left untreated, eight were treated with Chondrotissue® and eight received Chondrotissue® loaded with MSCs. The animals were terminated 90 days after surgery. Macroscopically, the untreated defects were filled with newly formed tissue to a greater extent than in the other groups. The histological evaluations showed that the defects treated with Chondrotissue® and Chondrotissue® loaded with pBMSCs contained a higher amount of hyaline cartilage and a lower amount of connective tissue, while untreated defects contained a higher amount of connective tissue and a lower amount of hyaline cartilage. In addition, undifferentiated connective tissue was observed at the edges of defects receiving Chondrotissue® loaded with MSCs, which may indicate the extracellular matrix production by transplanted MSCs. The immunological analysis of the blood samples revealed no immune response activation by MSCs application. This study demonstrated the successful and safe immobilization of MSCs in commercially available scaffolds and defect sites for cartilage defect repair.

• MeSH
• hydrogely MeSH
• kloubní chrupavka * chirurgie   MeSH
• krevní plazma MeSH
• mezenchymální kmenové buňky * fyziologie   MeSH
• miniaturní prasata MeSH
• modely u zvířat MeSH
• prasata MeSH
• tkáňové inženýrství MeSH
• transplantace mezenchymálních kmenových buněk * MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• hydrogely MeSH

The regulatory requirements in cell processing, in the choice of a biomaterial scaffold and in quality control analysis, have to be followed in the clinical application of tissue-engineered grafts. Confirmation of sterility during quality control studies requires prolonged storage of the cell-based construct. After storage, preservation of the functional properties of the cells is an important prerequisite if the cells are to be used for cell-based tissue therapies. The study presented here shows the generation of 3D constructs based on Wharton's jelly multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (WJ-MSCs) and the clinically-acceptable HyaloFast® scaffold, and the effect of two- and six-day hypothermic storage of 3D cell-based constructs on the functional properties of populated cells. To study the viability, growth, gene expression, and paracrine secretion of WJ-MSCs within the scaffolds before and after storage, xeno-free culture conditions, metabolic, qPCR, and multiplex assays were applied. The WJ-MSCs adhered and proliferated within the 3D HyaloFast®. Our results show different viability of the cells after the 3D constructs have been stored under mild (25 °C) or strong (4 °C) hypothermia. At 4 °C, the significant decrease of metabolic activity of WJ-MSCs was detected after 2 days of storage, with almost complete cell loss after 6 days. In mild hypothermia (25 °C) the decrease in metabolic activity was less remarkable, confirming the suitability of these conditions for cell preservation in 3D environment. The significant changes were detected in gene expression and in the paracrine secretion profile after 2 and 6 days of storage at 25 °C. The results presented in this study are important for the rapid transfer of tissue engineering approaches into clinical applications.

• Klíčová slova
• Hyalofast®, Wharton’s jelly, hypothermic storage, multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells, paracrine activity,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Chondropathies are increasing worldwide, but effective treatments are currently lacking. Mesenchymal stromal cell (MSCs) transplantation represents a promising approach to counteract the degenerative and inflammatory environment characterizing those pathologies, such as osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Umbilical cord- (UC-) MSCs gained increasing interest due to their multilineage differentiation potential, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory properties as well as higher proliferation rates, abundant supply along with no risks for the donor compared to adult MSCs. In addition, UC-MSCs are physiologically adapted to survive in an ischemic and nutrient-poor environment as well as to produce an extracellular matrix (ECM) similar to that of the cartilage. All these characteristics make UC-MSCs a pivotal source for a stem cell-based treatment of chondropathies. In this review, the regenerative potential of UC-MSCs for the treatment of cartilage diseases will be discussed focusing on in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies.

• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH

Preclinical and clinical studies with various stem cells, their secretomes, and extracellular vesicles (EVs) indicate their use as a promising strategy for the treatment of various diseases and tissue defects, including neurodegenerative diseases such as spinal cord injury (SCI) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Autologous and allogenic mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are so far the best candidates for use in regenerative medicine. Here we review the effects of the implantation of MSCs (progenitors of mesodermal origin) in animal models of SCI and ALS and in clinical studies. MSCs possess multilineage differentiation potential and are easily expandable in vitro. These cells, obtained from bone marrow (BM), adipose tissue, Wharton jelly, or even other tissues, have immunomodulatory and paracrine potential, releasing a number of cytokines and factors which inhibit the proliferation of T cells, B cells, and natural killer cells and modify dendritic cell activity. They are hypoimmunogenic, migrate toward lesion sites, induce better regeneration, preserve perineuronal nets, and stimulate neural plasticity. There is a wide use of MSC systemic application or MSCs seeded on scaffolds and tissue bridges made from various synthetic and natural biomaterials, including human decellularized extracellular matrix (ECM) or nanofibers. The positive effects of MSC implantation have been recorded in animals with SCI lesions and ALS. Moreover, promising effects of autologous as well as allogenic MSCs for the treatment of SCI and ALS were demonstrated in recent clinical studies.

• Klíčová slova
• amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, biomaterials, cell therapy, conditioned medium, exosomes, mesenchymal stem cells, neurodegenerative diseases, spinal cord injury,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH

Cell therapies represent a promising approach to slow down the progression of currently untreatable neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), as well as to support the reconstruction of functional neural circuits after spinal cord injuries. In such therapies, the grafted cells could either functionally integrate into the damaged tissue, partially replacing dead or damaged cells, modulate inflammatory reaction, reduce tissue damage, or support neuronal survival by secretion of cytokines, growth, and trophic factors. Comprehensive characterization of cells and their proliferative potential, differentiation status, and population purity before transplantation is crucial to preventing safety risks, e.g., a tumorous growth due to the proliferation of undifferentiated stem cells. We characterized changes in the proteome and secretome of human neural stem cells (NSCs) during their spontaneous (EGF/FGF2 withdrawal) differentiation and differentiation with trophic support by BDNF/GDNF supplementation. We used LC-MS/MS in SWATH-MS mode for global cellular proteome profiling and quantified almost three thousand cellular proteins. Our analysis identified substantial protein differences in the early stages of NSC differentiation with more than a third of all the proteins regulated (including known neuronal and NSC multipotency markers) and revealed that the BDNF/GDNF support affected more the later stages of the NSC differentiation. Among the pathways identified as activated during both spontaneous and BDNF/GDNF differentiation were the HIF-1 signaling pathway, Wnt signaling pathway, and VEGF signaling pathway. Our follow-up secretome analysis using Luminex multiplex immunoassay revealed significant changes in the secretion of VEGF and IL-6 during NSC differentiation. Our results further demonstrated an increased expression of neuropilin-1 as well as catenin β-1, both known to participate in the regulation of VEGF signaling, and showed that VEGF-A isoform 121 (VEGF121), in particular, induces proliferation and supports survival of differentiating cells.

• Klíčová slova
• SWATH-MS, VEGF, neural differentiation, neural stem cell, proliferation, proteome, secretome,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH